International
No increase in border crossings after end of Title 42, say U.S. and Mexico
May 12 |
detected a substantial increase in migrant crossings across the common border in the first hours since the lifting of Title 42, the hot deportation policy approved by then-President Donald Trump in 2020.
On the Mexican side, Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard. stated that the flow of migrants has dropped after a record low due to the end of the Title 42 ban, which expired at midnight Thursday. He added that there have been no confrontations or violence on the border with the United States in recent hours.
According to Ebrad, “the flow is going down today, at least up to this hour we have not had confrontations, situations of violence at the border,” he pointed out during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s regular press conference.
From the United States, the Undersecretary of Homeland Security, Blas Núñez-Neto, admitted however in a press conference that it is still too early to offer official figures and assured that the authorities remain attentive to any event occurring on the border.
“We can affirm that we have not seen any substantial increase in migration this morning,” explained the official, who nevertheless said that detention figures in the area remain “high.”
At midnight last night, the U.S. stopped applying Title 42, which allowed for the hot removal of undocumented migrants without the possibility of requesting asylum, after the end of the health emergency due to Covid-19, but instituted other restrictions at the border and began deporting through another regulation known as Title 8.
Nunez-Neto warned that from now on all those who cross the border without regular immigration status “will not be eligible for asylum,” will be removed from the country quickly and may be banned from entering the United States for five years.
However, Mexico announced just this morning that it will not allow more than 1,000 non-Mexican migrants a day to return to its territory.
Ebrard reiterated that “as it was done” even when Title 42 was in effect, which only “received one thousand migrants per day”, this figure will continue. He even assured that the highest number received in a month was 16,000 migrants.
“Mexico has let them know that in no case could it receive more than a thousand people a day, we do not have the capacity nor would we accept it. That is in effect since Title 42.”
At least 24,000 border patrol agents are guarding the area, in addition to the 1,500 soldiers that the Pentagon will be deploying in a staggered manner over the next few days.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala Police Arrest Prison Guard Caught in the Act of Extortion
-
Central America4 days agoHonduras swears in conservative president Asfura after disputed election
-
Central America4 days agoBukele leads public trust rankings as UCA survey highlights gains in security
-
International3 days agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
International4 days agoDoomsday clock moves to 85 seconds before midnight amid rising global risks
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
International2 days agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
International4 days agoWinter Storm Fern Leaves 30 Dead and Over One Million Without Power Across the U.S.
-
Sin categoría4 days agoEight Killed in Series of Armed Attacks in Ecuador’s Manabí Province
-
International4 days agoSpain approves plan to regularize up to 500,000 migrants in Historic Shift
-
International3 days agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
International3 days agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
Sin categoría4 days agoEl Salvador Launches Fourth Year of Ocean Mission to Protect Marine Ecosystems
-
Central America24 hours agoPanama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
-
International2 days agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
Central America24 hours agoU.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
-
International2 days agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn
-
International2 days agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold