How Trump could use county sheriffs for mass deportations: Report
President-elect Donald Trump may grant state and local law enforcement agencies, like sheriff’s departments, the power to carry out very specific immigration enforcement functions. The authority comes from Section 287(g), which was added to the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1996.
The program allows the officers to remove incarcerated criminal noncitizens before they are released back into the community. Everything is done under the direction and oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The jail enforcement model targets those with criminal or pending criminal charges who have already been arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies.
The Warrant Service Officer Program allows ICE to train, certify and authorize local law enforcement officers to execute administrative warrants on noncitizens already in their agency’s jail.
As of May 2024, ICE had jail enforcement model agreements with 60 law enforcement agencies in 16 states. The depart ment had warrant service officer agreements with 75 agencies in 11 states.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Trump is also considering a plan to redirect billions of dollars from NGO’s and cities that support newly arrived migrants to law enforcement agencies that turn migrants over to ICE.
The Journal report stated the Trump transition team is aware it will need to significantly increase resources if they are to carry out a mass deportation operation.
Incoming border czar Thomas Homan said he guarantees federal funds will be cut from states and cities that don’t cooperate with deportations. The Trump administration plans to reward those that cooperate.
Homan said they’ll prioritize deporting people who are a threat to public safety and national security. He said that will include fugitives, those on the terrorist watchlist and individuals who’ve been convicted of a crime.
Texas may bus migrants to ICE facilities, rather than sanctuary cities: Report
Texas officials are considering a plan to bus migrants directly to ICE holding centers so they can be quickly processed for deportation, according to a report in the New York Post. The proposal would be a continuation of Operation Lone Star and has not been approved by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“We spent a lot of taxpayer money to have the level of deterrent that we have on the border and we can’t just walk away,” a Texas government source told the Post.
Since Operation Lone Star began in 2021, Texas has spent $11 billion deploying National Guard and Department of Public Safety officers to the border in addition to building new sections of border wall.
It’s unclear exactly which facilities Texas officials plan to send migrants to. However, there are 20 ICE detention and processing centers throughout Texas.
President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar Thomas Homan said Abbott has not discussed the plan with him.
“We’re going to help them finish this job and secure Texas and we’re going to work in partnership,” Homan told the Post. “And [Abbott] doesn’t have to worry about this administration suing him … to secure the Texas border.”
Since April 2022, Texas has bused approximately 119,000 migrants to sanctuary cities around the country. Some of those cities included New York, Chicago, Denver and Washington, D.C.
A report in the Texas Tribune said that as of February 2024, the state had spent $148 million on the one way rides.
The official cited in the Post report said the state would be reimbursed by the federal government under the new plan.
The Texas Land Commissioner announced she’ll provide the Trump administration with more than 1,400 acres along the Rio Grande river to help carry out its planned mass deportation operation.
Homan said they’ll prioritize public safety and national security threats, fugitives, those on the terrorist watchlist and individuals who have been convicted of a crime.
Trump’s incoming ‘border czar’ visits National Guard as part of border visit
President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, in Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 26, as part of a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. During his visit, Homan also stopped to serve meals to members of the Texas National Guard stationed there.
“Because the Border Patrol is so overwhelmed taking care of this humanitarian crisis, many of them are pulled off the line, and what happens then?” Homan said while speaking to the troops. “600% increase in sex trafficking, fentanyl coming across the border killing a quarter of a million Americans, record number of people on the terrorist watchlist crossing the border, over 2 million known got-aways.
“How many of them come from a country sponsoring terror? How many of them were carrying fentanyl? How many of them are sex trafficking women and children? How many of them are gang members?”
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nearly 11 million known migrants crossed the U.S. southern border during the Biden-Harris administration.
Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, have bused migrants to “sanctuary cities” throughout the country, seeking to share the burden of the border crisis.
Shelters in cities like New York, Chicago and Boston have become overwhelmed, prompting Democratic mayors to call on the federal government to do more to help accommodate asylum-seekers.
