Discovery Gains Unprecedented Access at U.S.-Mexico Border in BORDER LIVE

Discovery has announced that it has gained unprecedented access for its upcoming 6-part multiplatform series BORDER LIVE, premiering December 5, from 9-11 PM ET/PT. The network and production company Lucky 8 have secured filming with the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection.

BORDER LIVE crews will be embedded out in the field with officers and special agents at key border sites from Nogales, Ariz., in the west to the Rio Grande Valley and points east. Discovery will also be on-the-ground with law enforcement offices in Texas including the City of San Juan Police Department and Cameron County Sheriff's Office as well as in Arizona with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.

The timely series, announced earlier this month, will document the work of law enforcement on the U.S.-Mexico border as well as the real lives, real moments and real stories of those that live and work along its remote stretches.

Each week, Discovery will broadcast live from its New York-based studio. The network also announced today that it is building out its team of experts to provide context and insight including Lenny DePaul, a retired Chief Inspector with the U.S. Marshal Service, and Dr. Victor M. Manjarrez, Jr., a retired Chief Patrol Agent who served in both Tucson and El Paso Sectors.

DePaul has a long-established career in federal law enforcement. As Chief Inspector/Commander with the U.S. Marshal Joint Fugitive Task Force, he oversaw investigators from over 90 federal, state and local agencies on fugitive cases including narcotics warrants, criminal aliens, gangs and weapons violators. DePaul spent five years in the Navy and another six with the United States Secret Service. Manjarrez has served for more than 20 years in the United States Border Patrol and filled key operational roles both in the field and at Headquarters over the course of his extensive homeland security career. Manjarrez's work has been recognized by the Department of Homeland Security in the area of developing complex, efficient and comprehensive border security programs.

The show will be hosted by award-winning news journalist Bill Weir, who will track the action and stories as they unfold live from the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition, Weir will engage with experts across a range of border issues, offering insight and perspective on events as they occur. Currently, Weir serves as an anchor and special correspondent for CNN, first joining the network in November 2013. Veteran investigative journalist Lilia Luciano will also be immersed in the field and tackle stories by interviewing a tapestry of people who live and work along the border. Luciano, an investigative reporter at TEGNA's ABC10 in Sacramento, Calif., is bi-lingual and has a deep understanding of border issues. She has won numerous awards and has on-the-ground experience reporting from Puerto Rico and other crisis areas.

BORDER LIVE is produced for Discovery Channel by Lucky 8, a production company best known for its blue-chip documentaries and access-driven unscripted series such as "60 Days In." For Lucky 8, Greg Henry, Kim Woodard, Isaac Holub, George Kralovansky, Ashley Adams, Anne Marie Gaynor and Andres Vasquez are executive producers. For Discovery Channel, Joseph Schneier, Joseph Boyle and Christina Bavetta are executive producers and Cameron Doyle is coordinating producer.

To post a comment, you must register and login.