Texas Plans $500 Million Border Military Base with Luxury Amenities for Guards
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for February 20, 2024.
Abbott’s border military base could cost Texans $500 million
Texas Observer’s Justin Miller.- Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has announced the construction of an 80-acre military base in Eagle Pass, aiming to establish a permanent presence for Operation Lone Star. The base, costing Texans potentially over half a billion dollars, will feature luxurious amenities for 1,800 to 2,300 National Guard soldiers, including chef-driven meals, a fitness center, and recreational facilities. The initial contract of $171 million with Team Housing Solutions covers building and operating expenses for nine months, with the possibility of extending operations for an additional $350 million over two years. This move is part of Texas' broader, highly militarized border strategy, which has already seen over $10 billion in funding. Abbott's initiative has been criticized for its high costs and militaristic approach to border control, including ongoing legal disputes over border enforcement tactics.
Dominican body found in Río Bravo, total of 19 migrant deaths this year
In the Río Bravo, in Guerrero, Coahuila, the body of a man was found, identified by a Dominican Republic credential. Local police reported the discovery in the "Tres de Guerrero" complex. The deceased was wearing sports clothing and showed no signs of violence. Grupo Beta assisted in the recovery of the body, identified as John Kelly. The Attorney General's Office is investigating the case, which adds to the 19 deaths recorded this year of people trying to cross into the United States irregularly.
Texas AG Paxton moves to shut down El Paso’s Annunciation House, alleging migrant aid is ‘human smuggling’
El Paso Matter’s Robert Moore.- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against Annunciation House, a Catholic nonprofit in El Paso, accusing it of facilitating human smuggling by providing shelter and services to migrants. This move is part of Texas' broader efforts to control immigration issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Annunciation House, established in 1978 by Ruben Garcia, has been instrumental in assisting migrants and immigrants, including reuniting families separated under the Trump administration. Paxton's office alleges that the organization's assistance to migrants who evade Border Patrol constitutes human smuggling. The state has demanded records from Annunciation House, which received a temporary restraining order to block this request. A hearing is scheduled to discuss a stronger temporary injunction. Garcia and his organization argue that their work is vital for keeping migrants off the streets and aiding the community, warning that this legal challenge could endanger other organizations providing similar support.
Chicago Shuts Four Migrant Shelters as Seasonal Decline in Arrivals Observed
Chicago Sun-Times’s Michael Loria.- Chicago has recently closed four migrant shelters due to a noticeable decrease in migrant arrivals, influenced by seasonal trends in border crossings. These shelters, located in strategic areas including the Loop, North Lawndale, Lake View, and North Park, housed approximately 400 individuals at their peak capacity. The closures are part of the city's response to the dynamic nature of migrant flows, with facilities like the Harold Washington Library and the New Life Community Church previously experiencing similar temporary shutdowns. The decision aligns with the current dip in the U.S. southern border crossings, significantly marked by a 42% decrease in January, attributed to various factors, including adverse weather conditions and heightened immigration enforcement. Despite this lull, experts anticipate fluctuations, with potential increases in crossings as the year progresses, highlighting the unpredictability of migration patterns.
Security forces find land mines on the Mexican side of the border; criminal groups place them
Expresso’s Perla Resendez.- On the border of Tamaulipas, specifically in municipalities such as San Fernando, Río Bravo, and Valle Hermoso, security forces have discovered improvised land mines buried in dirt roads. These explosive devices, attributed to the actions of criminal groups, represent an escalation in violent tactics in the region. The military and National Guard presence has increased following the arrest of an alleged criminal leader in Matamoros, which has intensified clashes between rival factions. The authorities have deactivated several of these devices, but the risk of finding more mines on these rural roads remains. This use of explosive devices by criminal groups underlines the severity of the conflict in this border area, further complicating security and transit through these areas.
Dominican body found in Rio Grande River, total of 19 migrant deaths this year
In the Río Bravo River, in Guerrero, Coahuila, the body of a man was found, identified by a Dominican Republic credential. Local police reported the discovery in the "Tres de Guerrero" complex. The deceased was wearing sports clothing and showed no signs of violence. Grupo Beta assisted in the recovery of the body, identified as John Kelly. The Attorney General's Office is investigating the case, which adds to the 19 deaths recorded this year of people trying to cross into the United States irregularly.
Eight migrants rescued from the Rio Grande, reunite a Brazilian girl with her mother