Latest news with #ElPasoans
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Trump administration reverses pause on immigration ICE raids on farms, hotels, restaurants
Trump administration reverses pause on immigration ICE raids on farms, hotels, restaurants Show Caption Hide Caption National Anthem sang in Spanish before Dodgers game Singer and social media star Nezza opted to sing the National Anthem in Spanish over the weekend amid ongoing protests and immigration raids in L.A. Fox - LA The Trump administration has reversed an order to pause immigration raids targeting farms, hotels, restaurants and meat-packing plants, The Washington Post reports. The reversal came just days after officials were instructed to refrain from conducting immigration operations in these locations. The Washington Post reports that officials with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, including members of the Department of Homeland Security Investigations division, told agency leaders that they must continue immigration raids targeting these locations. The order comes as President Donald Trump's top aide, Stephen Miller, has demanded that ICE carry out 3,000 arrests each day. More: The U.S. has 'No Kings' say hundreds of El Pasoans who joined anti-Trump protest The Trump administration issued a pause on raids following a post from President Donald Trump on Thursday, June 12, questioning the economic impacts of these raids. In a post on Truth Social, he acknowledged concerns from agricultural and hospitality businesses about losing 'very good, long-time workers' due to broad enforcement actions. Farmworkers' unions across the U.S. stated that the pause on raids was not respected. Leaders of the Border Agricultural Workers project in El Paso stated that raids were carried out in the days following the pause. "We don't trust it," said Rosemary Rojas, who works with the El Paso-based Border Agricultural Workers Project. "It doesn't matter if it is signed, it doesn't matter if it comes out of Trump's mouth, it doesn't matter where it comes from. We are seeing the opposite." More: 'It is a setup': ICE arrests migrants after their hearings at El Paso federal courthouse 'Targeting criminals' during immigration ICE raids Trump entered office promising to carry out a campaign of mass deportation, largely targeting alleged criminals. But the administration has targeted immigrants in legal immigration processes and people who work in the service industry. 'There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE's efforts,' Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary for DHS, said Monday, according to the Washington Post. 'Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability.' More: For the first time in decades, the US-Mexico border is silent. Here's why However, the unions that represent farmworkers challenge the narrative that criminals are working in the fields, harvesting produce or packing meat products. "Criminals do not work on the farms, they do not hide on the farms," said Rosemary Rojas, who works with the El Paso-based Border Agricultural Workers Project. "This is such a false lie." Programs exist to enable farm workers to enter the United States legally and remain in the country. While it is estimated that 42% of farm workers are undocumented, many farm workers often come to the U.S. through the H-2A visa program or are already U.S. residents, Rojas said. Trump has promised to expand his immigration enforcement raids into cities like Chicago and New York following the mass raids in Los Angeles, which resulted in the spread of massive protests across the United States. Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@ @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @ on Bluesky.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is a haboob? Dust storm stuns El Paso County with towering wall of dust
Sightings of a large wall of dust moving through El Paso happened over the weekend, with dozens sharing video and photos of a hazy, ominous skyline. The intense dust storm, also known as a haboob, arrived in the region just before 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, according to satellite images released by the National Weather Service. The winds triggered a dust storm advisory in the evening hours due to reduced visibility of less than a mile. Many El Pasoans captured the haboob, including Ray Chiarello, who shared a panoramic photo shot by his drone as the dust passed over the Franklin Mountains. While dust storms and haboobs can happen anywhere, they are most common in the Southwest, according to the National Weather Service. Here's what you need to know about haboobs and what to do if you encounter one. Haboobs occur as a result of thunderstorm outflow winds, according to the National Weather Service. Strong thunderstorm winds can start a dust storm that can drastically reduce visibility. A haboob, derived from the Arabic term "habb," which means to blow, was originally used to describe "wind or sandstorms" that occurred in central and northern Sudan, which averages about 24 a year, according to the American Meteorological Society. Now, it is typically used to describe "any" intense wind-driven sandstorm or dust storm that can loft sand or dust thousands of feet into the air, creating a visually stunning "wall of dust," according to the American Meteorological Society. Here are some tips for driving through dust storms, courtesy of the National Weather Service. If dense dust is observed blowing across or approaching a roadway, pull your vehicle off the pavement as far as possible, stop, turn off lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated. Avoid entering the dust storm area if possible. If you can't pull off the roadway, proceed at a speed suitable for visibility, turn on lights and sound horn occasionally. Use the painted center line to help guide you. Look for a safe place to pull off the roadway. Never stop on the traveled portion of the roadway. USA Today contributed to this report. Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@ @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook. More: Monsoon season expected to be 'normal,' but burn scars could trigger flooding in Ruidoso This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What is a haboob? Dust storm stuns El Paso with towering wall of dust
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
El Paso mayor: Planned protests need to be peaceful
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — With demonstrations scheduled all over the country on Saturday, June 14, Mayor Renard Johnson is urging El Pasoans who plan to rally to 'protest peacefully and make their voice heard.' More than 1,800 communities are expected to host 'No Kings' rallies and protests to counter a military parade and birthday celebration for President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. This also comes in the shadow of the protests that have been going in Los Angeles. The Trump Administration has sent 4,000 National Guard and 700 Marines to counter the protests which have seen some sporadic violence. 'I encourage El Pasoans to come together in a spirit of nonviolence, mutual respect, and shared purpose.' Johnson said. Here is Johnson's statement in its entirety: 'As your mayor, I want to speak directly to the people of El Paso ahead of the demonstrations expected this Saturday. 'We honor the constitutional right of every individual to protest peacefully and make their voice heard. In this moment of heightened emotion across the country and in our own city, I encourage El Pasoans to come together in a spirit of nonviolence, mutual respect, and shared purpose. 'El Paso has long been a city defined by unity and resilience. Let's continue to lead by example — showing that even in times of concern or disagreement, we can gather peacefully to express our values and our hopes for the future. 'In coordination with El Paso Police Chief Pacillas, we have developed a comprehensive public safety plan to ensure that demonstrations are conducted safely and lawfully. The El Paso Police Department remains steadfast in its mission to protect both public safety and the First Amendment rights of all participants. 'I ask all participants to look out for one another and to demonstrate peacefully. El Paso is stronger when we come together — and this weekend, we have the opportunity to show that strength once again.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigrant advocates gather in Downtown El Paso in ‘solidarity' with Los Angeles protests
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Immigrant advocate organization, the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), is gathering Tuesday evening, June 10 in Downtown El Paso at the San Jacinto Plaza in 'solidarity' with communities in Los Angeles who took to the streets over the weekend to protest immigration raids being carried out by ICE. What to know about Trump's deployment of the Marines and National Guard to LA's immigration protests The protests in Los Angeles made national headlines as they escalated this past Sunday with protesters blocking a major freeway and vandalizing self-driving cars and law-enforcement vehicles. President Donald Trump also announced that he was deploying National Guard and Marines to quell the protests. The initial 2,000 National Guard troops arrived Sunday. On Monday, the president announced he was sending an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines. In El Paso, the BNHR calls Tuesday evening's demonstration a 'peaceful vigil,' in which they will also call for an end to ICE's 'terrorizing' immigration enforcement tactics and for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from Los Angeles and the border. 'What we're seeing in Los Angeles is not new. It's the amplification of a strategy we've endured at the border for years,' said Fernando Garcia, the executive director for BNHR, in a news release. 'ICE has become a political weapon used to terrorize our communities,' Garcia said. 'This administration is exploiting law enforcement and military personnel, placing them at the center of an anti-democratic agenda that undermines the very freedoms they swore to defend. We're not here to vilify individuals in uniform. We're here to demand accountability from the leadership that is weaponizing them against our people.' Meanwhile, Michael Aboud, chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party, said that while people have the right to protest, he condemned the vandalism that transpired over the weekend. 