TAMIU Criminal Justice Ph.D. Students Present Texas-México Border Crime Study at Conference in Greece
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Ph.D. in Criminal Justice students Carlos Alvarez, Lupe Garza, and Vanessa Almaraz presented their research findings on juvenile involvement in organized crime along the Texas-México border during the annual European Society of Criminology (ESC) EUROCRIM 2025 Conference, held September 3–6 in Athens, Greece.
The Conference took place at The American College of Greece’s Aghia Paraskevi Campus, one of the region’s most prestigious academic institutions.
Titled “Delincuencia Juvenil: A Preliminary Analysis of Juvenile Involvement in Texas-México Organized Crime,” the research team's presentation highlighted results from a project that has been underway since 2024.
The study used data provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety as part of Operation Lone Star, which focuses on border crimes. Researchers analyzed data collected between March 2021 and July 2024 from Webb, Zapata, Starr and Hidalgo counties.
Findings showed that Webb County had significantly higher migrant smuggling offenses than Zapata, Starr and Hidalgo counties, despite Hidalgo’s larger county population. Juvenile offenders, defined as individuals aged 17 and below, were twice as likely to be associated with migrant smuggling and nearly twice as likely to be involved in organized crime compared to offenders 34 years and older.
The study also found more drug offenses registered in Hidalgo County compared to the rest of the three counties. The same county was three times more likely to have a drug crime than Zapata County.
The study also found that there was a statistically significant and positive association between police evading and migrant smuggling across all four border counties.
Dr. Daniel Scott, TAMIU associate professor of Criminal Justice and director of the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Program, said attending the Conference highlighted the strength of doctoral research at TAMIU.
“Attending the European Society of Criminology Meeting was a great opportunity for our doctoral students to show the important research they are conducting near the Texas-México border, highlighting the excellence of our Ph.D. program," he said, "Furthermore, it allowed for our students to improve as researchers and scholars through networking and learning about crime research being conducted around the world."
TAMIU Criminal Justice doctoral students are pictured from left to right: Vanessa Almaraz, Carlos Alvarez, and Lupe Garza.
Alvarez, one of the research team members, said he was honored to present the group's research at the Conference.
“I was honored to present our local border crime research to leading European criminologists. Notably, international scholars reported similar trends of rising juvenile involvement in organized crime. Our team is deeply grateful for the support of Texas A&M International University,” Alvarez said.
Almaraz, a team member, reflected on her experience.
“Attending and presenting at EUROCRIM 2025 in Athens, Greece, provided us the opportunity to represent TAMIU, Laredo, and the Ph.D. Criminal Justice program with dedication and leadership on an international level," she said, "Presenting at the Conference also strengthened our educational and professional growth in the Criminal Justice field, while engaging with others internationally.”
Garza, another team member, shared her experience in representing TAMIU at the Conference.
"Attending and presenting at the EUROCRIM Conference in Greece was an incredible opportunity to represent Texas A&M International University, the Ph.D. Criminal Justice program, and our community with professionalism and pride," Garza said, "Participating in this international forum allowed me to share my research, exchange innovative ideas, and strengthen both my academic and professional development through meaningful collaboration with scholars and practitioners from around the world."
She continued, "This achievement is attributed to the exceptional quality and mentorship of TAMIU professors, who have been instrumental in preparing us to engage confidently and contribute meaningfully on a global stage."
The ESC brings together in one multi-disciplinary society and on a European level, persons actively engaged in research, teaching and practice in the field of Criminology. Its objective is to foster criminological scholarship, research, education and training within academic institutions. It also encourages scholarly, scientific, and practical exchange and cooperation among those engaged in Criminology -- while serving as a forum for the dissemination of criminological knowledge at the European level.
For more information about the European Society of Criminology, visit https://esc-eurocrim.org/v2/constitution-of-the-european-society-of-criminology/.
For more about this story, please contact TAMIU's Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services, at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.
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