Trump has said he plans to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants when he returns to the White House, and he has tapped Homan to lead the efforts.
Some Democratic mayors, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, have stated they will not assist the incoming Trump administration with mass deportation efforts.
Johnston said he is willing to go to jail to protect migrants in his city.
Homan appeared on “Hannity” the night of Monday, Nov. 25, before his visit to the southern border, and he said sanctuary cities are breaking the law.
“Well, look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing,” Homan said. “He’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail.”
Trump has also suggested he will use the military to carry out his mass deportation plan.
As Trump plans record deportations, how would it compare to past presidents?
The U.S. has deported millions of undocumented immigrants under Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden, but each administration’s approach has differed significantly in scale and strategy. As President-elect Trump promises to ramp up deportations, a look at the numbers reveals surprising trends.
Under President Obama, deportations reached historic highs. From 2009 to 2016, his administration conducted over 3 million removals and 5.24 million total repatriations when including voluntary returns.
Obama prioritized deporting individuals who posed security threats or had criminal records, with 91% of 2015’s deportations involving such cases.
Getty Images
In contrast, President Trump oversaw 2 million total deportations and returns during his term. While he reversed Obama’s policy of prioritizing criminals, deportations fell far short of his promises.
By 2019, only 41% of deportations involved individuals with criminal records, compared to Obama’s higher rates.
President Biden’s administration has repatriated 4.7 million people so far, surpassing his predecessors in total numbers. However, much of this was driven by Title 42, a pandemic-era health policy, which allowed for expedited expulsions.
Under traditional immigration law, Biden’s numbers are far lower, with just 649,000 formal removals since 2021.
As Trump prepares to take office, his administration is signaling plans for an unprecedented deportation campaign. Trump’s prior administration saw mixed results in deportation enforcement, leaving questions about the feasibility of his new goals.
Trump fills more White House roles with Rubio, Noem among likely next picks
From a new border czar to an EPA administrator to national security adviser, team Trump is taking shape. We’ve got a look at the latest names. And shareholders are suing a major restaurant chain accused of skimping on the portions. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
Trump fills more White House roles with Rubio, Noem among likely next picks
We are getting a clearer picture of what the incoming Trump administration will look like come January. After naming his chief of staff, border czar, and United Nations ambassador, the president-elect filled additional key roles on Monday, Nov. 11, as more names surface for other cabinet positions.
President-elect Trump tapped Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of staff of policy. Miller was a senior adviser during Trump’s first administration and is a staunch supporter of deporting undocumented immigrants.
Former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin is Trump’s pick for Environmental Protection Agency administrator. He also ran for governor in 2022.
In a post on X, Zeldin wrote, “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.”
It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator.
We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water. https://t.co/FQk9XPdgcw
Some of the other names who will reportedly be joining Trump’s White House include Florida Congressman and retired Army National Guard officer Mike Waltz as national security adviser. The war veteran would be responsible for briefing the president on important national security issues and coordinating with various agencies.
Senator Marco Rubio is reportedly in line for the position of secretary of state. Once formally announced, the Florida lawmaker would be the first Latino to serve as America’s top diplomat.
In May, a jury found Trump guilty in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by paying a porn actor who claimed she had sex with trump to keep quiet. Now, Judge Juan Merchan must decide whether to uphold the conviction, order a new trial or dismiss the indictment entirely.
In July, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts,” though they did not specify what those acts include. While Trump was a private citizen when the so-called “hush money” payment was made, he had taken office by the time his then-lawyer Michael Cohen was reimbursed for the payment.
The judge was set to make the ruling in September but put it off to “avoid any appearance” he was trying to sway this year’s election.
If the verdict is upheld sentencing is set for Nov. 26.
Republicans make more gains as control of the US House remains undecided
That makes 214 Republican seats to the Democrats’ 203 with 18 races yet to be called. The magic number for either party is 218.