'If you come here illegally, you're not allowed to stay, period. The ones that are destroying property, they're burning the U.S. flag and they're flying foreign flags. That's what's concerning. You want to protest in peace? We've allowed that since the beginning of our country, OK. But the ones that are the problem are the ones that are doing all the destruction. You can have a wrong opinion and be able to speak about it,' Aboud said. Aboud praised the Trump administration's immigration efforts and shared a message for El Pasoans who will demonstrate Tuesday evening. 'They don't get to decide what the law is. They don't get to decide that. They go to any foreign country and go there illegally and stay and then tell those people what the foreigner's wishes are. Listen to what law enforcement says to you. Cooperate and go home peacefully,' Aboud said. Alan Lizarraga, communications manager for the BNHR, stressed the importance of El Pasoans demonstrating in light of what occurred at Los Angeles. 'What has been unfolding in Los Angeles was an intended provocation. It is a manufactured crisis for the government to be able to excuse what they're doing in our communities. If we don't stand up against what's happening in L.A., what guarantees that tomorrow they're not going to start doing the same here in El Paso.' Lizarraga said. 'What we have to understand is that El Paso has been the center point to the policies that we're seeing nationwide. We have seen militarization of our border. We've seen how immigration enforcement has turned into a paramilitary operation now. So what communities in Los Angeles saw over the weekend was just that. It was armed soldiers and armed vehicles going after hard-working individuals,' Lizarraga added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
City of El Paso activates cooling centers
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — May 30 is National Heat Awareness Day, and the City of El Paso, with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), is activating cooling centers across the city. According to a news release by the City, the cooling centers are indoor and air-conditioned spaces for people to take refuge from the heat. The centers are a joint effort between the OEM, the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, El Paso Public Libraries, and the Extreme Weather Task Force. The following recreation centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and will be closed on Sundays: Valle Bajo Community Center and Library, 7380 Alameda Ave. Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr. Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Dr. Nations Tobin Park, 8831 Railroad Dr. Public libraries will also be available to individuals looking to escape from the heat. The following libraries will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Armijo Library, 620 E. 7th St. Clardy Fox, 5515 Robert Alva Ave. Dorris Van Doren, 551 Redd Rd. Esperanza Moreno, 12480 Pebble Hills Blvd. Irving Schwartz, 1865 Dean Martin Dr. Jose Cisneros/Cielo Vista, 1300 Hawkins Dr. Judge Marquez, 610 N. Yarbrough Dr. Main Library, 501 N. Oregon St. The Main Library will also be open on Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. Memorial Park, 3200 Copper Ave. Richard Burges, 9600 Dyer St. C Sergio Troncoso, 9321 Alameda Ave. Westside, 125 Belvidere Dr. The City is also encouraging residents to seek relief from the heat by visiting local malls and shopping centers. In addition, the City, in coordination with the Department of Public Health, OEM, the El Paso Fire Department, and the Extreme Weather Task Force, is launching a multi-agency public awareness effort to educate residents about how to stay safe during the summer heat. According to the City, public health officials emphasize that infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Some signs and symptoms are, according to the City, are: Heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps Dizziness, fainting or confusion Pale, clammy skin or a rapid, weak pulse In severe cases: high body temperature, unconsciousness Anyone experiencing signs of heat stroke should call 911 immediately and move to a cooler place. In addition, El Pasoans are encouraged to: Stay hydrated with non-sugary, non-alcoholic fluids Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces when possible Use sunscreen and take frequent breaks if working outdoors Never leave children, elderly individuals, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even with windows cracked or the AC running The City said to use the buddy system to check on neighbors, co-workers, or relatives who may be at greater risk. Pet owners should: Ensure pets have access to shade and fresh water Avoid walking pets on hot pavement Keep pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day Never leave pets alone in parked vehicles Veterinarians also recommend testing pets for heartworm during the warm months. The City is also partnering with the Extreme Weather Task Force to host a Summer Safety Press Conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Fire Station No. 5, located at 400 Revere St. The press conference will 'highlight seasonal safety guidance, the dangers of extreme heat and the launch of the annual Fan Drive.' The Extreme Weather Task Force is accepting fan donations at all El Paso and Horizon fire stations. Residents in need of a fan may dial 211 to check eligibility and receive assistance. For after-hours help or overnight shelter referrals, residents can call 311. More tips and resources are available at El Paso Ready and El Paso Health. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
