Latest news with #GeorgeBushIntercontinentalAirport
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Miami Herald
‘The nightmare is over': Venezuelans celebrate release of men held in El Salvador
Two families who say their loved ones were wrongly accused of being violent gang members and held for more than four months in El Salvador's megaprison are celebrating after the men were among 252 people swapped by the U.S. government on Friday in exchange for political prisoners and Americans held in Venezuela. Tears streamed down Daniela Palma's face as she learned that her boyfriend—who had been granted refugee status by the U.S. government in Colombia alongside her in 2023—was finally free after months of what she calls 'unjust detention.' For his safety, the Miami Herald is identifying him only by his initials, E.M., due to the risk of retaliation by Venezuelan authorities. 'The nightmare is over,' she said to the Herald. Many of the Venezuelans sent to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, had pending asylum cases. But their relatives and attorneys told the Herald they were never given the opportunity to present their claims in court before being deported to El Salvador. Now, their future in Venezuela remains uncertain. 'I knew that only God could work this miracle, and He did,' she told the Herald. Palma, 30, and her partner, 29, arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Jan. 8 after spending two years in Bogotá. Fleeing the Maduro regime, they were granted refugee status by U.S. officials in Colombia in 2023, hoping to rebuild their lives in safety. In Bogotá, they scraped by through informal work—selling food in the streets, making deliveries—doing whatever was necessary to survive. But upon arriving in Texas, their hopes unraveled in moments. An immigration officer asked E.M. a seemingly routine question: 'Do you have any tattoos?' It was the same question he had answered in Colombia during a rigorous screening process. He responded honestly, lifting his shirt and pant legs to show tattoos on his chest, arms, and legs—a crown, a soccer ball and a palm tree. READ MORE: 'Crime of tattooing': Why experts say body ink is no way to ID Venezuelan gang members That moment changed everything. Despite having no criminal record and legal refugee status, E.M. was detained and transferred through three immigration detention centers in Texas. U.S. immigration officials flagged his tattoos as potential gang affiliations—specifically with Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan prison gang operating across Latin America. Ultimately he was sent to El Salvador's CECOT prison as part of a crackdown targeting alleged gang members. READ MORE: Despite refugee status in the U.S., young Venezuelan was deported to Salvadoran prison Palma, facing threats of prolonged detention herself, agreed to be deported back to Colombia. They have been separated since January. She received the news from Bogotá, where she returned brokenhearted without him. 'No more tears' E.M. and the majority of Venezuelans sent to El Salvador were deported by the Trump administration through extraordinary wartime powers based on a 1798 law called the Alien Enemies Act. The administration sent them to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, claiming they were members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Friday's swap also included seven unaccompanied children—ranging in age from one to 12—who had been separated from their Venezuelan parents during earlier deportations, according to high-ranking Venezuelan official Diosdado Cabello, speaking as the children arrived at the international airport in Maiquetía. Since President Donald Trump took office, Venezuela has received more than 7,000 deportees. Another family celebrating is that of Frengel Reyes Mota, a Venezuelan asylum seeker who was supposed to be pursuing his ongoing case to stay in the United States but instead found himself locked up thousands of miles away in the megaprison. The 25-year-old father has no criminal record in Venezuela. His U.S. immigration detention records contain multiple errors, raising serious questions about their reliability. He has no tattoos, and his family denies any gang affiliations. The U.S. government claimed on Reyes Mota's I-213 form — a document the Department of Homeland Security uses to support an assertion that someone is deportable — that he 'may be a Tren de Aragua associate.' But in those same documents, the government says he has no criminal records or immigration history in the United States. The government also uses someone else's last name in several parts of the document, identifies him with female pronouns, and uses two different unique identification numbers that immigration authorities use to keep track of individuals, raising questions about the reliability of Trump officials' accusations against him. In federal court documents, the Trump administration acknowledged that 'many' Venezuelans it accused of being dangerous gang members—and subsequently deported under presidential wartime powers—have no criminal records in the United States. However, the administration argued this was because those individuals had only been in the country for a short time. At a young age, Reyes Mota chose to build a life with Liyanara Sánchez, who was already a mother. To her son Daniel, now 10, Reyes Mota wasn't just a stepfather, he was a true dad. When news of his release broke, Daniel sent a video message to the Herald, his voice filled with emotion: 'They won't have to suffer anymore—no more tears,' he said. 'I miss him so much. I just want to tell him to stay strong.' Sánchez, too, expressed her joy and anticipation. 'I long to hear his voice and hold him in my arms,' she said.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
KBRA Assigns AA- Rating to City of Houston, Texas, Airport System Subordinate Lien Revenue Bonds, Series 2025A (AMT) and Series 2025B (Non-AMT); Affirms Rating for Parity Bonds; Revises Rating Outlook to Positive
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA assigns a long-term rating of AA- to the City of Houston, Texas, Airport System Subordinate Lien Revenue Bonds, Series 2025A (AMT) and Airport System Subordinate Lien Revenue Bonds, Series 2025B (Non-AMT). KBRA additionally affirms the long-term rating of AA- for the City's outstanding Airport System Subordinate Lien Revenue Bonds. The Outlook revision to Positive from Stable reflects recent strong growth in origination and destination passengers, particularly at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, highlighting the System's increasing reliance on its vibrant local market rather than the operating decisions of its hubbing carriers to drive passenger volumes and related revenues. In addition, the System's comparatively modest capital needs and descending debt service requirements, in KBRA's view, should enhance its flexibility to address future demand driven facility enhancements. Key Credit Considerations The rating actions reflect the following key credit considerations: Credit Positives Large and growing catchment area generates strong origin and destination demand, while the System's geographically strategic location promotes connecting activity. Financial