CBP Supervisor Faces Federal Charges for Allegedly Harboring Undocumented Migrant Girlfriend and Niece
A senior Customs and Border Protection supervisor has been formally charged by federal authorities over serious allegations that he harbored an undocumented migrant girlfriend, who investigators claim is also his biological niece. This case represents a significant breach of immigration enforcement protocols within the agency responsible for border security.
Details of the Allegations and Investigation
According to the Department of Justice, Andres Wilkinson, aged 52, knowingly maintained a romantic relationship with the woman despite being fully aware of her unlawful immigration status within the United States. Wilkinson has been a dedicated member of CBP since 2001 and received a promotion to a supervisory role in 2021, a position that specifically involved overseeing the enforcement of customs regulations and immigration laws.
The criminal complaint, which was obtained by The Independent, reveals that law enforcement officials discovered the woman and her young daughter were residing at Wilkinson's personal residence without any legal authorization. The woman originally entered the United States on a non-migrant visa back in 2023. Investigative documents indicate that in May 2025, the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility received database research suggesting the woman was actually Wilkinson's niece.
Further investigation confirmed that the woman is the daughter of a man whom Wilkinson had previously listed as his brother during a comprehensive background check conducted in 2023. Court filings detail that when the woman first arrived in the country, she was married to another individual. That man filed a green card petition on her behalf in January 2024, but the application was formally withdrawn just three months later in April.
Surveillance and Financial Support Evidence
From June through November 2025, federal law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance operations at Wilkinson's residence, consistently observing the woman and her child living there. On February 5 of this year, CBP Office of Professional Responsibility agents approached and detained the woman in Laredo, Texas. During questioning, she reportedly admitted that she had been living with her uncle, Wilkinson, since August 2024.
The complaint further alleges that Wilkinson provided substantial financial support to the woman, including giving her access to his personal credit cards, offering housing, and assisting with her various financial obligations such as medical debt. He also added her to his vehicle insurance policy. Additionally, authorities claim Wilkinson knowingly transported the woman through multiple U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints and on trips to San Antonio. Electronic messages obtained during the investigation strongly indicated that both the woman and her child were residing with him.
Potential Legal Consequences and Agency Response
If convicted on the federal charges of "harboring an illegal alien," Wilkinson faces severe penalties including a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison and a potential fine of $250,000. The Justice Department has emphasized the seriousness of these allegations, particularly given Wilkinson's supervisory role within Customs and Border Protection.
The Independent has made attempts to contact Wilkinson through his listed attorney for comment on the charges, but no response has been received at this time. This case highlights ongoing challenges within immigration enforcement agencies and raises questions about internal oversight mechanisms designed to prevent such conflicts of interest.