Of those still undecided races, 11 are considered key to controlling the House. Republicans currently lead the vote count in eight of them.
That puts Republicans within striking distance of controlling both chambers of Congress after the GOP flipped the Senate in last week’s election.
Democrats did score a win in the Senate Monday, though, with Ruben Gallego defeating Trump ally Kari Lake to become Arizona’s first Latino senator.
The Senate race in Pennsylvania remains the only one uncalled, though Republican Dave McCormick does have the slight lead over Democratic incumbent Bob Casey. McCormick declared victory, and some Republicans already said they’d to host him in Washington on Wednesday. Nov. 13, for orientation. Casey, however, said he wants every vote counted.
New Zealand’s leader apologizes to victims of state-run, faith-based abuse
New Zealand’s prime minister formally apologized to the country’s parliament Tuesday for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in state, foster and faith-based care.
It comes after a scathing report released in July detailed seven decades of “unimaginable” abuse, which disproportionately impacted the Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous people.
“Today, I stand before you as the representative of not only this government but of all the governments that have gone before us to offer a formal and unreserved apology for the abuse that you suffered while in state care, churches and other faith-based places,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said. “For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility.”
The report on the six-year investigation called the findings a “national disgrace” and for the first time, New Zealand’s government acknowledged the issues. Luxon said his administration is working on more than two dozen of the 138 recommendations that came from that report.
Richard Allen found guilty in 2017 murders of 2 teenage girls
Allen was arrested in 2022, five years after investigators found 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German dead near a trail.
The jury spent 19 hours deliberating before coming to its verdict on Monday.
The Associated Press has reported Allen could be sentenced to up to 130 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Dec. 20.
Shareholders sue Chipotle over damage from portion size controversy
Shareholders have sued the restaurant chain Chipotle after it failed to disclose the number of locations that were cutting portion sizes.
In the proposed class action suit filed in California Monday, shareholders claim the chain failed to disclose that customers were unhappy with the inconsistent portion sizes of its burritos and burrito bowls. It alleges once customers spoke out on social media and Chipotle had to correct the matter, it hurt margins causing the stock price to fall.
Shareholders are seeking unspecified damages for anyone who bought into the company between Feb. 8 and Oct. 29, 2024.
The suit was filed on the same day Chipotle named Interim Chief Executive Officer Scott Boatwright its permanent CEO.
Trump border czar Tom Homan says cartels to be designated terrorist orgs
President-elect Trump announced former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Thomas Homan will serve as border czar during his second administration. Trump is giving Homan extraordinary authority over the southern and northern borders, maritime security and aviation security. Trump said Homan will also be in charge of deporting all individuals who are in the country illegally back to their countries of origin.
So who is Homan? He has worked for six presidents going back to Ronald Reagan. He was a career official at the Department of Homeland Security and worked his way up the ranks during the Bush and Obama administrations.
Most recently, he was named acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2017 by President Trump.
Homan is known for tough rhetoric.
“I got a message to the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Biden released in our country in violation of federal law: you better start packing now,” Homan said during a speech at the Republican National Convention in July.
During the speech, Homan outlined a top priority for the second Trump administration, targeting drug cartels.
“Another message to the criminal cartels in Mexico,” Homan said. “You smuggled enough fentanyl across this country to kill 148,000 young Americans. You have killed more Americans than every terrorist organization in the world combined. That’s why when President Trump gets back in office he’s going to designate you a terrorist organization, he’s going to wipe you off the face of the earth, you’re done, you’re done.”
“Now we have record illegal immigration, a record number of women and children being sex trafficked, a record number of Americans dying from fentanyl, a record number of known or suspected terrorists sneaking across our border,” Homan said. “Here’s what you need to know: this isn’t mismanagement, this isn’t incompetence, this is by design and it’s a choice choice. It’s national suicide.”
Homan has also said that his words shouldn’t be threatening to the immigrant community, but rather to the illegal immigrant community.
