Carlos Rodriguez is Named Port Director for Hidalgo Port of Entry at Change of Command Ceremony

McAllen, Texas –U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations formally announced today at a change of command ceremony held at the McAllen, Texas Convention Center that Carlos Rodriguez has been selected as the new port director for the Hidalgo/ Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. Rodriguez succeeds Severiano Solis, the previous port director, who passed away last year after succumbing to illness.

“I am excited to serve as port director in a community with such a vibrant spirit but still with a hometown atmosphere. I have had initial meetings with key international trade, governmental and consular stakeholders from both sides of the border and look forward to working more closely with everyone. I am eager to apply experiences and efficiencies gleaned from working at other South Texas ports of entry in a constructive way to continually improve facilitation of lawful trade and travel while upholding our border security mission,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. 

Selected as the Hidalgo Port of Entry port director in June 2018, Port Director Rodriguez manages a workforce of over 560 employees staffed throughout three international bridge crossings, one commercial crossing, and two international airports, including Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas land border crossings, the Pharr import lot, the McAllen International Airport, and the Edinburg South Texas International User Fee Airport. 

Mr. Rodriguez served as the Port of Hidalgo interim port director from December 2017 to June 2018.  Prior to his selection to Hidalgo, Mr. Rodriguez led the Progreso Port of Entry as Port Director since September 2011.  As the port director at the Port of Progreso, he had oversight of two land border crossings, two international airports, and one commercial facility.  From 2015 to 2017, Port Director Rodriguez also served as the area commander for the South Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force – West, South Texas Corridor.

Mr. Rodriguez began his law enforcement career with the U.S. Customs Service in 1997 as a Customs inspector at the Laredo Port of Entry.  Throughout his stellar federal law enforcement career, Port Director Rodriguez has excelled in various leadership roles and specialized assignments.

Mr. Rodriguez has been an integral member of numerous CBP headquarters cross-functional work groups. He has provided in-depth working knowledge in the areas pertaining to trade, inbound and outbound commercial enforcement, targeting, as well as bulk cash and weapons smuggling interdiction.  PD Rodriguez assisted the CBP Associate Chief Counsel, providing subject matter expertise in railroad operations to include roles as a panel member of rail working groups in the U.S. and Mexico.  Mr. Rodriguez is also credited with the successful development of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) M1 module for truck, rail and the in-bond process. His ideas and recommendations were vital, as they were the cornerstone in the enhancement of testing and field validation of ACE M1.

Mr. Rodriguez is a native of South Texas - Rio Grande Valley and he and his wife of 19 years, Rachel, have two wonderful daughters; Victoria Andrea and Vanessa Rae.