operations are characterized by abundant liquidity and ample debt service coverage margins. Market yields are well above United Airlines' and Southwest Airlines' respective system averages. Credit Challenge High market‐share concentration and financial reliance on United Airlines (the primary carrier at George Bush Intercontinental Airport) and Southwest Airlines (the primary carrier at William P. Hobby Airport), mitigated by their respective long-term agreements and investments in Houston facilities. Significant, though well managed, capital program and resultant exposure to construction risk and inflationary pressures. Rating Sensitivities For Upgrade: Meaningful increase in passenger activity leading to strengthened debt service coverage and liquidity levels. Material reduction in debt leading to improved debt metrics and enhanced financial flexibility. For Downgrade: A significant increase in scope or cost of the capital program resulting in a meaningful increase in leverage. While unlikely, a sustained, material decline in enplanements and associated revenue due to the reduction or elimination of hub operations by either United Airlines or Southwest Airlines, and/or economic contraction of the service area. To access ratings and relevant documents, click here. Methodologies Public Finance: U.S. General Airport Revenue Bond Rating Methodology ESG Global Rating Methodology Disclosures A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here. Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here. Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at About KBRA Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA), one of the major credit rating agencies (CRA), is a full-service CRA registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a Designated Rating Organization (DRO) by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency by Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP) in the U.S. Doc ID: 1010395
Middle East Eye
5 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Palestinian with valid US immigrant visa held at Houston Airport since 5 July
The Houston chapter of the civil rights organisation, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston), on Monday demanded the immediate release of a 22-year-old Palestinian man who has been reportedly confined for nine days at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Muhanad J M Alshrouf has been held in a secondary screening room since entering the country on 5 July on a valid immigrant visa. His father is a US citizen, and Alshrouf spent years going through the immigration process to obtain his visa. Alshrouf has not had any access to legal counsel, a change of clothes, proper food, or shower facilities during this time. Maria Kari, attorney and executive director of legal non-profit Project TAHA, said Alshrouf's treatment was "unlawful, unjust and profoundly inhumane". "Airports are not detention centers. Yet Muhanad has been subjected to an unconscionable confinement, forced to wear the same undergarments for over a week. Is this the dignity America offers its newest residents? Every American should be outraged,' she added.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palestinian man detained at Houston airport for 9 days: report
A 22-year-old Palestinian man has reportedly been detained for nine days in a screening room at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. According to the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Muhanad J. M. Alshrouf entered the United States legally on July 5 after obtaining a valid immigrant visa and has been held in a secondary screening room at the airport ever since. Alshrouf came to the U.S. to visit his father, who is a citizen. Per a press release, he has been held without access to legal counsel or a change of clothes since arriving at the airport earlier this month. 'This young man legally entered the country with a U.S. immigrant visa, having passed every background check and security clearance. Yet he has been held in a secondary screening room for more than a week without due process or basic human compassion,' John T. Floyd, a board member of CAIR-Texas Houston and civil rights attorney, said in a statement. Floyd called the treatment 'unlawful, unjustified, and inhumane.' Salon has reached out to airport and Customs and Border Patrol representatives and will update this article if they respond. It's not the first time Palestinians and pro-Palestine activists have faced increased scrutiny of their legal status within the U.S. Despite being a permanent resident of the country, Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and held in a Louisiana facility for more than 100 days. Ward Sakeik, a Palestinian woman married to a U.S. citizen,was detained by ICE in February while returning from her honemyoon. Sakeik was just released from detention earlier this month. The post Palestinian man detained at Houston airport for 9 days: report appeared first on
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Houston Police Training Center, Priced At $10.5M, Won't Rely On Public Funds
(Texas Scorecard) – Millions in private donations are expected to cover a new Houston Police Department training center that will offer officers state-of-the-art preparation tools. Construction crews are preparing to break ground on a new Houston Police Department training facility designed to bolster both recruitment and year-round officer readiness. The state-of-the-art complex, located near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, carries an estimated price tag of $10.5 million and will feature 20 100-yard shooting lanes, advanced safety systems, and immersive training simulations. According to an announcement from the Houston Police Foundation, the facility is intended to further enhance public safety and officer preparedness across the department. Though the total cost exceeds $10 million, none of the funding will come from taxpayers. Instead, the entire project will be privately funded. Houston billionaire Tillman Fertitta—President Donald Trump's ambassador to Italy and chair of the board of the Houston Police Foundation—contributed $2.5 million toward the project. The remaining $8 million will come from private donations. 'This project is a crucial investment in public safety,' Fertitta said. 'We're providing our officers with the best tools and environment to prepare for the challenges they face every day.' Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, praised the development and emphasized its importance to the department's long-term success. 'The facility is essential to the continued growth and performance of our officers,' Griffith noted. The announcement follows another major step forward for the department as Mayor John Whitmire recently approved a historic pay raise for Houston police officers. Base salaries will increase from approximately $60,000 to $81,000 per year. In addition, the mayor pledged to hire 500 new officers using the newly approved funding. The budget supporting both the raises and staffing expansion was officially passed and certified by the city council on Wednesday. The training center will span approximately 44,000 square feet and is expected to be completed early next year.