President-elect Trump building his team as meeting with Biden nears
President-elect Trump is already filling positions in his administration as he prepares for a White House meeting with President Biden. And the search continues for more than a dozen monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina research facility last week. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.
President-elect Trump building his team as meeting with Biden nears
President-elect Donald Trump continues to work to fill appointments in his administration as President Joe Biden looks to engage in a peaceful transfer of power. It was announced over the weekend Biden and Trump will meet at the White House later this week.
Trump has spoken to numerous world leaders since election night. A source told Reuters the president-elect recently had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Reuters has since reported the Kremlin denies. The source said Trump told Putin to not escalate the war with Ukraine.
It was not clear if that was the first time the president-elect golfed at his club since an assassination attempt on his life in September.
Russia, Ukraine launch record numbers of drones in overnight attacks
As President-elect Trump reportedly spoke with both Russia and Ukraine’s president, the war between the two countries rages on. A record number of drone strikes were launched over the weekend.
Ukraine launched its largest attack on Moscow since the start of the war, striking Russia’s capital late Saturday night, Nov. 9, into early Sunday, Nov. 10. Russia said a total of 34 drones were launched in Moscow’s direction, but all of them were shot down.
Kryvyi Rih. An ordinary five-story apartment building hit by Russian terrorists with a missile. The first to fifth floors of one of the stairwells were destroyed. So far, seven people have been reported injured, including two children. Emergency rescue operations are underway,… pic.twitter.com/usuWFCrehZ
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 11, 2024
That attack came after Ukraine said Russia launched a total of 145 drones Saturday night, the most ever in a single night-time attack during the war. Ukraine said its defenses shot down more than 60 of the drones, while others left Ukrainian airspace.
Israeli strikes kill dozens in Lebanon and northern Gaza
Lebanon’s health ministry said the offensive there left at least 23 people dead, including seven children, in a village north of Beirut away from areas of the country where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has a major presence. Israel did not issue an evacuation warning before the strike.
Israel’s military said the strike hit a Hezbollah site used to store weapons and the strike is under review.
The strike in northern Gaza was on a home that was sheltering displaced people, according to a hospital official in the territory. At least 17 were killed. The Israeli military said it targeted a site where militants were operating.
The strikes came less than 24 hours hours after Qatar announced it suspended its role as mediator for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza because neither side is willing to come to an agreement.
1 dead, 16 injured in shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama
They said Myrick was found leaving the scene of the shooting, which occurred during a homecoming week celebration at the school. Investigators said he was found with a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.
25 of 43 escaped monkeys in South Carolina recovered
More than half the monkeys that escaped a South Carolina research facility have been caught.
Last Wednesday, Nov. 6, 43 rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis, a medical lab that uses the animals for clinical drug trials, in Yemassee. That’s about 60 miles west of Charleston.
43 monkeys that were being used for vaccine development escaped from a lab in Yemassee, South Carolina on Wednesday and are currently on the loose. This video, taken near the facility on Wednesday afternoon, appears to show shadowy figures moving through the woods. CBS News could… pic.twitter.com/ds1tOOpTZi
Officials said the remaining monkeys do not seem to have gone far. They say a “significant number” of them are still near the facility eating food left out for them and interacting with other monkeys still inside the facility. Trappers have not yet been able to corral them.
Biden, Harris to appear together for first time since election for Veterans Day ceremony
The White House said the two will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The president will then deliver remarks at the cemetery’s amphitheater.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will also be in attendance.
Last week, President Biden issued a proclamation for Veterans Day, saying in part, “Each one of our nation’s veterans is a link in a chain of honor that stretches back to our founding days — bound by a sacred oath to support and defend the United States of America. Throughout history, whenever and wherever the forces of darkness have sought to extinguish the flame of freedom, America’s veterans have been fighting to keep it burning bright.”
