Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against a longtime supervisory officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alleging he knowingly harbored an immigrant living in the United States without legal status while maintaining a personal relationship with her. According to the complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, the woman was not only Andres Wilkinson’s romantic partner but also his niece, a detail that emerged during a months-long internal investigation.
The case, centered in Laredo, Texas, raises questions about professional conduct, conflicts of interest, and the responsibilities of federal law enforcement officials tasked with enforcing immigration law. Investigators allege that Wilkinson, who has nearly a quarter-century of experience with CBP and holds supervisory authority, provided financial support and housing to the woman after she overstayed a temporary visa. Authorities say he continued the relationship despite being aware of her immigration status and allegedly helped her move through Border Patrol checkpoints near the southern border.
Federal officials describe the situation as a deliberate violation of immigration law by an officer whose duties included overseeing its enforcement. If convicted, Wilkinson could face significant legal consequences, including a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years and a substantial financial penalty. The charges come after months of investigation by internal oversight officials and follow a sequence of events involving visa expiration, an abandoned green card petition, and surveillance that ultimately led to the woman’s detention earlier in 2026.
Federal Allegations and the Immigration Status at the Center of the Case
The criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors outlines a timeline beginning in August 2023, when the woman entered the United States on a temporary visa. According to investigators, she remained in the country beyond the authorized period of stay, thereby losing lawful immigration status. Officials allege that Andres Wilkinson was aware of this development but continued to provide assistance that included housing, credit cards, transportation, and help with financial obligations.
Prosecutors contend that these forms of support constitute harboring under federal law, which prohibits knowingly providing shelter or assistance to individuals who remain in the country without legal authorization. The complaint further alleges that Wilkinson and the woman traveled together through Border Patrol checkpoints, suggesting that he used his position and familiarity with enforcement procedures while maintaining the relationship.
The investigation also revealed complications surrounding the woman’s marital and immigration history. Authorities say she was married to another man who had filed a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services seeking lawful permanent resident status on her behalf. That petition, filed in January 2024, was later withdrawn in April 2025. The cancellation removed a potential pathway to legal residency, leaving her without a pending application that might have provided interim protection from removal.
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According to federal investigators, Wilkinson nevertheless continued to support her financially and personally after the petition was canceled. The complaint states that internal investigators eventually confirmed that the woman had been living with him since August 2024. Authorities say the arrangement persisted even as questions about the nature of their relationship and her immigration status became the focus of formal scrutiny.
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The allegation that the woman is also Wilkinson’s niece adds an additional layer of complexity. Federal officials say information collected during the investigation indicated a familial relationship, and that Wilkinson had previously identified her father as his brother during an earlier background review. Investigators say this connection was substantiated during the course of their inquiry.
Internal Oversight and the Months-Long Investigation
The case emerged following a sustained investigation by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, the internal body responsible for examining misconduct within the agency. Officials began reviewing Wilkinson’s activities after observations suggested he was living with a woman whose immigration status might not be lawful.
According to the complaint, oversight investigators monitored Wilkinson’s interactions with the woman and her child for several months. In May 2025, they reportedly observed the three together, prompting a deeper examination of their living arrangements and relationship. The investigation expanded to include verification of immigration records, background documentation, and interviews with individuals connected to the case.
Authorities say the inquiry eventually led to the woman’s detention in February 2026. During questioning, she reportedly acknowledged that she had been residing with Wilkinson since the summer of 2024. Investigators also determined that Wilkinson’s earlier background documentation listed a family connection consistent with the claim that she was his niece.
The investigation’s findings were compiled into a criminal complaint that alleges Wilkinson knowingly violated federal law. Officials say the case was referred to federal prosecutors after internal oversight investigators concluded that sufficient evidence existed to support criminal charges. At the time the charges were announced, Wilkinson had already made an initial court appearance and remained in custody pending a detention hearing.
Officials indicated that he would continue to be held while the court determines whether he should be released under specific conditions or remain detained as the case proceeds. Requests for comment from Wilkinson’s legal representation had not received a public response at the time the allegations were reported. CBS News reported that CBP itself did not immediately respond to requests for official comment on the charges or the internal investigation that preceded them.
Professional Responsibilities, Career Background, and Potential Legal Consequences
Wilkinson’s professional history forms a significant part of the case’s broader context. According to federal officials, he has served with CBP for nearly 25 years and was promoted to a supervisory position in 2021. In that role, his duties included overseeing the enforcement of immigration laws and supervising personnel responsible for border security operations.
Federal prosecutors emphasize that the charges stem not only from alleged violations of immigration law but also from the expectation that supervisory officers uphold the standards they are tasked with enforcing. The complaint characterizes Wilkinson’s conduct as inconsistent with his professional responsibilities, given his leadership role within the agency. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of as much as $250,000.
The potential penalties reflect the seriousness with which federal law treats harboring offenses, particularly when they involve individuals in positions of authority within law enforcement agencies. The legal proceedings will determine whether prosecutors can establish that Wilkinson knowingly provided assistance to a person he understood to be in the country unlawfully. The case may involve examination of financial records, travel documentation, communications, and testimony from investigators and other witnesses.
For federal agencies, cases involving internal misconduct often carry implications beyond the individual charged. Internal oversight processes, background review procedures, and supervisory accountability mechanisms may all come under scrutiny as the legal process unfolds. The allegations against Wilkinson arise in a context where immigration enforcement remains a central responsibility of the agency he served, making the charges particularly significant from an institutional perspective.
As the case moves forward through the federal court system, prosecutors will seek to demonstrate that Wilkinson’s actions met the legal threshold for harboring and related offenses. Defense attorneys are expected to challenge the interpretation of his conduct, the nature of his relationship with the woman, and the evidence gathered during the internal investigation.
The outcome will ultimately depend on judicial findings regarding intent, knowledge, and the factual record compiled by investigators and prosecutors. Federal officials have indicated that further proceedings, including detention hearings and pretrial motions, will shape the timeline and direction of the case as it progresses through the court system.