Retired Homeland Security Investigations special agent Victor Avila Jr. addressed the Arizona House as the chamber’s guest speaker, recounting a 2011 ambush in Mexico that left his colleague, Special Agent Jaime Zapata, dead and Avila himself seriously wounded. He urged the Legislature to prioritize human trafficking enforcement and intergovernmental cooperation to combat cartel violence.

Montenegro introduced Victor Avila Jr. as a retired federal agent, an advocate on border security and human trafficking, and asked him to tell the chamber about his experience. Avila described his career in HSI, saying the agency "was the merger that happened with the Department of Homeland Security back in 2003," and noted that HSI has a presence in 76 countries.

Avila said he was on assignment in Mexico City on Feb. 15, 2011, when he and Special Agent Jaime Zapata were ambushed near San Luis Potosí. He told the House that attackers fired more than 100 rounds at their armored vehicle; Avila said he was struck three times — once in the chest and twice in his left leg — while Zapata sustained fatal wounds. Avila described calling for help after the attack and the prolonged rescue effort; he said a helicopter eventually reached their location after roughly 40 minutes.

"I am here for one reason. I'm here by the grace of God to be able to even share this story with you," Avila said. He recounted working to rescue victims of human trafficking and forced labor, and said those cases, along with weapons and drug trafficking, fall within HSI’s jurisdiction when they have a nexus to the border. "We must defeat them, we must defeat the criminal illegal aliens that come to our country and do harm," Avila said, calling for improved intelligence-sharing and cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities.

Avila framed his public remarks around victim rescue, border security and the role of government to provide public safety at all levels: "The role of government at any level, local, state, and federal, the first responsibility is to provide safety for their citizens. Without public safety, everything kind of else goes out the window," he said.

After his remarks, Montenegro thanked Avila for his presentation and told members "now members, let's get to work," as the House moved to its organizational business. Avila said he will continue to work with state and federal partners on intelligence and trafficking issues.

The House transcript records Avila’s account and his offers to cooperate with legislators on intelligence and trafficking matters; Avila’s remarks were part of opening-day ceremonies and a speaker-address slot rather than a floor debate or a bill-specific hearing.