Politics
Politics news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsTexas DACA recipient will be allowed to return after Trump administration deported him
Un beneficiario del programa DACA en Texas, que había sido deportado durante la administración de Trump, ahora tiene permiso para regresar al país. Este caso marca un avance significativo en los derechos de los inmigrantes jóvenes protegidos por DACA, quienes enfrentaron incertidumbre bajo políticas anteriores.
PoliticsAppeals court rejects Trump no-bond immigration detentions, setting stage for Supreme Court review
Un tribunal de apelaciones ha rechazado la política de la administración Trump que permitía detenciones migratorias sin derecho a fianza. Este fallo podría llevar el caso ante la Corte Suprema, donde se decidirá el futuro de esta controvertida medida. La decisión marca un importante revés para las políticas migratorias de la administración anterior.
Politics14 border county judges ask feds to include them in wall talks
All 14 county judges from the Texas border sent a letter to the head of the Department of Homeland Security asking "to serve as partners" in matters concerning security along the border with Mexico, including border wall construction.
PoliticsBorder Report Live: 'What are they hiding?'
During a recent congressional oversight visit to a migrant detention facility in San Benito, Texas, where pregnant youth are held, U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, says she didn't see one child.
PoliticsBrownsville's International Boulevard opening postponed for second time
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation has postponed the opening of Brownsville's International Boulevard for the second time. According to a news release from TxDOT, the full width of State Highway 4, also known as International Boulevard, between I-69E and Wilson Street, was initially scheduled to open on April 22, before being rescheduled
PoliticsSDTX Hits 20,000 Cases in Border Enforcement Push
Since the implementation of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed a total of 20,069 cases against 20,374 individuals in immigration and related matters.
PoliticsWhite House Pressures ABC to Fire Jimmy Kimmel Over Comment About First Lady
The White House escalated pressure on ABC Tuesday to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a comment he made about First Lady Melania Trump last week, with a senior advisor stating the comedian 'should be sidelined for the rest of his life.' In a post on X, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung used strong language to criticize Kimmel for making a 'disgusting joke' and 'doubling down on it instead of doing the decent thing and apologizing.' 'ABC must fire him immediately,' Cheung said, echoing a demand made by President Donald Trump. The president and first lady have strongly condemned Kimmel for referring to her as a 'widow-in-waiting' during last Thursday's episode. Two days later, a gunman opened fire outside the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington. The Trumps and senior administration officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton ballroom. The suspect faces three charges, including attempted assassination of the U.S. president. Kimmel addressed the wave of criticism at the start of his Monday show, framing his 'widow' comment as a joke about the 23-year age gap between the Trumps. 'It was a very light roast-style joke about the fact that he’s nearly 80 and she’s younger than me. By no means, under any definition, was it a call for murder,' Kimmel said, adding that he believes the country should reject 'hateful and violent rhetoric.' Kimmel's latest monologue had surpassed 2.2 million views on the 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' YouTube channel as of Tuesday morning. ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Co., have remained publicly silent regarding the war of words between the White House and Kimmel. The network and media giant did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The criticism of Kimmel comes seven months after ABC briefly suspended his talk show amid a media storm over his comments about the political motivations of the man accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. During that controversy, Nexstar and Sinclair — two major owners of local TV stations — pulled Kimmel's show from their programming for nine days. (Together, Nexstar and Sinclair own 70 ABC affiliates across the U.S.) Nexstar and Sinclair did not immediately respond to NBC News' inquiries about whether they plan to interrupt Kimmel's show again. Kimmel's remarks about the suspect in Kirk's murder also drew scrutiny from Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and the top federal regulator of the broadcasting sector. Carr accused Kimmel of exhibiting 'the most sickening behavior imaginable.' On Tuesday, the FCC is expected to issue an order requiring Disney-owned and directly operated TV stations to submit their broadcast license renewal applications ahead of schedule, according to a source familiar with the matter. The source called the move 'unprecedented' and noted it was tied to a year-long investigation into Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, though the uproar over Kimmel's comments accelerated the process.
PoliticsU.S. to Issue Commemorative Passports Featuring Trump’s Photo for 250th Independence Anniversary
The U.S. Department of State announced Tuesday that it is preparing a limited edition of commemorative passports to celebrate the country’s 250th Independence anniversary. These passports will feature an image of President Donald Trump, making him the first living president to appear on the travel document. The special passport design, including an illustration of Trump with a stern expression, underwent months of consideration before being approved late Monday. Between 25,000 and 30,000 of these passports will be available shortly before July 4th at the Washington, D.C. passport office. This initiative is part of a broader trend of incorporating Trump’s name and image into high-profile tributes, including proposals to feature his signature on new U.S. paper currency and his image on a commemorative gold coin marking the nation’s founding. The commemorative passport will be the default option for applicants visiting the Washington office in person, while standard passports will remain available online or at other locations. "To celebrate the United States commemorating its 250th Independence anniversary in July, the Department of State is preparing to issue a limited number of U.S. passports with a special design to mark this historic occasion," said Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for the Department of State. The limited-edition passport will include Trump’s photo over a gold seal of his signature on an interior page, while the cover will feature the words "United States of America" in gold at the top and "Passport" at the bottom, reversing the standard design. Additionally, the back cover will display a small gold plate with the U.S. flag and the number 250 surrounded by stars. The Bulwark previously reported on the commemorative passports. Currently, the only presidents featured in U.S. passports are depicted in a two-page illustration of Mount Rushmore: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Other representations include the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, along with scenes of the Great Plains, mountains, and islands. Current passports also include quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. and presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Dwight Eisenhower. The addition of Trump’s photo and signature to the passport booklet is the latest move by his advisors to enhance the president’s visibility, including naming the U.S. Institute of Peace building and the Kennedy Center’s performing arts venue after him. Trump has also sparked controversy with plans for a new White House ballroom and a massive arch to be built at one of Washington’s entrances from Virginia.
