Victor Avila for Texas Land Commissioner 14 Feb 2022

Mr. Victor Avila is a retired Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeking the Republican nomination to serve as Texas Land Commissioner. ICE enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration to promote homeland security and public safety. Mr. Avila has been recognized by ICE and HSI for his exemplary service and professional accomplishments while serving as Special Agent at the El Paso Field Office and as an Assistant Attaché assigned to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez and U.S. Embassies located in Spain, Portugal, and Mexico City. Mr. Avila served as an accredited diplomat and liaison to the aforementioned governments conducting international complex criminal investigations in a wide range of violations such as narcotics trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking/smuggling, financial violations, commercial fraud, and counter-terrorism.

While on official assignment in Mexico, Special Agent Avila suffered multiple gunshot wounds and survived a violent ambush by the Mexican Los Zetas drug cartel where Special Agent Jaime Zapata tragically lost his life.