Texas National Guard Uses Pepper Balls on Migrants at Border
Biden Announces New Protections for Undocumented Spouses and DACA Recipients | El Paso Shelter Faces Closure Amid Texas' Claims of Law Violation
Texas National Guard Uses Pepper Balls on Migrants at Border
Alejandro Serrano and Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune.- The Texas National Guard has introduced pepper ball guns to deter migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, a part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. Agents have been firing these non-lethal weapons to disperse groups and prevent migrants from crossing through concertina wire barriers. Despite claims of aiming away from individuals, migrants have reported injuries and severe irritation from the pepper balls. This escalation in border tactics has raised concerns among human rights advocates about the safety and legality of such measures, especially considering the risks to vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women. Critics argue that this aggressive approach could lead to serious human rights violations.
Biden Announces New Protections for Undocumented Spouses and DACA Recipients
Matthew Choi, The Texas Tribune.- President Joe Biden is set to announce new immigration measures aimed at undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and DACA recipients. These initiatives, which come just days after the 12th anniversary of DACA, include provisions that allow certain undocumented spouses who have been in the U.S. for a decade to apply for permanent residency and work permits without leaving the country. Additionally, the plan introduces expedited work visas for DACA recipients with U.S. degrees or high-skill job offers. These actions are part of Biden's efforts to reform immigration policies within his executive powers while urging Congress for comprehensive border security and immigration system overhauls.
El Paso Shelter Faces Closure Amid Texas' Claims of Law Violation
Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune.- Annunciation House, a migrant shelter in El Paso, faces potential closure as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accuses it of harboring undocumented immigrants and obstructing state investigations. During a court hearing, the state argued the shelter was non-compliant in providing requested documents, a claim Annunciation House's legal team disputes, labeling it "utter nonsense." The shelter, known for aiding hundreds of thousands of migrants for nearly 50 years, contends it upholds its clients' legal rights to seek asylum. A decision from Judge Francisco Dominguez is expected within two weeks.
Mexican Shelters Strain as Biden’s Asylum Ban Drives Migrant Crowding
Valerie Gonzalez, AP.- Following the recent suspension of most asylum requests by the Biden administration, migrant shelters in Mexico are experiencing varied impacts. Facilities in Sonora state face significant overcrowding due to daily deportations, while shelters in Tijuana remain underutilized. The new U.S. policy, intended to manage unprecedented migrant encounters, has led to increased deportations and shifts in migration patterns, placing considerable strain on certain Mexican border shelters.
Federal Judge Halts Iowa's New Immigration Law, Cites Constitutional Concerns
William Morris, Des Moines Register.- A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against Iowa's new immigration law, which sought to impose state criminal penalties on undocumented immigrants reentering the state. The judge ruled that the law conflicts with federal authority over immigration matters, citing a similar Supreme Court decision related to an Arizona case. Governor Kim Reynolds expressed disappointment and plans to appeal, while immigrant rights activists celebrate the decision as a temporary relief but brace for an ongoing legal battle.
The US suspends the import of Michoacan avocado after attacks on inspectors
Julieta Aragón, Zeta weekly.- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended imports of avocado from Michoacán since June 15, after two of its inspectors were attacked during a blockade in the community of Aranza. This measure significantly affects the state's avocado industry, which leads the export of this fruit in Mexico, this country being the world's largest producer of avocado. Mexican authorities have not yet issued an official statement, while the Association of Avocado Producers and Exporters Packers of Mexico (APEAM) is in dialogue with the USDA and the US embassy to resolve the situation and resume exports.