PoliticsEastland family, DSHS set to testify in 2nd day of legislative hearing on deadly July 4 floods
Tuesday marks the second day of a legislative hearing on the July 2025 floods, which resulted in the death of 25 Camp Mystic campers, two counselors, and the operator of Camp Mystic, Dick Eastland.
PoliticsWater Supply Debate Expands Across Sectors in Rio Grande Valley
Regional leaders across multiple forums and interviews have described a widening water crisis in the Rio Grande Valley, affecting municipalities, industry, and agriculture, and have highlighted the cost and complexity of delivering a reliable supply.
PoliticsSan Benito mayoral candidates make final pitches to voters
SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Both candidates in the San Benito mayoral race say their goal is to move the city forward. Incumbent Mayor Ricardo Guerra is seeking a third term against Pedro "Pete" Galvan, who has served as a city commissioner alongside the mayor since 2020. Guerra says his main focus is infrastructure and flood
PoliticsFor the Second Time: Government Files Charges Against Former FBI Director Comey
WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director James Comey was charged on Tuesday in connection with an investigation involving a photograph posted on social media. The image depicted seashells arranged on a beach, which authorities claim represented a threat against President Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. The individual, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue, confirmed the charges to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity. The specific charge or charges against Comey were not immediately disclosed. This marks the second criminal case the Department of Justice has initiated against Trump’s former adversary. Comey stated that he believed the arrangement of the shells—which he noticed during a walk and formed the inscription '86 47'—was a political message rather than a call to violence.
PoliticsUSCIS Reminds Asylum Applicants to Pay Annual Fee or Face Consequences
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that asylum applicants who fail to pay the annual fee will have their applications rejected. In a statement on its website, USCIS explained that 'in an effort to comply with the legal mandate requiring the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the annual fee payment, the interim final rule establishes that if a foreign national does not pay the annual fee within 30 days of notification, USCIS will reject their pending asylum application. If the foreign national does not have legal status in the United States, USCIS will also initiate removal proceedings.' The Department of Homeland Security implemented the annual fee for asylum applicants last year as a way to increase revenue to support immigration operations.
PoliticsMayor Ochoa and Ellie Torres Highlight Regional Push to Strengthen Drainage System
Texas Border Business By Texas Border Business Omar Ochoa and Ellie Torres, Precinct 4 commissioner for Hidalgo County, outlined efforts to improve drainage across the region, emphasizing how city and county systems work together to manage water flow in Edinburg and surrounding areas. Ochoa said the discussion is part of an ongoing public series on
PoliticsKing Charles Meets with Trump at the White House; Will Address Congress Next
WASHINGTON DC — King Charles III is set to don some of Washington's most formal ceremonial attire on Tuesday in an effort to underscore the deep ties between the United Kingdom and the United States. He will become the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did so in 1991. Her speech highlighted the shared history of both nations and the importance of their democratic values—topics Charles is expected to emphasize in his address. Such speeches are reserved for the world's most prominent leaders, including Pope Francis, Václav Havel, and Winston Churchill. This event is likely to be Charles's most significant public appearance during his four-day visit to the United States, which aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. Earlier this year, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson became the first sitting leader of the House to address the UK Parliament. On Monday, Johnson attended a reception in Washington's gardens alongside the king, where he remarked that he had assured Charles he would be "warmly welcomed" in Congress.
PoliticsSouth Texas immigration attorneys report pattern of DACA processing delays
Abogados especializados en inmigración en el sur de Texas han observado un patrón preocupante de retrasos en el procesamiento de solicitudes de DACA. Según los informes, estos retrasos están afectando a jóvenes inmigrantes que dependen del programa para obtener protección contra la deportación y permisos de trabajo. Los abogados están instando a las autoridades a abordar el problema de manera urgente para evitar impactos negativos en los solicitantes.
PoliticsImmigration 'trap': New decision could leave DACA holders vulnerable to removal
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals, part of the Justice Department, could make it easier to deport Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals holders—potentially weakening protections under the program. This is causing many in the Rio Grande Valley to fear, even though they might have temporary protected status under the
PoliticsRay Thomas Urges Lawyers to Vote as State Bar Election Nears Deadline April 30th
With only a few days remaining before the April 30, 2026, deadline, Ray Thomas is calling on members of the State Bar of Texas to participate in the election for president-elect, noting that “90% of the lawyers have yet to vote” and stressing that participation is critical.
PoliticsMexico De-escalates Tension with U.S. Over CIA Agents Case
MEXICO CITY — President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out a conflict with the United States on Monday following an incident involving two CIA agents who died in an accident in Chihuahua state. According to Mexico, the agents were not authorized to operate in the country. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum expressed her willingness to move past the controversy that erupted last week after it was revealed that the agents had died alongside two local prosecutor's office officials during an operation to dismantle a synthetic drug lab. 'We hope this is an exceptional case... that situations like this do not happen again,' the president said. On Saturday, the federal Security Secretariat stated in a press release that one of the U.S. agents had entered Mexico as a visitor, while the other had entered with a diplomatic passport. The agency also confirmed it was unaware of foreign agents operating in its territory. The deceased Americans were members of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), confirmed The Associated Press last week through a U.S. official and two other individuals familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of intelligence issues. The CIA has not commented on the case. Last year, the Mexican government reached an agreement with the administration of Donald Trump to coordinate security actions and exchange information while respecting the sovereignty of both nations.