Politics
Politics news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsBorder residents worried about ICE raids, delays in DACA renewals
Several families met with a South Texas congressman and LUPE director on Thursday in Rio Grande City, Texas, expressing their fears of being picked up in ICE raids.
PoliticsHarlingen City Commission revises public comment proposal
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Harlingen City Commission met on Wednesday for its initial review of a draft proposing changes and regulations to its code of conduct about the public comment period at city meetings. A draft of the proposed changes was first presented at a city meeting on July 1. At the Wednesday meeting,
PoliticsValley counties recruiting poll workers for Nov. 3 election
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Nov. 3 general election is a little less than three months away and local elections administrators are beginning to staff up with poll workers for both early voting and Election Day. Poll workers are responsible for setting up polling locations, checking in voters, making sure paperwork is filled out correctly and
PoliticsValley counties recruiting poll workers for Nov. 3 election
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Nov. 3 general election is a little less than three months away and local elections administrators are beginning to staff up with poll workers for both early voting and Election Day. Poll workers are responsible for setting up polling locations, checking in voters, making sure paperwork is filled out correctly and
PoliticsMission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza Cites Infrastructure, Public Safety and Growth as Reelection Priorities
Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza has outlined her reelection priorities, emphasizing infrastructure, public safety, and economic growth. She highlighted her collaboration with the Mission Consolidated Independent School District to tackle drainage issues, with ongoing projects on Citriana Drive and near Bryan School. Key initiatives include the expansion of Taylor Road and the development of a new water treatment plant. Gonzalez Garza anticipates significant economic growth with the upcoming Anzalduas International Bridge opening to commercial traffic. She also noted improvements in public safety through technology investments and aims to attract higher-paying jobs to enhance affordability in the city.
PoliticsDHS Secretary tours border wall, meets with agents in Rio Grande Valley
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin visited the Rio Grande Valley border on Tuesday and met with border law enforcement agents and viewed new border wall and border buoys put in the Rio Grande.
PoliticsDe La Cruz pushes for quicker approval of religious worker visas
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, is asking the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the processing of religious worker visa applications and renewals. The request, written in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, comes after the recent arrests of two pastors and a Catholic nun by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsCity of Harlingen highlights importance of permits
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Harlingen Planning and Development Department is reminding residents about the importance of obtaining a permit before starting a project. The reminder comes after several residents were told by local construction companies that they did not need a permit for certain projects. Harlingen Planning and Development Director Ana Hernandez
PoliticsGovernor Abbott to Visit Alamo to Promote Tax-Free Weekend
Alamo, TX – Texas Governor Greg Abbott will visit the city of Alamo on Thursday, August 6, to highlight the start of Tax-Free Weekend, the annual weekend when Texans can purchase school supplies, clothing, and other eligible items without paying state sales tax. The event will take place at the Walmart Supercenter in Alamo, where Abbott will tour the school supplies area before delivering a message to the public and the media. During the visit, the governor will be joined by Alamo Mayor J.R. Garza, PSJA Memorial Early College High School Principal Dr. Raquel García, and Walmart representatives, including Juan Pecina, Ivan Jaime, and Diana Cantú.
PoliticsDe La Cruz Urges DHS to Speed Religious Worker Visa Processing
U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz from Texas has called on DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to expedite the processing of religious worker visa applications. In her letter, she highlighted that delays are impacting faith leaders and the communities they serve in Texas. De La Cruz emphasized the importance of religious workers for churches and faith-based institutions, which are essential for community support. She noted that current processing times range from 8.5 to 11.5 months and urged the use of all available resources to reduce these delays. Additionally, she co-sponsored the bipartisan Religious Worker Protection Act to further support religious workers.