Springsteen rallies for Harris; Trump targets voters in Southwest
As Election Day nears, Vice President Kamala Harris brought out some big names, including Bruce Springsteen, to back her campaign while former President Donald Trump talked border control in two key swing states. And McDonald’s officials say they’ve identified the source of the deadly E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
Springsteen rallies for Harris; Trump targets voters in southwest
With more than 30 million votes already cast, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are now just 11 days away from America deciding who will be the U.S.’ next leader.
Thursday night, Oct. 24, it was another kind of boss who called to get out the vote and showed his support for the Democratic nominee. Bruce Springsteen performed at a rally for Vice President Harris outside Atlanta.
In between songs, Springsteen addressed the crowd, describing former President Trump as a tyrant and sharing why he is supporting Harris.
“I want a president who reveres the Constitution, who does not threaten but wants to protect and guide our great democracy, who believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power, who will fight for a woman’s right to choose, and who wants to create a middle-class economy that will serve all our citizens,” Springsteen said. “There is only one candidate in this election who holds those principles dear: Kamala Harris.”
Bruce @Springsteen: Donald Trump wants to be a tyrant. He does not know what it means to be deeply American. I am urging all who believe in the American way to join me in voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz pic.twitter.com/HSkwKKXOmz
“We have an opportunity before us to turn the page on the fear and divisiveness that have characterized our politics for a decade because of Donald Trump,” Harris said. “We have the opportunity to chart a new way and joyful way forward.”
Meanwhile, Trump spoke at two rallies Thursday; one in Arizona and another in Nevada.
On the campus of Arizona State University, Trump focused his attention on the border and the immigration crisis, putting the blame squarely on Vice President Harris.
“She has eradicated our sovereign border, and she has unleashed an army of migrant gangs who are waging a campaign of violence and terror against our citizens.” Trump said, “And my message today is very simple: Kamala’s migrant invasion, given to us through gross incompetence, disqualifies her from even thinking about being president. We can’t let that happen.”
“Under the Trump administration, we’re going to build an economy that lifts up all Americans,” Trump said, “including African Americans, Hispanic Americans and also members of our great Asian American and Pacific Islander community, many of whom are here today.”
I was in Las Vegas this evening with a message of hope for all Americans—With your vote in this election, I WILL END INFLATION, I WILL STOP THE INVASION, and I WILL BRING BACK THE AMERICAN DREAM! Together, WE will MAGA!!! Thank you, NEVADA! pic.twitter.com/cgt8lb0lIi
Friday, Oct. 25, all eyes are on Texas. Former President Trump will speak to reporters in Austin and plans to sit down for an interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast, according to multiple outlets. Vice President Harris’ team has confirmed there were talks for her to also be a future guest on the podcast, but schedules did not align.
Ohio abortion ban ruled unconstitutional by county judge
An Ohio judge has ruled the state’s ban on most abortions is unconstitutional. Thursday, a county judge said Ohio’s so-called “heartbeat law” violates a voter-approved amendment to the state constitution.
The heartbeat law banned most abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks — before many women even know they are pregnant. It passed in 2019 and took effect in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Last year, Ohioans voted 56% in favor of a constitutional amendment effectively rendering that law null. After it passed, Ohio’s Republican attorney general requested to leave all but the abortion part of the law in place.
DA recommends Menendez brothers be resentenced for parents’ murders
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced he’s recommending the Menendez brothers be resentenced for the 1989 murders of their parents. In 1996, a judge sentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to life in prison for the killings.
The brothers claimed they had been sexually abused by their father, but prosecutors argued inheriting the family’s money was their motive. The sexual abuse claims recently resurfaced with some Menendez relatives saying the abuse was, in fact, true.
Now, the LA County DA is recommending they be resentenced to 50 years to life, which would make them both immediately eligible for parole under California law because they were younger than 26 at the time of the murders.
