National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalPentagon policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service, appeals court panel rules
A federal appeals court ruled that a Pentagon policy banning transgender individuals from military service is illegal. The three-judge panel determined that the policy, initiated by the Trump administration, was aimed at excluding service members based on gender identity. While the ban remains in effect, the ruling prevents the military from discharging current members involved in the lawsuit but does not permit new transgender recruits. The decision is on hold pending further review by the administration. This ruling partially supports a previous decision by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who stated that the ban likely violates constitutional rights.
NationalICE sued over inhumane conditions at Camp East Montana in West Texas
A coalition of legal and civil rights organizations has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged inhumane conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, the largest immigration detention facility in the U.S. The lawsuit claims that detainees have faced medical neglect, abuse, and insufficient food, with at least three deaths reported since the camp's opening in August 2025. ICE has denied these allegations, asserting that detainees receive quality healthcare. The lawsuit seeks class action status to represent all current and future detainees. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar has criticized the facility, calling it a 'purgatory for human beings.'
NationalTexa app age verification law allowed to go into effect for now
A federal appeals court has allowed Texas' age verification law for app marketplaces to take effect temporarily. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous injunction from a district judge who believed the law might violate the First Amendment. Senate Bill 2420 mandates that app developers verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for those under 18 before downloading apps or making purchases. Supporters argue it protects children online, while critics claim it infringes on free speech. Similar laws are pending in Louisiana and Utah, and challenges to the Texas law are ongoing.
NationalMexico Strengthens Operations Against Piracy and Illegal Broadcasts Ahead of the World Cup
MEXICO CITY – The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) will enhance its strategy against piracy and illegal broadcasts in anticipation of the World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada, said its new director general, Vidal Llerenas, on Monday. During his presentation as head of the agency, Llerenas stated that IMPI has already conducted operations in Mexico City and Guadalajara, as well as actions aimed at combating the illegal streaming of sports content online. 'Operations have been carried out in Mexico City, Guadalajara... We are also working on the streaming issue to prevent illegal broadcasts,' he noted. The official explained that the institute is collaborating with internet service providers to curb these practices, while continuing the Mexican government's efforts to protect industrial property at a crucial time with the tournament approaching. 'It will be essential to demonstrate the Mexican government's commitment to industrial property at this important moment,' he added.
NationalRosario ‘Pete’ Vasquez named Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol
Rosario 'Pete' Vasquez has been appointed as the new Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, bringing over 26 years of experience in various leadership roles within the agency. His career includes significant positions along the U.S.-Canada border and in CBP headquarters. Vasquez has a strong background in operational leadership, having served in special operations and anti-terrorism roles. He will oversee nearly 20,000 agents, focusing on combating transnational crime and enhancing border security. Vasquez expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and emphasized his commitment to supporting agents and maintaining effective border security.
NationalBreaking Ground On $1 Billion Davie Defense Shipyard Modernization In Galveston
Governor Greg Abbott attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a $1 billion modernization project at Davie Defense’s Gulf Copper Shipyards in Galveston and Port Arthur. This initiative marks Texas's first complex shipbuilding project in decades, aimed at enhancing the production of Coast Guard icebreakers. Abbott emphasized the project’s importance for national security and job creation, projecting around 2,400 new jobs directly from the shipyard, with an overall economic impact supporting nearly 7,000 jobs statewide. Key officials, including Senator Ted Cruz and Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday, were present at the ceremony.
NationalTrump Administration to Comply with Court Order Pausing 'Anti-Politicization' Fund
The Trump administration announced on Monday that it will comply with a court ruling temporarily blocking a nearly $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate allies of President Donald Trump. This effectively means accepting a pause on the plan for at least two weeks following setbacks in the courts and a fierce backlash from Republicans who objected to potential payments to participants in the Capitol riot. The Justice Department's announcement came in response to a federal judge's ruling on Friday in Virginia, which ordered a halt to the fund's plans pending further arguments. The department stated in a release that it 'strongly disagrees' with the ruling but will abide by it. The Trump administration had defended the $1.776 billion 'Anti-Politicization Fund,' created to address Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his financial statements, as a suitable corrective measure to compensate for what officials insist was the unfair application of the law during Biden's administration. While some of Trump's supporters, including Capitol riot participants, celebrated the fund's announcement, the reaction among congressional Republicans has been decidedly more hostile. Senators pressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the fund in a closed-door meeting last month, which Texas Senator Ted Cruz described as one of 'the toughest meetings I've seen in my time in the Senate.' The fund's future was called into question on Friday by a pair of court rulings. A judge in Virginia temporarily halted its creation and scheduled a hearing for June 12 to hear arguments on whether to extend her order prohibiting the government from moving forward with the fund while a pending lawsuit challenges it. 'This Fund was open to anyone who had been subject to that politicization of justice, whether Democrat, Republican, conservative, independent, or otherwise,' the Justice Department stated in a release expressing its disagreement with the ruling. 'The Department will comply with the court's ruling.' Separately, the federal judge in Florida overseeing Trump's lawsuit against the IRS ordered Trump's attorneys to respond to 'serious allegations' from critics of the agreement, who claim the president abandoned his claims to avoid court scrutiny over an illegal deal. District Judge Kathleen Williams gave them until June 12 to respond in writing to allegations of collusion and whether the case should be reopened because the court was 'the victim of a fraud.' This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. A Telemundo Digital editor reviewed the translation.
