The Monitor

A 23-year-old Pharr man was arrested Wednesday after authorities found him to be selling counterfeit items of luxury name brands that would be valued at over $165,000 had those items been genuine.

Pharr man accused of selling counterfeit luxury merchandise bought in China

Immigration enforcement has undergone a sea change since President Donald Trump took office for the second time in January 2025, and the effects are being felt across all facets of the federal court system.

“It’s a very, very difficult time to practice law in immigration, and a very difficult time to be an immigrant in this country or have a family member that is an immigrant,” said Jaime Diez, who has practiced immigration and nationality law for 27 years.

Federal civil immigration filings in Rio Grande Valley up 789% in 2026 Federal courts throughout the United States are overwhelmed.