PoliticsCommissioners approve Cameron County beach access fee increase
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County commissioners on Tuesday approved a $3 increase to the entry fee for county beaches. Effective Oct. 1, day passes to Isla Blanca Park, Andy Bowie Park, E.K. Atwood Park Beach Access No. 5, Cameron County Beach Access No. 3 and Cameron County Beach Access No. 6 will increase from
PoliticsTeenager Detained While Heading to Church and Her Father Released by ICE in Texas
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After spending several days in an ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas, teenager Emely Suaza and her father, Fernando Suaza, were released on Tuesday and were able to reunite with their family. The young girl caught the community's attention after being detained while heading to Mass at the Church of the Grotto of Lourdes in San Antonio. "Happy for the freedom and for having my daughter free again and being with our families," Fernando expressed after regaining his freedom. According to the family, on the day of the detention, the young girl was taken to a processing center in Crosspoint. Subsequently, agents reportedly contacted her parents to inform them that they could pick her up. However, Fernando claims that upon arrival, he was also detained. "Deceived because I went to pick her up since she was supposedly going to be released, but I was taken into the offices and told that I would also be processed with her," he stated. Telemundo has not been able to independently confirm this version with ICE. Father and daughter were later transferred to the Dilley detention center, where they remained for several days. "Very difficult and very hard because everything comes crashing down on you... a lot of worry. You think it’s the end," Fernando recounted. During their detention, Fernando's wife made the family's situation public, generating community support and attracting the attention of Congressman Joaquín Castro, who shared images of their release. In a statement, the legislator noted that father and daughter should never have been detained, as they have a pending asylum case. Additionally, Castro added, they have a Social Security number and work permit. Before leaving the detention center, Emely sent a message to the authorities. "Latino children today are the tomorrow of this country. Don’t lock them up; protect them," she expressed.
PoliticsMinnesota county attorney asks Gov. Abbott to extradite ICE agent arrested in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Months after an immigration officer was arrested in Harlingen on charges relating to a Minneapolis shooting, a county attorney is asking the Texas governor to extradite the man to face court proceedings in Minnesota. In a letter dated July 30, Hennepin County attorney Mary F. Moriarty requested that Gov. Greg Abbott sign extradition paperwork for Christian J.
PoliticsData center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Amid growing public backlash to the rapid buildout of data centers across Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced a moratorium on the approval of data centers until regulatory agencies can audit proposed data centers seeking connection to the state’s electric grid. It is unclear how long the audit will take, but the effort is
PoliticsHidalgo County precincts 1 and 4 team up to repave road north of Donna
Crews have begun repaving Anderson Road north of Donna, a collaborative effort between Hidalgo County Precincts 1 and 4. The $250,000 project, funded equally by both precincts, aims to enhance this vital corridor used by commuters. The first phase of repaving extends from Val Verde Road to FM 493 and follows six months of preparation. Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres noted that residents had expressed concerns about the road's condition prior to the project. Improvements will also include expanding a drainage ditch and adding road shoulders for safety. Each phase of the project is expected to take about two weeks to complete.
PoliticsProsecutor asks Gov. Abbott to sign extradition papers for RGV ICE agent facing assault charges in Minnesota
The Hennepin County Attorney, Mary F. Moriarty, has requested Texas Governor Greg Abbott to sign extradition papers for Christian Castro, an ICE agent from the Rio Grande Valley, facing multiple assault charges in Minnesota. Castro is charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime, stemming from a January 14, 2026, incident in Minneapolis where he shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Arrested on May 29, 2026, in Harlingen, Castro remains in Cameron County jail with a bail set at $200,000. The governor's office has not commented on the extradition request.
PoliticsBorder residents say the wall is being built on long-established flood plains
Residents in the South Texas town of San Ygnacio say planned construction of border wall and border buoys in the Rio Grande will violate construction restrictions in a decades-old flood hazard area, and they worry it isn't safe.
PoliticsHidalgo County hiring poll workers for Nov. 3 election
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County Elections Department is hiring poll workers for the general election happening in November. The department is preparing to hire 900 Hidalgo County election poll workers. Applicants can choose to apply for one of the following poll worker positions: The Hidalgo County Elections Department requires that applicants do the
PoliticsAbbott Says Republican Statewide Candidates Unite Ahead of November Election
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently hosted a meeting at the Governor’s Mansion with all Republican candidates for statewide office, marking their first gathering to strategize for the upcoming November election. Abbott emphasized the importance of maintaining Republican control in Texas, stating that the meeting aimed to ensure a united front against Democratic policies. Notable attendees included Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton. While specific details about the agenda were not disclosed, the meeting highlighted the party's commitment to a cohesive campaign as they prepare for the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026.