CBP Supervisor Charged with Harboring Illegal Alien 'Niece'

Authorities allege Andres Wilkinson III hid and supported an undocumented woman for over a year

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, Andres Wilkinson III, has been arrested and charged with allegedly harboring and transporting an illegal alien who prosecutors claim is his niece, Elva Edith Garcia-Vallejo. Wilkinson, a CBP supervisory officer since 2001, allegedly provided Garcia-Vallejo with housing, financial support, and transportation, despite knowing she lacked legal authorization to be in the United States.

Why it matters

This case highlights the apparent hypocrisy of a high-ranking CBP official charged with enforcing immigration laws, yet allegedly harboring an undocumented individual. It raises questions about potential abuse of power and the need for robust oversight within federal law enforcement agencies tasked with border security.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, Garcia-Vallejo entered the U.S. in August 2023 on a nonimmigrant visa that expired in February 2024. Prosecutors claim Wilkinson "financially supported her by providing his credit cards, housing, and assistance with her financial obligations" and that he drove her through Border Patrol checkpoints on multiple occasions. Investigators allegedly spotted Garcia-Vallejo and her daughter meeting with Wilkinson outside a school in Laredo, Texas, in May 2025.

  • Garcia-Vallejo entered the U.S. in August 2023 on a nonimmigrant visa that expired in February 2024.
  • In May 2025, CBP investigators allegedly spotted Garcia-Vallejo and her daughter meeting with Wilkinson outside a school in Laredo, Texas.
  • On February 5, 2026, CBP OPR detained Garcia-Vallejo, who allegedly admitted to living with Wilkinson since at least August 2024.

The players

Andres Wilkinson III

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervisory officer who has worked for the agency since May 2001.

Elva Edith Garcia-Vallejo

The daughter of a man whom Wilkinson listed as a brother in his 2023 background investigation, who prosecutors claim is an illegal alien that Wilkinson harbored and supported.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Wilkinson out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for rigorous oversight and accountability within federal law enforcement agencies, as it appears a high-ranking CBP official charged with enforcing immigration laws may have been actively undermining them by allegedly harboring an undocumented individual.