A journalist reports an attack after denouncing the Tijuana mayor; Florida National Guard and anti immigrant groups coming to the border
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border on February 2, 2024.
Journalist Yolanda Caballero's vehicle attacked with fire after denouncing the mayor of Tijuana
Zeta Weekly.- The Baja California State Prosecutor's Office is investigating an attack on journalist Yolanda Caballero's car that occurred on February 1 in Loma Dorada, Tijuana. The incident, in which an attacker broke the passenger window and set the vehicle on fire with gasoline, occurred without Caballero's presence, which guaranteed her safety. State Attorney María Elena Andrade Ramírez emphasized the dual commitment to addressing violence against women and protecting journalism, promising a thorough investigation and support for Caballero. The attack, seen as an assault on society, underscores the risks journalists face. No arrests have been reported yet.
DeSantis to deploy Florida National Guard and State Guard to U.S.-Mexico border
Axios.- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is sending the Florida National Guard and State Guard to support Texas in addressing the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, describing the situation as an "invasion." This deployment includes about 1,000 National Guard members, supplementing 90 Florida officers already present. DeSantis emphasized the importance of border security for national sovereignty and plans to assist Texas in enhancing border barriers, including installing razor wire. This action represents a continuation of GOP criticism towards the Biden administration's immigration policies.
Take Back Our Border" Convoy Heads to Texas in Protest Against Migrant Crisis
Austin Statesman.- A nationwide caravan, the "Take Our Border Back Convoy," is making its way from Virginia to the U.S.-Mexico border to protest against the current migrant crisis. Organizers claim the border is open, which contradicts that it has been managed with nearly 50 ports of entry for a century. The protest aims to highlight issues of drug and human trafficking and calls for immediate action to secure the border. The convoy, divided into three groups targeting Texas, Arizona, and California, has sparked controversy and drawn a mix of supporters. Despite initial claims of hundreds of thousands of participants, attendance seems significantly smaller. The event, emphasizing peaceful protest, seeks to draw attention to border security concerns amidst a surge in migrant crossings and strained federal resources.
Former Border Agent Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Drug Smuggling Charges
San Diego Union-Tribune.- Hector Hernandez, a 55-year-old ex-U.S. Border Patrol agent from the San Diego area, admitted to accepting over $110,000 in bribes to facilitate drug smuggling and illegal border crossings from Mexico. In federal court, Hernandez pled guilty to methamphetamine distribution and bribery, forfeiting $110,000, his vehicle, and property used in the crimes. Beyond his initial charges, he confessed to aiding human smugglers by revealing border surveillance weaknesses. The U.S. Attorney condemned his betrayal, highlighting his role in corruption activities, including opening border fences for undocumented immigrants as uncovered by a Department of Homeland Security investigation. Hernandez's sentencing is scheduled for April.
Is anyone investigating the money flows in and out of the NGO’s involved in facilitating this immigration crisis? Is this a piggy bank for the politicians? I haven’t seen anyone investigating.