Coahuila’s High‑Rank Holdouts: Visas Revoked, Jobs Secure

Coahuila’s government keeps two officials in their posts even after the United States revoked their visas in 2025. The pair, who are close to Governor Manolo Jimenez, remain on duty while the U. S. has been targeting Mexican officials for visa cancellations to pressure Mexico into cracking down on organized crime. One is Sonia Villarreal, the Undersecretary of Government for northern Coahuila. The other is her husband, Jorge Miguel “El Hummer” Barajas Hernandez, a founder of the GATES police unit that once fought Los Zetas. The cartel grew from the late 2000s to 2013, outpacing local law enforcement and prompting the creation of GATES. GATES later rebranded, but accusations of human rights abuses and private policing have followed. In 2025 the couple’s visas were revoked, with local officials citing birth‑tourism suspicions because they expected a second child. U. S. sources confirm that both are considered “inadmissible” due to past derogatory reports.Despite this, Governor Jimenez still relies on Villarreal. U. S. officials have raised concerns about the relationship. Investigations link Barajas to forced disappearances and to organizing routes for migrants seeking asylum across the Rio Grande. The couple allegedly profited from these movements during a humanitarian crisis. The situation highlights tension between Mexico’s internal politics and U. S. immigration policy. While the officials keep their positions, their status could strain diplomatic ties if more scrutiny follows. The story underscores how visa revocations can clash with domestic governance and the complexities of addressing organized crime while maintaining political alliances.