NationalElon Musk Saw the Domino’s App and Couldn’t Believe Tesla Needed 64 Clicks to Sell a Car
A story shared by former Tesla President Jon McNeill is drawing widespread attention online after he described how Elon Musk used the Domino’s Pizza app as a benchmark for simplifying Tesla’s vehicle purchasing process
NationalSheinbaum criticizes U.S. accusations against Mexican officials and says she will not accept interference
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized U.S. accusations against ten Mexican officials, including Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha, for alleged drug trafficking ties. During a rally in Mexico City, she stated that external intervention in internal matters is unacceptable, framing it as interference rather than cooperation. Sheinbaum expressed skepticism about the motives behind the extradition requests, suggesting they could influence upcoming elections in Mexico. The New York prosecutor's office has charged Rocha and others, prompting an investigation by Mexico's Attorney General, who demands evidence from the U.S. before proceeding with any arrests.
NationalNew immigration rule on 'green cards' could affect over 500,000 people annually
The new rule from U.S. President Donald Trump, which requires 'green card' applicants to return to their home countries while awaiting a decision on their immigration status, represents a significant setback for legal immigration and could impact over half a million people each year, experts consulted by EFE warn. The regulation, implemented last week, will prevent migrants already in the country from adjusting their immigration status in the United States, forcing them to return to their home countries to apply for the so-called 'green card' at consulates. This measure breaks with a practice approved by Congress since 1952 and 'will have a very negative impact on the lives of truly millions of people,' said Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and policy research at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). 'It will complicate many people's lives because they will have to leave their jobs. If they cannot work remotely from another country, they will likely lose their jobs. After losing income, they may be separated from their families for at least months, and in many cases, perhaps most, for years,' he commented. Although there is no precise number of those affected by the measure, the EPI researcher noted that more than half of the million people who obtain a 'green card' each year do so through adjustment of status within the United States. According to the latest official figures from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 58% of the over 1.35 million migrants who obtained legal residency in the United States in fiscal year 2024, which reached 782,770 people, did so this way. The greatest impact will be on migrants with family in the United States, warns the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), as half of the new legal residents are immediate relatives of citizens within the U.S. The policy will also affect immigrants with jobs in the United States, religious workers, beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or 'parole' (humanitarian permission), and individuals who have lived in the country for a long time, explained Benjamin Johnson, AILA's executive director, in a virtual talk with journalists. Additionally, the memorandum issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is 'very vague,' as it does not clarify all types of affected migrants or exceptions, making it impossible to know this with certainty, noted Shev Dalal-Dheini, AILA's director of government relations. Despite the government's claim that this only requires migrants to return home and apply for a visa, Johnson labels this as 'dangerous misinformation.' 'This is not about buying a plane ticket and waiting a little longer. For many people, the process of consulting is not realistic or safe, and for others, it could mean months or years of separation from spouses who are U.S. citizens, children, employers, and communities,' he considered. The measures reflect that the Trump administration is not 'only attacking illegal immigration,' according to Costa, who believes 'it is very clear that they want to reduce legal immigration and are taking steps to do so.' As an example, he cites the halt to asylum at the border with Mexico, the removal of TPS benefits, the pause on refugees except for white immigrants from South Africa, and the suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Uruguay. This will affect the economy, as before Trump's arrival, nearly one in five workers in the United States was an immigrant, cited the EPI expert, who estimates that the country would lose 6 million jobs, 40% of them held by Americans, if the president fulfills his goal of carrying out four million deportations. 'This will have a significant negative economic impact for the entire country and, combined with the impacts we are seeing from the Iran war, this is another very problematic issue for the economy,' Costa pointed out.
NationalMagnitude 6.0 Earthquake Strikes Central Chile Followed by Aftershocks
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck central Chile on Sunday, with its epicenter located 14 miles west of Quintero in the Valparaíso region. The quake occurred at 5:43 PM and was felt in several areas, including Atacama, Coquimbo, O'Higgins, Maule, and the Metropolitan Region. Following the main quake, several aftershocks were recorded in the same vicinity. The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy confirmed that the earthquake did not meet the criteria to generate a tsunami. Felipe Plaza, head of the Early Warning Department, reported no injuries or infrastructure damage at this time.
