Overview

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection revoked or suspended the tourist visas of Sonia Villarreal Pérez and her husband, Jorge Miguel Barajas Hernández, when they attempted to cross at the Piedras Negras–Eagle Pass bridge on August 20, returning them to Mexico.
• Villarreal confirmed to Proceso that officers told her she could not enter and that her visa was canceled as she sought prenatal care with her obstetrician in San Antonio.
• She said CBP gave no written justification and directed her to contact the U.S. consulate, and she plans to apply again for a visa after resting ahead of delivery.
• Villarreal believes the action was related to her advanced pregnancy, and coverage links the case to stepped-up U.S. efforts to deter so‑called birth tourism, although authorities have not stated a cause.
• Barajas serves as a regional police commander and previously had ties to the GATES unit noted in past reporting for alleged abuses, while Coahuila authorities have issued limited public comment on the visa cancellations.