Supreme Court Halts Texas Execution of Ruben Gutierrez Minutes Before Scheduled Death
Migrant Apprehensions at Texas Border Hit Lowest Since Biden's Inauguration | Elon Musk Announces Relocation of X and SpaceX to Texas in Response to California's New LGBTQ+ Laws
Migrants walk through the mostly dry river bed of the Rio Grande toward concertina wire guarded by Texas National Guard soldiers along the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on May 27, 2024. Credit: Paul Ratje for The Texas Tribune.
Supreme Court Halts Texas Execution of Ruben Gutierrez Minutes Before Scheduled Death
Kayla Guo, The Texas Tribune.- The Supreme Court has intervened to delay the execution of Ruben Gutierrez, who was scheduled for execution in Texas for the 1998 murder of Escolastica Harrison in Brownsville. This last-minute halt allows the Court to review a petition challenging a lower court's decision on the constitutionality of Texas' restrictions on DNA testing post-conviction. Gutierrez, insisting on his innocence, has long sought DNA tests on evidence from the crime scene, arguing that it would prove he did not commit the murder. The stay of execution marks yet another pause in a series of legal challenges and delays that have kept Gutierrez on death row for over a decade, underlining ongoing debates about DNA evidence and death penalty procedures.
Migrant Apprehensions at Texas Border Hit Lowest Since Biden's Inauguration
Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune.- In June 2024, Texas saw a significant decrease in migrant apprehensions, dropping by roughly 32%, marking the lowest number since President Joe Biden's inauguration in January 2021. This decline, observed across the entire U.S.-Mexico border, resulted in 83,536 migrants apprehended, compared to 117,901 in May. The drop aligns with the implementation of Biden’s executive order on June 5, which restricts asylum claims extensively. Federal authorities and experts attribute the decline to the new policy and intensified collaboration with Mexico to manage and reduce unlawful crossings. This development reflects a broader trend of decreasing illegal entries, with Texas recording a consistent fall in apprehensions from a peak in March. The decrease highlights complex dynamics at the border, influenced by various factors, including international relations, policy changes, and regional security issues.
Houston-Based Immigrant Rights Group Struggles After Hurricane Beryl Damage
Anna-Catherine Brigida, Houston Landing.- Hurricane Beryl's devastation in Houston has severely impacted the local immigrant rights organization, FIEL Houston. The storm caused significant damage to their office, disrupting their operations and community support activities. Cesar Espinosa, FIEL's executive director, and staff, faced the aftermath of finding their office flooded and essential documents and equipment damaged. As the community reels from the hurricane's effects, FIEL's ability to serve Houston's immigrants is critically hindered, underscoring the vulnerability of such essential services in times of natural disasters. The organization now focuses on recovery and continuing its vital services amid challenging conditions.
Elon Musk Announces Relocation of X and SpaceX to Texas in Response to California's New LGBTQ+ Laws
Asad Jung, The Texas Tribune.- Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), has declared his intention to relocate the headquarters of both companies from California to Texas. This decision comes in the wake of new California legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, which extends protections for LGBTQ+ students, including a controversial measure that stops mandatory reporting of students’ gender identity changes to their families. Musk criticized the laws as harmful to families and businesses, prompting his decision to move operations to Starbase, Texas, a location already significant for SpaceX activities. This move aligns with Musk's growing business presence in Texas, including his relocation and Tesla's headquarters. Texas officials, including Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz, have publicly welcomed Musk’s decision, underscoring Texas’s commitment to becoming a hub for technological and space exploration advancements.