Coffee and a Mike Taylor Cramer known as RGVTruth #1050
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Jan 24, 2025 Taylor Cramer, known as RGVTruth, is a filmmaker and independent journalist focused on border issues in South Texas. He shares gripping stories from the Rio Grande Valley, including the complexities of reporting amidst crime and political turmoil. The discussion dives into significant topics like the challenges of covering cartel violence, recent legal shifts regarding cartels as terrorist organizations, and the human side of immigration. Cramer also reflects on his journey in independent media and the critical need for vigilance in both local and international contexts.
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Relocation and Beginning of Reporting
- Taylor Cramer moved to the Rio Grande Valley after experiencing the decline of the middle class in Seattle.
- He picked up a GoPro and began documenting border activity after witnessing helicopters flying at night.
Funding Over Security
- Border patrol agents revealed to Cramer that politicians prioritize funding allocations over border security.
- Funding shifts between NGOs and defense contractors depending on which political party is in power.
Revolving Door Deportations
- In Eagle Pass, authorities apprehend migrants and return them to Mexico via a bridge.
- This revolving door process requires migrants to repeatedly pay criminal elements for re-entry.