THE WEEK’S US BORDER NEWS IN BRIEF:
First Panels of the “Big Bend Border Wall” Are Up:
Erection of the first panels of Texas' Big Bend “Border Wall” tops this week’s US Border Newsletter. News of this development was first reported by Travis Bubenik of Marfa Public Radio and Laiken Jordahl of the Center for Biological Diversity on Thursday, September 17, 2026:
Their reports documented the beginning of construction of what is known as “Big Bend 1,” which accounts for just over 47 miles of the 175-mile-long project in the Big Bend, and importantly does NOT include either the Big Bend National Park or State Park further upriver along the Rio Grande, which has generated the most opposition to the project (and where construction has been “temporarily” paused).
Four Killed in US Attack of Suspected Drug Smuggling Boat:
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, US Military forces attacked a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean, killing all four people aboard the vessel:
The Associated Press reports that the US has now killed more than 230 people aboard 69 boats since the Trump Administration ordered the attacks to begin almost a year ago.
Florida Fishing Charter Boat Lands a Drone:
Also on Saturday, September 19, 2026, Pensacola-based Hot Spot Fishing Charters discovered an unmarked, unmanned aerial vehicle floating in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida West Coast. After taking some photos documenting their “catch,” the craft was turned over to the U.S. military, which has not commented on the incident.
The craft in the photos strongly resemble a Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), a cloned version of Iran’s Shahad-136 drones that the US military has acknowledged deploying to the Middle East and is continuing to upgrade and test in the US.
ICE-Involved Shooting in Austin, Texas
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was involved in a shooting in North Austin that sent a man to the hospital in “serious, but stable condition,” according to the Associated Press. Few details have been released, and Texas Democratic Congressmen Greg Cesar and Joaquin Castro are demanding “body camera footage and full accountability.”
Dumbest Smuggling Attempt Ever?
In what may possibly be the dumbest (or boldest) drug smuggling attempt ever, on Friday, September 18, 2026, US Border Patrol Chief Rosario “Pete” Vasquez relayed an unbelievable story from his agents at a remote checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas. When their K-9 suddenly showed interest in a commercial van that rolled up packed with boxes of loose “cigarettes,” they asked the driver for the manifest to better understand what he was hauling. Incredibly, the shipment was described as “NON-MARIJUANA.”
Predictably, tests revealed it to be - (I know you’ll be shocked) - ACTUAL MARIJUANA!
The large load of loose joints weighed in at almost 1,500 pounds with a street value above a million dollars.
FINALLY, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
(Stories covered by US Border News during the past week)
Cartel Smuggling Runs Targeted
Measure is backed by ‘dark money’ donors
Extradition battle with Texas ends
Pleads not guilty in federal court
Opposition crosses party lines
Spicing Up Hispanic Heritage Month
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
