Rescue of 5-Year-Old Migrant Child Crossing Rio Grande Alone Highlights Rising Trend
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers presents you a summary of the main border news for February 28, 2024
Texas Tropers Rescue 5-Year-Old Migrant Child Crossing Rio Grande Alone
La Voz de Piedras Negras.- In Eagle Pass, Texas, a heartrending incident unfolded as police rescued a 5-year-old Honduran boy who, among a group of 49 migrants, crossed the Rio Grande without any family members. The child carried a note bearing a name, phone number, and an address in St. Louis, shedding light on the distressing practice of parents entrusting their children to human traffickers, hoping for their safe passage across the border. The revelation, shared by Lt. Chris Olivares of the Texas Department of Public Safety, underscores the desperation families face seeking better opportunities. Efforts are underway to reunite the boy with relatives in the United States, marking a small beacon of hope in the ongoing migration crisis.
Georgia House Republicans Push for Stricter Immigration Enforcement After Student's Death
The Associated Press.- In response to the tragic death of a nursing student, Georgia House Republicans are advancing a measure to mandate all eligible law enforcement agencies to participate in identifying, arresting, and detaining undocumented immigrants for deportation. The move, prompted by the arrest of Venezuelan citizen Jose Ibarra for the murder and assault of 22-year-old Laken Riley, seeks to align Georgia with states like Texas, known for their stringent immigration policies. Now heading to the full House for further debate, this legislation reflects growing concerns over immigration enforcement and public safety. Concurrently, the University of Georgia announced a $7.3 million investment in campus security enhancements. At the same time, Republican lawmakers have called on the Department of Homeland Security for details regarding Ibarra's immigration status and entry into the U.S.
San Diego County Explores Funding for Migrant Center After Transit Drop-offs Increase
San Diego Union-Tribune.- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to seek federal and philanthropic funding for a permanent transfer center and shelter for migrants. This decision follows the early closure of a temporary welcome center, leading to the resumption of the Border Patrol's practice of releasing migrants at public transit stations. Over 2,000 migrants have been left at a station in just four days. The proposed center aims to provide essential services to migrants and facilitate their journey to final destinations, with a potential capacity for 500 people and costs ranging from $12 million to $345 million. The board's unanimous vote reflects a commitment to addressing the needs of migrants and the community amid ongoing immigration policy challenges.
Texas Set to Execute Ivan Cantu Amid Rising Doubts Over Guilt
Texas Tribune.- Texas is poised to execute Ivan Cantu for the 2000 murder of his cousin, James Mosqueda, and Mosqueda's fiancée, Amy Kitchen, despite growing doubts about his guilt and public outcry for a case reevaluation. Key testimonies that led to Cantu's 2001 conviction have since been recanted, and new evidence suggests potential framing, yet Texas courts have denied all appeals for reconsideration. The case has garnered widespread attention, with jurors from the original trial, celebrities, and thousands of Texans petitioning to halt the execution to allow further examination of the new evidence. Despite these efforts, Cantu's legal avenues have been exhausted as the execution date looms, highlighting contentious debates over the death penalty and judicial fairness in Texas.
Mexicali Suspected Drug Lab Raided by FGR, DSPM, and SEDENA
Semanario Zeta.- In a coordinated operation on February 27, 2024, Mexicali law enforcement, alongside the Mexican Army and the Attorney General's Office (FGR), raided a suspected drug laboratory. Following a tip-off from a prior arrest, the operation began on February 26, with the DSPM and SEDENA securing a residence in the central community of Maestros Federales. Based on sufficient evidence suggesting the location was being used for drug manufacturing, the FGR was approached for a search warrant. The raid executed in the evening of February 27 involved investigative agents and public prosecutors, who are currently assessing the site. The extent of the findings and quantities of substances found remain undisclosed, but security forces continue to monitor the area, highlighting the ongoing efforts against drug-related activities in Mexicali.
U.S. Elections Increase Uncertainty Among Migrants at the Mexican Border
Tijuana Press.- Faced with the upcoming elections in the United States, uncertainty is growing among migrants on the Mexican border, according to Enrique Lucero, director of migrant services in Tijuana. Trump's possible re-election could cause an increase in the number of migrants trying to cross before tightening immigration policies. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, under pressure from Republicans and electoral risk, has adopted more severe measures than it previously criticized. With the cancellation of Title 42 and the implementation of new rules to accelerate expulsions, even of those seeking asylum, the situation is complicated for those seeking a better life in the US. Migrants like Ismael Hernández and Cesario Aguirre, recently expelled, share experiences of rejection and detention, reflecting the constant flow of people affected by border policies and the fear of an even more uncertain future with possible political changes.
Allegations of Misuse in Poverty Funds Exceed 74 Million Pesos in Tamaulipas
Expreso Press.- In Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, the Secretary of Social Welfare, Verónica Aguirre de los Santos, disclosed during a congressional hearing significant financial irregularities identified by the Auditoría Superior de la Federación (ASF) in the 2022 fiscal audits. Four of nine audit procedures revealed discrepancies, including misallocations of 74.31 million pesos from the Social Infrastructure Fund for Entities, intended for highly marginalized areas. Notable findings include contracts for supplying and installing 2,916 street lights in areas not classified as experiencing extreme poverty, some within commercial zones in the state's south, costing 42.74 million pesos. Additionally, issues were found with 57 lighting projects and seven contracts for water tank installations totaling 23.12 million pesos, which did not meet poverty criteria. The ASF concluded that the fund's use in 2022 catered to political commitments with electoral purposes, thereby violating regulations and overlooking the social needs of the target population. Aguirre de los Santos also highlighted alleged distributions of supplies to certain deputies, which she deemed a severe violation of operational rules requiring direct assistance without intermediaries. This revelation has sparked intense scrutiny among lawmakers, particularly from the National Action Party, leading to further inquiries into labor issues within the Women's Institute and Sports.