Author Archive
Oversight
Migrants, Including Children, Face Cramped Conditions at South Texas Border Patrol Facility
Images released by a Democratic U.S. representative show settings similar to those that Democrats hammered former President Donald Trump over two years ago, when that administration encountered an increase of migrant apprehensions
Management
Migrant Apprehensions Continued Upward Trend in February
The Rio Grande Valley and the El Paso sectors remain the busiest crossing points as more than 100,000 people were either apprehended or surrendered to authorities along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Oversight
As Migrant Apprehensions Rise, Texas Gov. Abbott Slams Biden Immigration Policies in Border Appearance
Apprehensions of migrants have increased substantially at the U.S.-Mexico border since October.
Management
Federal Judge Prevents Biden Administration from Pausing Deportations for Two More Weeks
Judge Drew Tipton originally issued a 14-day suspension of Biden’s moratorium on Jan. 26. The pause in deportations was part of Biden’s attempted day one overhaul of several of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Workforce
Biden's Early Immigration Overhaul Has Overlooked One Growing Problem: A Massive Court Backlog
The nation's immigrations courts have 1.3 million pending cases, and some immigrants in Texas wait nearly five years for a court hearing.
Defense
Biden Administration Pauses Deportations for 100 Days and Suspends 'Remain in Mexico' Policy for Asylum Seekers
The changes come on President Joe Biden’s first day in office where he earlier signed multiple executive orders rolling back additional Trump-era immigration policies.
Management
In His First Public Appearance Since Capitol Riot, Trump Visits Texas Border to Tout Wall Construction
President Trump on Tuesday visited the Rio Grande Valley in what's likely his last Texas appearance as commander-in-chief.
Oversight
Efforts to Stop Trump’s Border Wall Construction Could Extend Long Past Inauguration Day
President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next month will mark a change in border policies, but the litigation over Donald Trump’s border wall could continue, wall opponents say.
Oversight
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Stop Immediate Deportations of Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors
The practice started in March as a way to contain the spread of COVID-19. At least 13,000 unaccompanied children had been removed from the country under the order, the ACLU said in a statement.
Oversight
U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Cases on Border Wall Funding, 'Remain in Mexico' Policy
The Migrant Protection Protocols program has been criticized for sending thousands of vulnerable asylum seekers to Mexican border states that have seen sustained violence.
Defense
Border Apprehensions Down Sharply in 2020 but Spiked in September
Apprehensions of unaccompanied children dropped by as much as 70% in Border Patrol sectors along the Texas-Mexico border this fiscal year.
Oversight
President Trump Can’t Use $3.6 Billion in Military Funds for Border Wall Construction, Federal Court Rules
The 2-1 decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes as $3.6 billion was slated for construction of about a dozen projects, including two projects in the Laredo and El Paso areas.
Management
Federal Immigration Officials Announce Plans for Resuming 'Remain in Mexico' Hearings during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Texas must continue to reopen safely and the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control must lower their global health advisories before hearings resume.
Oversight
South Texas Landowners Are Hoping to Use President Trump's Own Words Against Him in a New Border Wall Lawsuit
Landowners are alleging that the construction of the barrier is driven by little more than racism and politics and is therefore unconstitutional, according to a new lawsuit.
Management
In Zapata County, Local Government Is Fighting the Federal Government to Stop One Piece of the Border Wall
The rural border county is digging in and challenging the Department of Homeland Security in court over the government’s attempt to gain access to small tract of county-owned land.
Management
Trump Administration Waives Environmental Safeguards to Fast-Track 69 Miles of Border Fence Construction
The White House said in February its goal was to build 450 additional miles of barrier by the end of 2020. The 69 miles would be in addition to a 52-mile project also underway in Webb County.
Oversight
Government Watchdog: Millions Wasted on Tornillo Migrant Detention Facility
The Government Accountability Office found that the government spent $66 million in taxpayer money over five months to hold an average of 28 people per day at the tent encampment near El Paso.
Management
As Coronavirus Infections Spread, So Have Clashes Between ICE Detainees and Guards
At ICE detention camps across the country, unrest is growing as detainees warn that dirty conditions and a disturbing lack of soap and other supplies could allow coronavirus to run rampant.
Oversight
Calls for Trump Administration to Release Migrants from Detention Increase Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Fear and anxiety within the immigrant community is spreading as detainees fear an outbreak of the new coronavirus in detention facilities.
Oversight
Immigrant Rights Groups Call on ICE to Halt Raids During Coronavirus Outbreak
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agency does not conduct enforcement operations at medical facilities “except under extraordinary circumstances.”