"Throughout his disastrous tenure as DA, Gascón has consistently prioritized celebrity cases over the rights of crime victims, showing more interest in being in the spotlight than in upholding justice," Michele Hanisee ADDA President @GeneMaddaus Read: https://t.co/biSSkmv2Sz
“There is no excuse for murder,” Gascón said, “and I will never imply that what we’re doing here is to excuse that behavior — because even if you get abused, the right path is to call the police, seek help — but I understand also how sometimes people get desperate.”
He added, “I believe that they have paid their debt to society.”
DOJ reaches $100M settlement in deadly Baltimore bridge collapse
The Department of Justice has reached a settlement in connection with the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse in March. The DOJ said the two companies that owned the cargo ship, which crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, have agreed to pay more than $100 million to resolve a civil claim.
That claim alleged the disaster was caused by the companies’ cost-cutting measures and neglecting the ship’s maintenance.
McDonald’s did not say which facility the onions were sent to, but at least 49 people in 10 states were sickened and one person has died from the outbreak. Most of the infections were reported in Colorado and Nebraska.
Goldfish changes name to Chilean sea bass to reach adult snackers
One of the most popular brands in snack foods has undergone a major name change. Goldfish, the snack that smiles back, has temporarily changed its name to Chilean Sea Bass.
Here’s the catch though: the Chilean Sea Bass limited edition crackers are not sold in stores. They’re only available online with a price of $7.38 for two bags.
The snacks are available through Oct. 30 here, but once they sell out for the day, you’ll have to wait until your next chance to reel in the deal.
Nearly half of Americans support putting immigrants into military-guarded camps
A new survey reveals Americans are divided on whether undocumented immigrants should be detained in military-guarded camps. Support for the proposal is strongest among Republicans, while Democrats overwhelmingly oppose the idea.
According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 47% of Americans favor detaining undocumented immigrants in military-guarded camps, including 79% of Republicans, 22% of Democrats and 47% of independents.
AP Images
The survey shows growing support for mass deportations and stricter immigration enforcement, especially among Republican voters, as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
Immigration is now a top issue for more than 70% of Republicans, according to PRRI, marking a sharp increase from previous years. By contrast, immigration ranks lower in priority for independents and Democrats, reflecting a deepening partisan divide on the issue.
Critics, including many Democrats and human rights organizations, have condemned the idea of camps as extreme and inhumane. They argue that the policy would echo historical injustices and create ethical concerns about human rights violations.
Reuters
The survey also found that 51% of Americans now support building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, up from 41% in 2016. Meanwhile, support for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants has declined.
With the 2024 election on the horizon, immigration is likely to remain a contentious topic, with stark divisions on how to handle undocumented immigrants and the broader issue of immigration reform.
Texas Gov. Abbott issues another warning about alligators in Rio Grande
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, has once again issued a warning to migrants about the potential dangers in the Rio Grande, citing evidence of alligators in the river along the U.S.-Mexico border. The governor shared new footage on social media, highlighting potential wildlife threats in areas where migrants often attempt illegal crossings.
Abbott shared a video on social media platform X showing an alligator swimming in the river. The footage, originally posted by a NewsNation reporter, highlights a large alligator in the area, which Texas Department of Public Safety troopers say is regularly spotted where many migrants attempt to cross the border illegally.
This is not the first time Abbott has raised concerns about alligators in the Rio Grande. In April, the governor issued a similar warning, noting that alligators pose a serious threat in certain sections of the river and that signs are posted in some areas to alert migrants to the danger.
Getty Images
Abbott’s latest warning comes as tensions continue to rise over U.S. immigration policies, particularly ahead of the upcoming November presidential election. The Biden administration has faced ongoing criticism from Republicans over border security, with Abbott taking particularly strong measures, including installing razor wire along portions of the border to deter illegal crossings.
While alligator attacks are rare, they do occur. In Florida, the state’s Wildlife Conservation Commission has recorded more than 450 alligator bites and 30 fatalities since 1948.
