José Ralat, the taco editor for *Texas Monthly*, was briefly detained by law enforcement in the Big Bend region of Texas while on assignment. Ralat and a companion, Rodrigo Bravo, were stopped multiple times by various agencies, including a county deputy, U.S. Customs Enforcement, and a state trooper. The encounters raised concerns about potential profiling and coordinated efforts.

The incidents began when a deputy pulled them over for speeding, followed by a "weird" encounter with U.S. Customs Enforcement agents. The pair, traveling to investigate old Spanish mission sites, found themselves under scrutiny. They were questioned and delayed before being allowed to continue their journey. These stops led to questions about the reasons for the attention.

Bravo noted the officers were Hispanic, adding to the perplexing nature of the stops. Ralat, who has had negative previous experiences with law enforcement, questioned if his race played a role. The *Big Bend Sentinel* is monitoring the situation, especially given the presence of federal agencies and their enforcement practices.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions related to border security and law enforcement practices in the region. It underscores the importance of transparency and accountability. The events prompted conversations about racial profiling and the potential for overreach by law enforcement. The story continues to develop, with potential for further investigation.