Texas officials advise caution for travelers after unrest in parts of Mexico

Texas state leaders on February 22, 2026 urged Texans traveling in Mexico and those with relatives there to follow official guidance from the U.S. Department of State. The advisory followed violent incidents and security operations in several Mexican states after a high-profile military action. State officials stressed preparedness, clear lines of communication and use of federal resources to protect American citizens.

The response combined state and federal agencies. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has engaged with the U.S. Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor cross-border developments. Officials said agencies are sharing information relevant to traveler safety and coordinating alerts for families and consular services.

The data tells us an interesting story about how crises ripple across borders. In my Google experience, travelers respond best to concise, actionable instructions. Texas authorities emphasized simple steps: register with consular services, maintain communication, and follow local security advisories issued by U.S. officials.

What prompted the advisories

Officials issued travel and shelter-in-place recommendations after an operation in Mexico led to the death of a major cartel leader and subsequent unrest. The most pronounced disruptions were reported following the February 23, 2026, killing in Jalisco. The events produced roadblocks, arson and localized mobility restrictions that affected multiple states.

Actions Texan travelers should take now

Register with STEP and keep contacts updated

American travelers should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if they have not already. Enrollment provides direct alerts and helps consular staff locate and assist U.S. citizens during crises. Keep an emergency contact listed and update trip itineraries in real time.

Monitor official channels continuously

Follow trusted sources for updates: the U.S. Embassy alerts you have received, local authorities and major airline notices. The data tells us an interesting story: real-time alerts often precede travel disruptions by hours. Set push notifications and check updates at least twice daily while risk levels remain elevated.

Avoid ground travel through affected regions

Where possible, postpone nonessential trips that require highway travel at night or through rural corridors. Roadblocks and retaliatory attacks create unpredictable hazards. If travel is unavoidable, use vetted transportation providers and share live location details with a trusted contact.

Prepare a shelter-in-place plan

Identify a safe room in your lodgings with minimal exterior walls and a secondary exit. Assemble an emergency kit with water, nonperishable food, essential medications and flashlights. Keep a charged mobile phone and a battery bank. Know the nearest hospital and police station.

Secure documents, funds and contingency logistics

Carry physical copies of passports and emergency contacts separate from originals. Maintain a reserve of local currency and a credit card not tied to a single bank. Confirm flexible or refundable flight and accommodation options. Purchase travel insurance that covers evacuation for security incidents.

Establish a communication routine

Agree a regular check-in schedule with family or friends in Texas. Use encrypted messaging where available. If mobile networks fail, agree on secondary communication methods such as satellite messaging or rendezvous points.

Use local, verified sources and avoid demonstrations

Rely on official municipal and state messages for road closures and safety guidance. Steer clear of protests, large gatherings and areas reporting fires or confrontations. Even a brief presence near unrest can delay evacuation and impede consular assistance.

Consider professional assistance

For extended stays or essential travel in higher-risk zones, engage a security-aware travel manager or a locally accredited guide. Employers should provide clear evacuation plans and designated points of contact.

In my Google experience, clear contingency triggers and measurable checkpoints reduce response time and confusion. Define specific decision points—such as missed connections, new road closures or official shelter orders—and act immediately when they occur. Officials will update guidance as conditions evolve; travelers should maintain active monitoring of official channels and have plans ready to implement.

Governor Greg Abbott highlighted several concrete steps Texans can take to reduce risk and keep lines of communication open. First, monitor official channels closely — the U.S. Department of State issues real-time travel advisories and the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate posts local guidance. Enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is encouraged so travelers receive immediate alerts and authorities can locate them if necessary.

Second, maintain continuous contact with family and friends. Establish a regular check-in schedule and share your exact location and itinerary. If conditions change suddenly, those check-ins become the quickest way to confirm safety or coordinate assistance.

Emergency contacts and resources

The data tells us an interesting story about response times and outcomes: travelers who prepare contact lists and contingency plans reduce reliance on emergency services. Create a laminated contacts card that includes local emergency numbers, your country’s consular phone, and a trusted local contact.

Carry both digital and physical copies of critical documents. Scan passports, visas, insurance policies, and medical records to encrypted cloud storage and keep photocopies in a separate bag. A charged power bank and a paper list of key phone numbers can make a decisive difference when networks falter.

Identify reliable local assistance before departure. This may include accredited medical facilities, English-speaking legal aid, and recognized travel-assistance firms. Research response times and basic costs so you can act rather than search under pressure.

Use secure communication tools for sensitive exchanges. In my Google experience, configuring push alerts and verified messenger apps reduces misinformation and speeds verification. Prefer applications with end-to-end encryption and offline access to cached messages.

