Author: KVIA

Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Socorro Early College Senior Ruben Escajeda is enjoying the last few months of his high school senior year.

The student at Socorro Early College (SEC) High School already received his associate degree in multidisciplinary studies from El Paso Community College in December 2025.

But his achievement also marks a big milestone for the Socorro Independent School District. He is the 3,000th SISD student to earn an associate degree through the district’s partnership with EPCC.

Despite being enrolled in college courses, Ruben has also been heavily involved in other school activities. He played left tackle for the Socorro Bulldogs. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society and participates in SEC’s Espirit De Corps leadership program. Through the STEP-UP program, he also mentors freshmen as they adjust to the challenges of early-college coursework.

Additionally, Ruben continues to rank in the top 5 percent of his class and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. He admits, it’s been a juggling act.

“I think there’s a lot of things I had to sacrifice time for. I had spent some time in sports, instead of time where I can just be to myself. I had to spend some time in the classroom instead of having time to myself. So I think it was a lot of time management and a lot of saying, ‘Okay. I need to focus here more instead of here more,’ he told ABC-7.

The college director and assistant principal of Socorro High, Erica O. Monarrez, said Ruben is a standout student.

“We’re very proud that our students here at Socorro High School are recognized for their hard work. Ruben’s a great model student that we have here at Socorro High School,” she said.

Inspired by his mother, an elementary school nurse, Ruben hopes to enter the medical field. Ruben is interested in becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Ruben is thankful he was able to take part in the early college program, which he said has helped him save time and money.

“I think it’s allowed me to get a head start at the things that I want to pursue in life. And I think it’s just a great way to start my career and start the things that I want to pursue as I grow older.”

Ruben will be graduating from Socorro High this June. He is planning to continue his studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Congratulations to Ruben on all of his achievements!

If you have any Good Vibes Only ideas, email rosemary.garcia@kvia.com.

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – It’s exciting news for programs that support mental health and emotional well-being across the borderland. The Paso del Norte Health Foundation (PdNHR) is accepting letters of intent. Organizations can outline their ideas for evidence-based programs for funding consideration. Applications are open now through April 7th.

The PdNHF is looking for organizations whose programs align with one or more of the following priorities:

Behavioral Health Consortium – Supports programs that address gaps in mental health and substance use systems, with an emphasis on strengthening coordination among regional behavioral health consortium stakeholders as informed by data.

Think.Change Initiative – Advances efforts to reduce stigma and negative bias associated with mental health conditions and substance use.

“By investing in evidence-based programs and strong partnerships, we can help close gaps in mental health care, reduce stigma, and ensure individuals and families receive the support they need to thrive,” said Sandra Day, PdNHF Program Officer.

The Foundation will only consider programs that are not currently supported by other funding sources, including government funding or health coverage reimbursement.

Organizations interested in applying can visit the Paso del Norte Health Foundation website.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) — The Department of Homeland Security announced this week that it placed Camp East Montana under quarantine due to a recent measles outbreak at the facility.

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center says now it will be more difficult for them to access dozens of their clients who are detained under ICE custody, because all legal access and visitations have been switched virtually.

ABC-7 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. In a statement they said that as of March 3, 2026, the Texas Department of Health confirmed active measles infections of 14 detainees at Camp East Montana in Texas.

“ICE Health Services Corps immediately took steps to quarantine and control further spread and infection, ceasing all movement within the facility and quarantining all individuals suspected of making contact with the infected,” said DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Media Relations, Lauren Bis.

“In-person visitation is currently suspended to protect the health and safety of the detainees, the staff, and the community. Detainees still have access to attorneys and visitation through Visual Attorney Visitation booths, tablets, or telephones,” DHS added. “Medical staff is continuing to monitor the detainees’ conditions and will take appropriate and active steps to prevent further infection.  All detainees are being provided with proper medical care.”

“It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care—including access to vaccines. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare that many aliens have received in their entire lives,” DHS added.  

Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 6.

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Nichole Gomez

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Each year, El Paso Inc. recognizes an individual who has helped advance El Paso over the last 12 months and sometimes even a lifetime.

For 2025, the publication announced local philanthropist and art advocate Judy Robison as the El Pasoan of the Year.

“I am incredibly honored,” said Robison when ABC-7 asked about receiving the honor. ABC-7 met one-on-one with Robison to talk about her achievement.

Robison still marvels at the Star Ceiling art installation in Downtown El Paso, calling it “the love of my life.”

She is credited with helping bring the installation to life.