NationalMike Pence Says Trump Administration Has 'Departed' from Conservative Principles
Former Vice President Mike Pence stated that Donald Trump's second administration has strayed from traditional conservative principles. In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Pence expressed concerns that the current government is no longer committed to the conservative agenda that has defined the Republican Party since Ronald Reagan's era. He acknowledged Trump's popularity among Republican voters but emphasized the need for the party to return to core conservative values. Pence criticized the administration for insufficiently addressing abortion rights and warned that Trump's values could impact Republican performance in the upcoming midterm elections. He also expressed opposition to a Department of Justice fund that could compensate January 6 rioters.
NationalFourth U.S. Attack This Week on Alleged Drug Boat Leaves Three Dead in the Pacific
The U.S. military conducted its fourth attack this week on a vessel accused of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of three men. This operation raises the total death toll to 205 since the series of attacks began in early September. U.S. Southern Command stated the boat was involved in drug trafficking operations and linked to a designated terrorist organization, though no evidence was provided. A video released shows the boat engulfed in flames. The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, claims it is in an armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels responsible for drug flow into U.S. communities.
NationalSocial Security Payments in June: Here Are the Sending Dates
Social Security payments for June will start on June 10, with the exact deposit date determined by the recipient's birth date. Those born from June 1 to 10 will receive their payments on June 10, while those born from June 11 to 20 will get theirs on June 17, and those born from June 21 to 31 will be paid on June 24. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will be made on June 1. For the remainder of 2026, SSI payments will continue on the first of each month. Detailed payment schedules for Social Security are available on the official Social Security Administration website.
NationalColombia Goes to the Polls to Elect Petro's Successor in a Polarized Election
Colombia is heading to a runoff election on June 21 between conservative candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and progressive senator Iván Cepeda after neither secured a majority in the initial vote. De la Espriella received 43.73% of the votes, while Cepeda garnered 40.91%. De la Espriella, who has the support of former President Álvaro Uribe, promises to end peace talks with illegal armed groups and increase military pressure. Cepeda, aligned with outgoing President Gustavo Petro, aims to continue Petro's policies, including the 'total peace' initiative. Both candidates have raised concerns about the preliminary vote count.
NationalWith limited options, Corpus Christi focuses on delaying – not avoiding – its looming water crisis
Corpus Christi is facing a significant water crisis, with Lake Corpus Christi at only 11.8% capacity. After five years of extreme heat and limited rainfall, city leaders are looking for ways to delay the impending emergency rather than avoid it altogether. Options like a controversial desalination plant and new reservoirs are on the table but will take years to implement. In the meantime, mandatory water restrictions and higher fees for excessive use are being considered. Residents have expressed frustration over delayed decisions, while businesses are anxious about the potential economic impact of water limits. The City Council is expected to vote on emergency measures soon.
NationalDune protection funding for South Padre Island threatened by federal budget cuts
South Padre Island faces potential loss of federal funding vital for hurricane and flood protection due to proposed budget cuts from the Trump administration. The National Coastal Zone Management Program funding has supported beach access and dune restoration, crucial for storm surge defense. Shoreline Director Kristina Boburka emphasized the importance of this funding for enhancing the island's resilience. While current projects remain secure, future initiatives may be jeopardized. The city is actively gathering signatures to petition Congress for funding protection, with a submission deadline set for next Saturday.
NationalMembers of pro-immigration group LUPE hit by Trump crackdown on immigration
Members of the pro-immigration group LUPE are facing challenges due to heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Yenniffer England, a DACA recipient and LUPE member, was recently released from detention after three months, highlighting the impact of strict policies. Four other LUPE members have been detained or deported, and over 20 have lost their DACA status due to processing delays. LUPE's president, Tania Chavez Camacho, expressed concern that fear of ICE detentions is reducing community engagement in their events. The group is advocating for legislative changes to protect immigrants and is providing assistance to those affected by the loss of work permits.
NationalTrump's Doctor Reveals President's Health Status After Checkup
President Donald Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, reported that the president is in "excellent health" and fully capable of serving as commander-in-chief after a medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The three-hour check-up included a CT scan, cardiac imaging, cancer screenings, and evaluations by 22 specialists. At 79 years old, Trump weighed 238 pounds, an increase of 14 pounds since April 2025. His cognitive assessment scored 30 out of 30, unchanged from previous years. The report noted some bruising on his hands and recommended lifestyle changes, including a switch to low-dose aspirin. Trump will turn 80 next month.