Talarico Unveils Border Security Plan, Criticizes Biden Policies and Trump's Big Bend Wall James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, unveiled his border security plan during a campaign stop in Terrell County, emphasizing a “common-sense” approach to address what he called a critical weakness for Democrats. The proposal includes hiring more Border Patrol agents, expanding surveillance technology, and adding immigration judges to reduce the asylum backlog. Talarico also advocated for focusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resources on individuals posing serious public-safety threats rather than on families, children, and longtime residents without criminal records. Talarico’s plan directly criticized both former President Joe Biden’s border policies and President Trump’s proposed $1.7 billion wall through the environmentally sensitive Big Bend region. He labeled the Trump administration’s project a “monument to corruption,” calling it “useless” and accusing it of being the result of “no-bid contracts and backroom deals.” He argued the wall would be built in the least-trafficked section of the southern border and through a sacred part of Texas, making it an unnecessary and costly endeavor. While not opposed to border walls in principle, Talarico stressed that resources should be directed to areas where physical barriers are “actually needed.” Talarico’s criticism of Biden’s policies centered on the administration’s handling of migrant encounters, which reached historic levels during his tenure, often exceeding 2 million annually. Republican critics attributed this surge to Biden’s rollback of Trump-era restrictions like “Remain in Mexico.#ice #border_patrol #ken_paxton #james_talarico #terrell_county
James Talarico's Border Security Plan: Emphasizing Technology and Staffing Over Physical Barriers Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico unveiled a border security strategy on Monday that prioritizes surveillance technology and expanded staffing over the construction of physical barriers. The plan, which has garnered support from three rural border sheriffs—including a Republican—calls for hiring more border patrol agents to apprehend undocumented crossers and increasing the number of immigration judges to expedite asylum claims. Talarico acknowledged the necessity of physical barriers in densely populated border regions but explicitly opposed their construction in Texas’ rugged Big Bend area, citing the impracticality of building fencing on such terrain. The Democrat, running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the November 3 election, framed his approach as a bipartisan solution to border security challenges. During a campaign stop in Terrell County, Talarico criticized both parties for failing to address border issues effectively. “I have said that Joe Biden and his administration failed us on our southern border,” he stated, adding that most Texans and Americans seek a “common-sense approach” to security. His remarks were echoed by Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland, a Republican who previously served as a Border Patrol agent for 26 years. Cleveland, who supported Governor Greg Abbott’s border crackdown during the Biden administration, praised Talarico’s plan as aligning with his own priorities. Cleveland emphasized the natural barriers along the Rio Grande, including cliffs up to 1,500 feet high, which he described as “God-made” defenses.#border_patrol #ken_paxton #james_talarico #governor_greg_abbott #thaddeus_cleveland
Padres Prospect Pleads Guilty to Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Humberto Cruz, a 19-year-old minor-league pitcher for the San Diego Padres, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of receiving money in exchange for transporting undocumented immigrants within the United States. The case, reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, marks a significant setback for the Padres’ promising prospect, who was previously ranked as the team’s fifth-best player entering the 2024 season. Cruz’s plea agreement includes a statement acknowledging the “virtual certainty” of his deportation as a non-U.S. citizen, a consequence of his legal troubles. The Padres confirmed that Cruz has lost his work visa, which was valid for 10 years, though he may reapply after a five-year waiting period. The team placed him on the restricted list on March 13, effectively barring him from participating in team activities. Cruz, who signed with the Padres for $750,000 in February 2024 out of Mexico, has faced additional challenges, including undergoing Tommy John surgery and posting a 7.20 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 innings during his limited time in the minors. Cruz’s legal troubles began on October 28, 2024, when Border Patrol agents in Arizona stopped his vehicle near the U.S.-Mexico border. The agents suspected he was transporting undocumented immigrants after noticing his car initially heading toward the border with only the driver and later returning with two additional passengers. Upon inspection, the two passengers were identified as Mexican nationals without proper documentation. One of the men had been recently removed from the U.S. through an Arizona border crossing by immigration officials just four days prior, according to court documents.#san_diego_padres #border_patrol #tommy_john_surgery #humberto_cruz #san_diego_union_tribune