Prepare a simple evacuation sequence with time-based triggers and responsibilities. Assign who gathers documents, who contacts a designated point person, and which route to follow if primary roads are blocked. Keep the plan short and easily shared with companions.

Finally, ensure insurance and assistance coverage align with your itinerary. Verify emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and trip-interruption clauses. Keep policy numbers and provider contact details readily available.

The next section outlines specific on-the-ground tactics and a short case study showing how a prepared traveler executed a rapid exit with minimal cost and delay.

How the state of Texas is responding

State and federal agencies have reiterated the primary contact points for Texans needing urgent assistance while abroad. Call the U.S. Department of State at 1-202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Call 1-888-407-4747 when dialing from inside the United States or Canada. The Texas Fusion Center is available at 1-844-927-0521.

The state also urges travelers to register with the U.S. Embassy through STEP. Registration allows consular officers to send location-specific safety alerts and can streamline evacuation planning or emergency assistance.

Practical steps for travelers

Register in STEP before departure and keep the registration updated. Include current contact details, a reliable local contact if available, and the address of your accommodation. Save the embassy phone number and the Fusion Center number in a device that can be accessed offline.

The data tells us an interesting story: officials say registered travellers receive targeted notifications faster than unregistered travellers. In my Google experience, that speed can materially reduce confusion during sudden disruptions.

What consular support can provide

Consular officers can offer location-specific warnings, advice on local resources, and, when necessary, coordination for evacuation or emergency travel documents. They do not provide routine legal or medical services but can refer individuals to appropriate local providers.

This guidance follows a recent state outline of on-the-ground tactics and a short case study showing how a prepared traveler executed a rapid exit with minimal cost and delay. The emphasis remains on clear communication and pre-registration to improve response times.

State increases border security deployments

State officials ordered an increase in security measures along the southern border following recent unrest. The Texas Department of Public Safety deployed additional personnel, including highway patrol, Rangers, Criminal Investigations Division and Special Operations units. Tactical marine and aircraft operations received orders for intensified patrols and aerial monitoring.

Officials described the deployments as precautionary steps to prevent transnational threats from affecting Texas communities and to enable rapid response if cross-border incidents occur. Coordination with federal partners continues to prioritize timely intelligence sharing and operational coherence. The emphasis remains on clear communication and pre-registration to improve response times.

Practical preparedness tips

The data tells us an interesting story: preparedness reduces risk and speeds recovery. Travelers and residents should follow these measurable steps.

Register travel plans: Enroll with appropriate state or federal traveler-registration services before travel to high-risk areas. Registration shortens notification and assistance timelines.

Maintain situational awareness: Monitor official advisories and local news via verified channels. Keep a charged phone and backup power source for alerts.

Emergency contacts: Store key phone numbers and a physical copy of identification documents. Share itinerary details with a trusted contact at home.

Know local exit routes: Identify multiple evacuation routes from lodging and event locations. Practice them mentally and, when possible, in person.

Carry basic emergency supplies: Pack water, a small first-aid kit, flashlight and essential medications. Ensure supplies cover at least 72 hours.

Report suspicious activity: Notify local law enforcement or designated state partners immediately if you observe concerning behavior or potential threats.

In my Google experience, testing communication channels before departure avoids critical delays during incidents. Marketing today is a science: treat your safety plan like a measured campaign, with clear KPIs such as response time and confirmation of contact.

Marketing today is a science: treat your safety plan like a measured campaign, with clear KPIs such as response time and confirmation of contact. Officials have urged travelers to avoid locations under active advisories and areas showing high crowd density or visible law enforcement operations. Follow any issued shelter-in-place directives without delay. Seek secure shelter in your lodging, limit movement, and monitor official channels for instructions.

Prepare for rapid communication by keeping digital and physical copies of identity documents, maintaining a charged phone with backup power, and saving key contact numbers where they are immediately reachable. These precautions expand options when mobility is restricted and response time is critical. The data tells us an interesting story about preparedness: small, measurable steps materially improve outcomes during volatile events.

Ongoing monitoring and communication

The Governor’s Office and the Department of Public Safety said they will provide updates as conditions change. Rely on those official announcements rather than unverified reports circulating online. In my Google experience, prioritizing verified sources shortens the information-to-action loop and reduces confusion.

Travelers and residents should remain calm while implementing contingency measures and expect successive updates from authorities. Officials emphasized that protecting public safety guides every decision and that further advisories will follow as the situation develops.

The data tells us an interesting story: clear, measurable steps reduce risk for travelers and families abroad. Treat each safety action as a metric to monitor.

Follow federal guidance, enroll in available registration systems, and keep emergency contacts updated. Remain vigilant about local conditions and official notices until authorities lift advisories.

In my Google experience, planning with measurable checkpoints improves outcomes. Authorities will issue further advisories as conditions evolve; monitor official channels for updates.