It was created by El Paso artist Leo Villareal. It consists of a 120-foot suspended LED array featuring 13,500 energy-efficient LEDs that create non-repeating patterns. The work also includes zero-gravity benches and planters that feature species native to the Chihuahuan Desert.

The public installation is next to the El Paso Museum of Art and has become a defining piece in Downtown El Paso.

Robison was the driving force behind bringing the installation to life. She is credited with helping raise nearly $6 million in private funding to construct, install and maintain the project.

The project took nearly five years to complete. She said seeing the installation for the first time was overwhelming.

“It’s breathtaking and very, very gratifying,” she said.

Robison and her husband moved to El Paso in the early 1970s. Back then, the art scene looked very different than now.

“In the 70s and 80s, in El Paso was not thriving,” she said.

Robison would quickly become involved in the community. She has served on more than 30 boards, helping improve the quality of life in El Paso.

“I think it’s, the quality of life is so important in any community. But art has a lot of space for economic development. And, it’s just I’ve had a passion for it all my life, and it’s been important to me to share that passion with our community.”

Robison would also become a champion for the arts in El Paso.

“I have given a lot of my life to the arts and to really into health and welfare,” she said.

The outdoor terrace next to the museum was renamed after Robison. She said being named El Pasoan of the Year is the privilege of a lifetime.

“I am incredibly honored. I’m humbled by the people that have been in this position before me. And, it’s it’s just really an honor to be named El Pasoan of the Year.”

El Paso Inc. will celebrate Judy Robison and other awardees during this year’s luncheon. It’s happening on Tuesday, March 3rd at Hotel Paso Del Norte.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Starting March 5th, 2026, Texas will require proof of identity and legal status for vehicle titles and registrations.

The Texas Motor Vehicle Board approved a statewide rule directing county tax offices to verify documentation under this new instruction before processing original titles and registrations.

Eligible forms include REAL ID, compliant Texas IDs, passports, and permanent resident cards.

A one-year transition period will allow for training and compliance as registrations shift to require proof of legal status beginning January 1, 2027. County officials emphasize that the mandate applies statewide, not as a local policy.

Border-area dealerships could anticipate potential delays from customers. Some dealers expect shifts in vehicle business to neighboring states if cross-border processes are affected. The rule could even impact residents registering vehicles outside of Texas.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Each year, El Paso Inc. honors a person or group that embodies El Paso’s spirit, generosity and values. The 2025 Community Spirit Award went to Ray and Lilia Tullius, the founders of the Opportunity Center for the Homeless.

Today, the Opportunity Center is the largest provider of services to the unhoused within the El Paso community.

“We want to help everybody. It’s a challenge because we can’t. Sometimes we can’t,” Lilia explained.

For more than three decades, they have been committed to improving the lives of El Paso’s homeless population. Both Ray and Lilia were once homeless, so they sought to create a shelter that was inclusive and offered a wide variety of resources.

“We’re a little bit older than when we started. We look at some of the pictures, and I had hair, and she had dark hair. And, but we made it all work,” Ray said.

The couple began with an empty warehouse.

“And so, it’s come a long way from where it was before,” they said.

Now, their shelter spans over 10 different facilities across El Paso.

“I see the finger of God in this, in this work because it’s started to come together without us really knowing a lot about what to do and how to how to make it work,” Ray explained.

The shelter now takes in over 400 people every single night. The shelter assists thousands of people every single year.

The generosity and dedication of Ray and Lilia continues to be on full display.

Ray is still heavily involved in leadership, and Lilia continues to lead programs for women. They visit the facilities every week.

“I hope that we can retire someday. I don’t think so. No. We will stay in here as long. Retirement is not in our schedules,” they both explained.

John Martin, the shelter’s current deputy director, has been an employee for nearly 13 years. He has witnessed Ray and Lilia’s dedication firsthand.

“Ray is such an incredible man, and I think you even saw, he’s very humble. He truly, he said he does things because he knows it’s the right thing to do.”

Ray and Lilia feel humbled to receive this award that honors their service and generosity.

“I don’t think I have done anything to deserve it. I don’t think I, I’ve done, I think we did what we had to do. It’s something that everybody should do,” Lilia explained.

El Paso Inc. will celebrate Ray and Lilia Tullius during a luncheon. It’s happening on Tuesday, March 3rd at Hotel Paso Del Norte.

