Politics
Politics news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsPastors Detained by Immigration at McAllen Airport
Pastors Nepthali Zozaya and Cinthia Cardona were detained by immigration authorities at McAllen International Airport while on their way to a spiritual retreat organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They reported being pressured by agents to sign a voluntary departure to avoid appearing before an immigration judge. The couple, who hold R visas for religious work and have three U.S. citizen children, refused to abandon their legal process despite warnings of prolonged detention and potential separation. Their congregation is currently caring for their children, and the exact location of their detention remains unknown. ICE has been contacted for further information.
PoliticsGovernor Abbott Announces Latest Round of Statewide Board and Advisory Appointments
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed several individuals to key advisory roles in Texas. Sherri O’Daniel joins the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee with a term ending February 1, 2029. Dana Dodgen and Celina Perez were also appointed, with terms expiring on February 1, 2031. This committee provides guidance on early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental needs. Additionally, Rusty Peterson has been appointed to the Governing Board of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, with his term set to expire on January 31, 2027. This school supports students with visual impairments and their families.
PoliticsGov. Abbott Orders State Regulators to Shield Texas Homeowners From Data Center Costs
Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) are implementing measures to shield Texas homeowners from the financial impact of data center expansions. Following his directive from June 10, the agencies are ensuring that data centers cover their own infrastructure costs and do not shift expenses to residential ratepayers. Key actions include requiring data centers to contribute to reducing residential electric bills and prioritizing power for Texas families. Abbott aims to solidify these protections in collaboration with the Legislature in the upcoming session.
Politics'According to Scripture, do not be afraid': Nun detained by ICE shares her story
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Sister Letty, a Nigerian-born Catholic nun, shared her story to ValleyCentral of the day she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers while walking to Sunday Mass. On June 28, Sister Letty was walking to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen like she has for more
PoliticsValley nun speaks out following ICE detainment, fights removal to third country
Sister Letty, a nun from the Rio Grande Valley, held a press conference at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen after being detained by ICE in June. Her attorney announced that she faces a final removal order following an asylum denial but has been granted protection from deportation to Nigeria under the U.N. Convention Against Torture. Although ICE is considering deporting her to a third country, Sister Letty has complied with all legal requirements since 2019 and holds a valid work permit. She expressed gratitude for community support and hopes for a favorable resolution during her upcoming ICE check-in.
PoliticsPublic input needed on road widening proposal in San Benito
San Benito officials are inviting public feedback on a proposal to widen Oscar Williams Road. The Texas Department of Transportation, along with Cameron County and the city, aims to expand the road between Business 77 and San Jose Ranch Road. Eric Davila, Chief Development Engineer for the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, emphasized the importance of public involvement in reviewing the project. A virtual meeting is set for Wednesday, July 29, at 5 p.m. Residents can find more details on how to participate.
PoliticsFormer Governor Ernesto Ruffo Faces Charges for Fuel Trafficking
MEXICO CITY – A federal judge has ordered the initiation of legal proceedings against former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel and seven others for their alleged involvement in an organized crime network related to the smuggling and illegal trade of hydrocarbons, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported on Thursday. The former politician, who has been in preventive detention since Sunday, was identified as Ernesto 'N' and is being prosecuted for probable responsibility in the crimes of organized crime, smuggling, and offenses related to hydrocarbons. The Federal Public Ministry, attached to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), presented 'compelling evidence' to support the charges and succeeded in having the judge uphold the precautionary measure of preventive detention. As a result, the former governor will remain incarcerated at the Federal Social Rehabilitation Center (Cefereso) number 1, Altiplano, in the State of Mexico.
PoliticsNun who was detained by ICE while walking to Mass in Texas says many are in her situation
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A nun who was taken into immigration custody after being arrested while walking to Mass in her habit last month in Texas pleaded Thursday for people to have the chance to be heard before being taken into custody, saying she was speaking out to help others. “There are many others in
PoliticsValley nun speaks out following ICE detention
Sister Letty, a nun from the Rio Grande Valley, held a press conference at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen after her detention by ICE in June. Her attorney revealed that she faces a final removal order following an asylum denial but has received protection from deportation to Nigeria under the U.N. Convention Against Torture. Despite this, she must check in with ICE next week, where she may face conditions such as wearing an ankle monitor. Sister Letty expressed gratitude for community support and hopes her years of service will influence immigration officials' decisions regarding her case.
PoliticsSister Letty Breaks Silence Before ICE Appointment
Sister Letty, who was arrested by ICE and released on June 29, is set to read a prepared statement regarding her detention and the legal steps ahead. Her legal team announced that she must appear at the ICE offices located at 1717 Zoy Street in McAllen on Tuesday, July 28. During this appointment, immigration authorities may require her to wear an electronic ankle monitor or potentially detain her again. Organizers of the event aim to express gratitude for the support from religious leaders, elected officials, and community members, while urging ICE to consider her case's circumstances and her history of service.
