The FBI arrests three members of a militia that planned to wage war on the Texas border and kill federal agents and immigrants
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for February 8, 2024.
Iván Cantú faces execution despite doubts about his guilt and his retracted testimony
Iván Cantú, who will be executed in Texas for the 2000 murders of his cousin and his fiancée, continues to fight for a review of his case amid new evidence and recanted testimonies, according to an investigation from The Texas Tribune. Cantú's conviction was based on disputed evidence and the testimony of key witnesses who have since admitted to lying. Despite a pause in his 2023 execution due to compelling perjury arguments, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals dismissed his hearing request without explanation. Cantú's defense points to multiple anomalies, including jurors from his original trial now opposing his execution and a key witness who recanted. However, his prospects remain bleak as the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is known for its strict stance, and his legal avenues are narrowing. With his execution date rapidly approaching, Cantú and his legal team hope for a breakthrough that will allow for a new trial or at least a review of the evidence amassed against his guilt.
FBI Stops Militia's Plan to Wage War on Texas Border, Arrests Three Men
The Texas Tribune revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dismantled a plot by three men, two of whom claimed to be part of a militia, who planned to travel to the Texas-Mexico border to assassinate Border Patrol agents and illegal immigrants, believing the country was being invaded. The individuals, Bryan C. Perry, Jonathan S. O'Dell, and Paul Faye, face federal charges for conspiring to murder federal agents and possession of an unregistered silencer. Perry and O'Dell also attempted to recruit others for their militia, with plans to travel to Washington, D.C., to "stop the madness." They are accused of trying to murder seven federal agents, and after their arrest, weapons and ammunition were found at O'Dell's residence. The plot included calls to the office of Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, warning of his intentions. The militia intended to start a war on the border, blaming Border Patrol agents for allowing migrants to cross and planning to travel to the border in October 2022 to "detonate the hornet's nest."
CBP One insufficient: Illegal crossings exceed U.S. asylum appointments
La Verdad Juárez, a digital native outlet from Ciudad Juárez, makes an interesting assessment of the success of the United States CBO One application in regulating asylum requests by migrants arriving at the border. The CBP One application, implemented by the U.S. government to manage the entry of migrants regularly, has proven insufficient in the face of asylum demand, resulting in a significantly higher number of illegal crossings. Since its activation, CBP One has facilitated almost 324 thousand appointments, insufficient given the migratory flow that exceeds one million people illegally crossing the border. Migrants like Natalia, a Venezuelan, face obstacles to accessing the application, from lack of stable internet to system errors. High demand has overwhelmed CBP One's capacity, leaving many waiting for appointments for months and prompting irregular crossings as an alternative. International and local organizations guide app use, but technological limitations and digital obstacles remain significant barriers for asylum seekers. The situation shows the need for a more effective and accessible solution to manage the asylum process.