To learn more about the Opportunity Center for the Homeless, click here.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- TXDot’s “saved by the belt” campaign this month is reminding teens and young adults that seat belts save lives, but only if you wear them—for every seat, every ride. Lauren Macias-Cervantes explains that by instilling these habits now, we can help the next generation of drivers make safe driving decisions for the rest of their lives. 

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Chris Clem is a former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent and a former Deputy Chief Patrol Agent in the El Paso Sector; he also served as the acting Chief in the Big Bend Sector.

In El Paso, he spent over 17 years as Chief and Deputy Chief, both before and after leaving the Big Bend Sector.

The U.S. Department of War reportedly shot down a CBP drone in the Fort Hancock area of the border, which is in Hudspeth County near the edge of El Paso County.

“Drone operations were just beginning from the law enforcement side; we were just kind of experimenting with that when I was the Deputy Chief,” Clem said. “However, we were aware of drones on the south side being used to survey and cross the border to look for Border Patrol assets.”

At one point, Clem says they partnered with UTEP as a center of excellence to examine the drone threat and situation in El Paso.

“We have seen drones from video, raw video footage in Mexico, on cartels using that for explosive devices against other cartel members, so the potential threat is there,” Clem said. “I can tell you from my time as chief in Yuma, Arizona, where we encountered drones carrying small amounts of narcotics across the border from rooftop to backyard.”

For Clem, it’s clear that these situations and activities happen a lot along the U.S.-Mexico border, which is why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of War (DOW) on a more advanced counter-drone system for the border.

“For the longest time, at least that I can recall, most of that was dealt with by Customs and Border Protection and the FAA,” said Clem. “We didn’t work necessarily, at least I was not aware of, or I don’t recall us working directly with the military on the border with the counter-drone, but now I do know that has since changed under the current administration and obviously we wouldn’t be talking about it if it hadn’t happened over the last few weeks.”

Retired Border Patrol Chief Clem also spoke about concerns communities like El Paso have over possible drone cartel threats in the region, “We’re talking to El Pasoans who know that when you have a secure border, it is healthy and safe for both sides, whether you’re in Juarez or El Paso, when people can go back and forth freely without fear, when commerce and trade and travel, when you can just go across and have a nice dinner with your family and not worry, because we’ve had a secure border; that’s what we need to look at.”

“This is what these little hiccups are along the way; they’re disruptive, but at the end of the day, we’re looking for that safe and healthy border environment, and I think we’re well on our way. I would just encourage El Pasoans to continue to live their day and just be mindful of events. They’re well-experienced and know how things can happen quickly at the border.”

Clem also said that after the first aerospace shutdown in El Paso weeks ago, it seemed a little excessive for an isolated incident, but the federal government also had other classified information that wasn’t shared with the public.

“But then with this most recent one, I really thought, okay, we don’t want to be a pattern, right? We’ve got two incidents; there’s clearly a communication issue that needs to be resolved,” Clem said. “The threat is not going to be suspended; the bad guys (cartels) are not going to stop sending drones over the border because we are having a safety shutdown, so I imagine operations will continue, with a little bit more oversight, and decisions will probably have to be second- and third-order approvals before they fire off any kind of system.”

ABC-7 reached out to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) for comment; they redirected us to the Pentagon for any follow-up questions. ABC-7 also reached out to the offices of Congressman Tony Gonzales and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar for comment; they have not responded to our request.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to help promote healthy, respectful and safe relationships. However, it’s important to keep conversations going all year long.

Sandra Garcia, the executive director of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence in El Paso, told ABC-7 this is a community issue. They want to ensure all teens have healthy relationships.

This month helps educate teens about relationships and understanding the importance of boundaries. Garcia said teens should never feel isolated, controlled or manipulated.

“There’s just so many aspects that you can that be controlled either through social media, verbally, physically, or emotionally,” she said.

Garcia said 1 in 3 teens will be affected by teen dating violence every year in the United States. She also said they are the group least likely to ask for help.

James Montoya, the El Paso District Attorney, said it’s important to raise awareness about teen dating violence.

“All it takes is for someone to hear the right message one time to finally say, ‘This is enough. I am going to reach out for help and to end the cycle of violence,’” Montoya said.

Garcia said it’s critical for teens to recognize the difference between healthy relationships and unhealthy ones.

“So even beyond our teen years, we have different types of relationships, right? As we grow older, we even go in and out of relationships sometimes and start new ones. And so those are always important conversations to continue throughout,” Garcia said.

If you are in need of help, the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence has a 24/7 crisis hopeline at 915-593-7300.

For more resources, click here.

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