Another Border Patrol agent dies from COVID-19 in Arizona

Border Patrol lost a second agent in Southern Arizona to COVID-19 in November, one of 55 CBP employees killed by coronavirus — including seven federal border officers and agents in Arizona. COVID has become the leading cause of death of U.S. law enforcement officers.... Read more»

50% more migrants in detention centers under Biden

When President Joe Biden came into office, he began to roll back the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including the 2017 memo that authorities arrest every undocumented person they find - but advocates say that hasn’t been the reality since Biden was inaugurated.... Read more»

Court order forces feds to revive Trump-era 'Remain in Mexico' policy

The Department of Homeland Security said it reached a deal with Mexico on Thursday to restart the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols program, a policy that President Joe Biden suspended on his first day in office and formally terminated in June. ... Read more»

Lawsuit alleges U.S. gun manufacturers bear responsibility for Mexico violence

In an effort to reduce gun smuggling, the Mexican government is suing a group of gun manufacturers — including Glock, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing and Colt’s Manufacturing — in the United States, and the first hearing was held last week in Boston. ... Read more»

New guidelines issued for care for pregnant women, mothers with babies born in Border Patrol stations

Customs and Border Protection released new guidelines for the treatment of pregnant woman and infants in custody at Border Patrol stations, following a critical report from a federal watchdog and pressure from 11 Democratic senators. ... Read more»

Immigration protections in Biden’s social policy bill face a new test in the Senate

Nearly 100 House Democrats are pushing the Senate to expand immigration protections in President Joe Biden’s massive social spending and climate bill, and advocates say that it may be a last opportunity for years to advance any reform. ... Read more»

Most city of Tucson, federal gov't workers vaccinated against COVID

Despite rhetorical fury and legal challenges from Republican leaders, and worries that mandates would fail, most city of Tucson and federal government workers have gotten their COVID-19 vaccine shots or sought exemptions, according to new data.... Read more»

Guest opinion

Goldman: This Thanksgiving give thanks to immigrants

This Thanksgiving every American should all be thankful for immigrants. Immigrants are the artery that keeps the heart pumping in this country.... Read more»

In lieu of path to citizenship, advocates cheer immigration reforms in spending bill

While a pathway to citizenship was nixed in the most recent version of the Build Back Better Act, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and immigration advocates still welcome the protections from deportation expected to impact about 6.5 million undocumented immigrants. ... Read more»

Texas uses shipping containers to create 'steel wall' next to Eagle Pass border bridge

Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted a video Wednesday of the state’s latest attempt to secure the Texas-Mexico border: about 20 shipping containers lined up along the riverbank next to the international bridge that connects Eagle Pass with Mexico. ... Read more»

Immigrants make last-ditch plea for deportation protections, work permits in Build Back Better

Undocumented workers and immigration advocates pushed for Democrats to keep work permits and protections from deportations in the final version of the $1.85 trillion Build Back Better social spending and climate package that the U.S. House approved Friday morning.... Read more»

Judge tosses Native activist's 'religous freedom' defense in border wall protest case

Amber Ortega, a Southern Arizona border activist arrested last year protesting the construction of the border wall near Quitobaquito Springs, cannot use a federal law protecting religious freedom as her criminal defense, a judge ruled Thursday.... Read more»

Arizona senator wants to cancel vote on in-state Dreamer tuition because GOP senators were in minority

Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita says voters shouldn’t get to weigh in on a ballot measure next year that would repeal a state law prohibiting undocumented students from accessing in-state tuition because not enough Republicans supported the proposal.... Read more»

Immigration court backlog reached nearly 1.5 million in October

The backlog of cases in the nation’s immigration courts has risen to nearly 1.5 million in the last nine months, continuing a growth spiral that has been largely unchecked through two presidential administrations.... Read more»

U.S. halts resettlement of new refugees, prioritizes release of Afghan evacuees

The federal government is pausing its resettlement program for refugees around the world through early January 2022 to prioritize services for thousands of Afghan evacuees who are expected to exit military bases and arrive in cities across the country in the coming months.... Read more»