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Victor Avila is a retired Supervisory Special Agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
While on official assignment in Mexico, Special Agent Avila suffered multiple gunshot wounds and survived a violent ambush by the Mexican Los Zetas drug cartel where Special Agent Jaime Zapata tragically lost his life.
ICE-HSI is responsible for investigating crimes pertaining to immigration, trade, customs, and border security that threaten the security of the American Homeland. While serving with ICE-HSI, Victor personally led criminal investigations of human traffickers, drug smugglers, and violent criminals.
During his time with ICE-HSI, Victor also served as an accredited diplomat to Mexico, Spain, and Portugal. Victor advised these governments on complex and wide-ranging criminal investigations including narcotics trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, financial violations, commercial fraud, and counterterrorism.
Mr. Avila began his law enforcement career as a United States Probation Officer for the U.S. Courts and as a District Parole Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at El Paso while focusing on the identity of Hispanic Americans along the border.
Mr. Avila has been recognized for Excellence in Law Enforcement by the ICE Hispanic Agents Association; The Director’s Award for Operation in Plain Sight in Mexico; the Homeland Security Investigations Excellence in Public Service Award; The Valor Award by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA); Medal of Valor for Outstanding Bravery by the National Latino Peace Officers Association; the Medal of Valor by the Hispanic American Command Officers Association (HAPCOA); and the NYPD Heroism Award by the Global Alliance of Hispanic Law Enforcement Professionals.
Since retiring from ICE-HSI, Victor has remained a relentless advocate for border security, speaking across the United States. Victor also authored Agent Under Fire: A Murder and a Manifesto recounting the story of the 2011 ambush by Cartel hitmen and outlining a strategy to secure the border.
Victor has been featured on FoxNews, Newsmax, Univision, OANN, Telemundo, and various Radio and Podcast interviews discussing border security, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other subject matters in which he is considered an expert.
He is a lifetime member of the NRA who set the world record for the longest handgun shot.
