🚔📜Texas Bill Requires Sheriffs to Collaborate with ICE for Immigration Enforcement, Heads to Governor
🚀🏖️ Texas Bill Could Allow Starbase to Close Boca Chica Beach More Often for SpaceX Launches ⚖️💰 Mexican Ex-Governor Tomás Yarrington Faces Formal Charges for Money Laundering in Mexico
🚔📜Texas Bill Requires Sheriffs to Collaborate with ICE for Immigration Enforcement, Heads to Governor
Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune.- The Texas House passed a bill requiring all county sheriffs to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program. Senate Bill 8, approved by an 86-47 vote, mandates that sheriffs request partnerships with ICE to serve federal immigration warrants in local jails. The bill’s passage represents a significant step in expanding cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, which proponents argue strengthens border security. However, the bill has drawn concerns from immigrant rights groups, fearing increased racial profiling and a chilling effect on undocumented individuals seeking help from local authorities. If approved by the Texas Senate, the legislation will be sent to Governor Greg Abbott for final approval. The bill also allows the Texas Attorney General to sue sheriffs who refuse to comply with the ICE agreements.
Key Data:
Texas House approved SB 8 with 86-47 vote.
Requires sheriffs to enter 287(g) agreements with ICE.
Grants and penalties for sheriffs not complying.
Concerns about racial profiling and immigrant fear.
72 Texas law enforcement agencies signed 287(g) agreements with ICE.
🚀🏖️ Texas Bill Could Allow Starbase to Close Boca Chica Beach More Often for SpaceX Launches
Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune.- The Texas Senate has passed legislation that would allow officials from Starbase, the city home to SpaceX's rocket testing facility, to close Boca Chica Beach more frequently during rocket launches. The amendment, introduced by state Sen. Adam Hinojosa, would give Starbase the authority to shut down access to the beach, which has sparked opposition from local environmental and indigenous groups. These critics argue that it could effectively privatize a public, beloved beach and limit access. The bill follows the Federal Aviation Administration’s recent approval to increase the number of rocket launches from Boca Chica Beach, which will lead to more closures. The legislation is part of an update to the state’s definition of the Texas-Mexico border region, and now heads to the Texas House for further approval. Concerns remain over the transfer of beach closure authority from local officials to Starbase.
⚖️💰 Mexican Ex-Governor Tomás Yarrington Faces Formal Charges for Money Laundering in Mexico
Julieta Aragón, Milenio.- A Mexican court has issued a formal imprisonment order against former Tamaulipas Governor Tomás Yarrington, who faces charges of money laundering. The Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) alleges that Yarrington received funds from the Gulf Cartel during his tenure from 1999 to 2004, using the money to purchase multiple properties both in Mexico and abroad. The charges are part of ongoing investigations into his involvement with organized crime. This is the second such order against him after the FGR issued an arrest warrant last year for facilitating drug trafficking. Yarrington was deported from the U.S. on April 9, 2025, after serving time for accepting bribes. He is currently being held in the Altiplano Federal Center in Mexico State, awaiting further proceedings. This case represents one of the significant moves in the Mexican government’s ongoing battle against corruption linked to organized crime.
Key Data:
Tomás Yarrington faces formal charges of money laundering linked to Gulf Cartel funds.
He served as governor of Tamaulipas from 1999 to 2004.
The former governor is already facing charges related to drug trafficking.
Yarrington was deported from the U.S. and is currently held at Altiplano Federal Center.