Caught on camera: Drones track eight illegal crossings in real time | Bradley on the Border

About this episode

This episode explores a joint operation by Texas law enforcement and Border Patrol to track illegal crossings using drone technology.

On the heels of President Donald Trump saying zero people are crossing the border right now, NewsNation rode along exclusively with the Department of Public Safety in Texas as they conducted a joint operation with Border Patrol to go after those trying to evade arrest. In this episode of "Bradley on the Border," we see what immigration officials are up against in the Rio Grande Valley when it comes to human smuggling and stash houses, as well as tracking down the "got-aways." Using live drone feeds, agents track a group of eight who crossed the river illegally, watching in real time as troopers and federal agents converge to cut off the group before they can load into a vehicle and disappear into Texas. Ali speaks with a DPS official about what it takes to make the operation work, including how state and federal charges are being used in tandem to close loopholes cartels once exploited. #RioGrandeValley #immigration #BorderPatrol CREDITS Host: Ali Bradley Executive Producer: Andy Gipson Editorial Producer: Meagan Medick Segment Producer: Christine Jenkinson Associate Producer: Will Tomasi Photographer: Chris Mosher Editor: David Pellenz On "Bradley on the…

People in this episode

Host: Ali Bradley

Topics covered

• border security
• immigration
• human smuggling
• law enforcement
• drones
• real-time tracking

Keywords

• illegal crossings
• drones
• human smuggling
• Border Patrol
• Texas
• Rio Grande Valley
• immigration enforcement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Department of Public Safety, Border Patrol

Places: Texas, Rio Grande Valley

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• Catching Cartels: Cracking Down on Smuggling Tunnels | Bradley on the Border · June 5, 2026 · 14 min
• Border Expo: New tech and the future of border security | Bradley on the Border · May 14, 2026 · 7 min
• Tech from Border Security Expo 2026 unveiled to NewsNation | Bradley on the Border · May 7, 2026 · 14 min
• One-on-one with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche | Bradley on the Border · May 6, 2026 · 13 min
• Former DEA admin: 'We have significant security threats' | Bradley on the Border · April 30, 2026 · 26 min
• Retired Border Patrol chief's warning to the US | Bradley on the Border · April 23, 2026 · 29 min