PoliticsCity of Brownsville, Midtown Entertainment District come to agreement following attempted shutdown
The city of Brownsville has reached an agreement with businesses in the Midtown Entertainment District after an attempt to shut down several bars due to code violations. The violations included serving minors, allowing illegal substances, and serving alcohol past legal hours. A temporary restraining order against the city has been lifted, provided that the businesses file an administrative appeal. The city will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with codes, although the schedule for these inspections is not yet known. Bars can continue operating, but the city retains the right to revoke occupancy certificates if violations occur.
Politics$2M grant to fund street improvements in Mission
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A multimillion-dollar grant will fund street improvements in the city of Mission, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Tuesday. The Texas General Land Office approved $2 million in funds from the Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program, which supports communities with outstanding unmet needs from federally declared disasters. According to GLO, the grant
PoliticsGov. Abbott orders multi-agency probe into alleged 'birth tourism schemes'
overnor Greg Abbott signed an executive order Tuesday directing Texas agencies to investigate alleged “birth tourism schemes” involving the state’s healthcare system. The directive calls for statewide coordination but appears to rely on agencies’ existing oversight powers rather than create new enforcement authority.
PoliticsMexico Files 20 Complaints in the U.S. Over Deaths of Nationals in ICE Custody
The Mexican government has filed 20 complaints with state and county prosecutors in the United States regarding the deaths of 17 nationals that occurred since May during operations or while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This marks a new escalation in efforts to demand clarification of these cases. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) announced on Wednesday that the complaints were filed on July 13 by Mexico's ambassador to the U.S., Roberto Lazzeri, in the jurisdictions where the deaths occurred: eight with state prosecutors and 12 with county prosecutors in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas. In addition to these actions, the Mexican Embassy submitted a complaint to the Department of Justice through the State Department on July 14, requesting a formal investigation into the 17 cases and updates on the progress of the inquiries. The Foreign Ministry clarified that these actions are part of the follow-up to measures announced on July 9 by President Claudia Sheinbaum, after the Mexican government reported the deaths of 17 nationals in ICE operations or detention centers since May of this year. It also noted that Ambassador Lazzeri held meetings last week with officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE, where he expressed the Mexican government's concerns about conditions in detention centers, including those operated by private companies, and requested clarification on each of the deaths.
PoliticsGov. Abbott appoints Region One ESC Senior Director to state committee
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday appointed a senior director for the Region One Education Service Center to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee. Celina Perez of San Benito will serve on the state committee that advises the Texas Health and Human Services on the development and implementation of policies. Perez's term is
PoliticsTexas executive order targets 'birth tourism schemes'
On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order aimed at eliminating “birth tourism schemes” in Texas.
PoliticsMelt ICE Bill Aims to Dismantle Immigration Control Operations
One day after the House of Representatives approved a resolution to extend funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Congresswoman Delia Ramírez criticized her colleagues for not supporting her 'MELT ICE Act,' which seeks to dismantle immigration control operations. 'My colleagues in Congress are passing legislation to give more money to ICE. How much more can we give to this place of terror, to these soldiers of terror who are terrorizing our community? I thought it was very important that we were here discussing the legislation I am introducing that would end detention,' Ramírez stated. She called on Congress this Wednesday to pass her 'Melt ICE' bill, which aims to eliminate ICE's authority and stop funding allocated to DHS for the surveillance, detention, and deportation of immigrants. The initiative seeks to gain support in the Senate and House of Representatives to end immigration operations and redirect resources allocated to ICE towards housing and healthcare programs for communities. 'It would be prohibited for any federal money to be used for detention. This means they cannot stop you on a street and put you in detention, where you will end up dying or being deported,' Ramírez said. During the press conference, Ramírez joined the expressions of immigrant rights advocates and the testimony of the sister of Jesús Manuel Arenas-Silva, a man who died on July 13 while in ICE custody in Georgia.
PoliticsSmall Texas Town Takes on Trump Administration Over Border Wall Construction
On one side: a small community in rural Texas. On the other: the Trump administration. A tiny Texas town near the Mexico border is fighting government efforts to build a border wall that would cut through a levee system protecting the community. The town argued in court on Tuesday that the wall could lead to flooding and that the government is not adhering to the law as it rushes forward with its plans. The federal court hearing took place as the Department of Homeland Security pushes its $46 billion plan to complete a border wall from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, fulfilling what has long been a signature promise of President Donald Trump. However, the department is facing opposition from landowners, environmental groups, indigenous tribes, and others who argue that the government's rapid construction endangers historical and religious sites and a way of life along the border, at a time when crossings from Mexico are already at extremely low levels. The lawsuit filed by the Presidio development district pits a small town of just over 3,200 residents against a key department in the government's plans to carry out its mass deportation agenda. It also highlights a longstanding issue that has been significant for many Americans, particularly Republicans: the friction that sometimes arises between small municipalities and the federal government in Washington.
PoliticsAbbott signs executive order targeting birth tourism schemes following investigation at Valley hospitals
Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order aimed at investigating and shutting down birth tourism schemes in Texas. This order specifically targets licensed healthcare providers involved in such practices. Two hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley, Mission Regional Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center, are currently under investigation for allegedly promoting birth packages to foreign nationals. Abbott emphasized that Texas will not tolerate the misuse of immigration laws for profit and has directed various state agencies to take enforcement actions against any violations. These actions may include revoking licenses and collaborating with federal authorities.