DHS Shutdown Drags Into New Week. Where Things Stand The U.S. Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down as another Monday passes, with Congress still deadlocked over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, has become the longest funding lapse ever recorded for a single federal department. The impasse follows the killings of two Minnesotans by federal officers in January, which intensified debates over immigration enforcement policies. Last week, Senate Republicans approved a federal budget blueprint allowing “not more than $70 billion” to fund ICE and Border Patrol. The legislation passed in a 50-48 vote, despite bipartisan opposition from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who joined Democrats in voting against it. The GOP’s approval of the measure cleared a key hurdle toward fully funding DHS again. However, Democrats have expressed support for funding DHS but oppose funding ICE and Border Patrol without additional oversight. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., criticized the vote on social media, calling it “a bad night for the rule of law.” Tensions escalated further after shots were fired at the White House Press Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25. Some lawmakers cited the incident as a reason to fully fund DHS. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., urged his Democratic colleagues to support full funding for the agency, stating, “It is long past time to fully fund DHS, as the threats against our country are growing exponentially.” The House is set to convene on Monday, April 27, with no legislation related to the DHS shutdown on the agenda. The Senate is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. that day.#chuck_schumer #border_patrol #senate_republicans #immigration_and_customs_enforcement #us_department_of_homeland_security
Man Charged In Loyola Student's Slaying Hid Near Lakefront, Shot At Students As They Fled: Officials Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old first-year student at Loyola University Chicago, was fatally shot after a man opened fire on a group of students fleeing from him near the Rogers Park lakefront, authorities said. Jose Medina, 25, was charged with murder on Sunday, according to officials. The incident occurred early Thursday as Gorman and her friends were on a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in Loyola Park, a few blocks from the university’s campus. Medina, who was apprehended by Border Patrol in 2023 but allowed into the U.S., hid near the pier and chased the group after Gorman noticed someone hiding. He shot her in the back as she tried to run, killing her at the scene. Medina, a Venezuelan national, lived in the 6800 block of North Sheridan Road, near the shooting location. Police obtained a search warrant for his apartment and found clothing, shoes, and a 40-caliber handgun wrapped in a black facemask, which matched the weapon used in the attack. He was also charged with attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Medina’s court appearance was delayed due to his hospitalization with tuberculosis. The Department of Homeland Security filed an arrest detainer against him, requesting he not be released from custody for potential deportation. Gorman’s friends managed to hide in the grass near the pier as Medina ran back to his apartment. They described him as wearing mostly black, including a black face mask. A GoFundMe campaign started by her hometown community raised over $130,000 for her family, with funds intended for memorials and a potential scholarship in her honor.#border_patrol #sheridan_gorman #jose_medina #loyola_university_chicago #tobey_prinz_beach
Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino to retire from federal service, sources say Outspoken Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino is set to retire from federal service by the end of March, according to sources close to his decision. The announcement comes after he was removed from a prominent role overseeing immigration raids in major U.S. cities, which had made him a central figure in the Trump administration’s efforts to combat illegal immigration. Bovino, a long-serving Border Patrol agent, had been serving as chief patrol agent for the El Centro sector along the California-Mexico border. However, he gained national attention for leading large-scale immigration operations in urban areas, including raids in Los Angeles. These operations, which often involved detaining undocumented immigrants in public spaces like Home Depot parking lots, drew significant public and political criticism. In late January, Bovino was relieved of his duties following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis. The incident sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing federal agents of overreach. Bovino, in a statement at the time, claimed without evidence that Pretti had intended to “massacre” federal agents, a remark that further fueled controversy. The Department of Homeland Security stated that Bovino had not yet officially submitted retirement paperwork, though sources confirmed he informed colleagues of his plan to leave at the end of March. CBS News attempted to contact Bovino for comment but had not received a response as of the report’s publication. Bovino’s departure follows recent changes in the administration’s leadership.#los_angeles #border_patrol #gregory_bovino #el_centro_sector #minneapolis_shootings
