Appeals court hands Texas a big victory, making it harder for Biden admin to let in illegal aliens



The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit handed the Lone Star State a big win Wednesday, barring the Biden administration from "damaging, destroying, or otherwise interfering with Texas's c-wire fence in the vicinity of Eagle Pass."

The Biden administration has worked feverishly in recent years to hinder the state's efforts to secure its southern border with Mexico. These efforts have focused in large part on Shelby Park, a 47-acre municipal park in Eagle Pass where hordes of illegal aliens have stolen into the homeland.

The question of whether state troopers and members of the Texas National Guard could lay nearly 30 miles of concertina wire in the area has been batted around the courts for over a year.

The Fifth Circuit Court issued a temporary order in December 2023 prohibiting the Biden administration from cutting wire except when faced with medical emergencies. The following month, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the order and kicked the matter back down to lesser courts.

Although the legal dispute was far from settled, Texas lay wire anyway, citing its need and responsibility to "maintain operational control."

The installation of nearly 70,000 rolls of razor wire in Eagle Pass along with fencing and shoreline barriers apparently helped make an immediate difference. According to the Media Research Center, after closing off Shelby Park in January, the number of illegal alien encounters dropped 325% from the previous month and 41% from January 2023.

Federal agents responded to the reinforcement of the border by cutting through the wire on multiple occasions —something the Border Patrol union stated would "undoubtedly encourage more illegal immigration" and hinder Border Patrol agents' efforts to target criminal elements crossing the border illegally.

'This is a good win for Texas, a good win for the country.'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, rumored to be under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump for the next FBI director, sued the Biden administration in October, accusing Border Patrol of illegally destroying state property when helping foreign nationals flout American law.

Paxton's lawsuit indicated further that federal agents "not only cut Texas' concertina wire, but also attach[ed] ropes or cables from the back of pickup trucks to ease" illegal aliens to steal into the country, reported the Texas Tribune.

District Judge Alia Moses granted the state temporary relief, allowing federal officials to cut wire only in cases of life-threatening medical emergencies.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 opinion Wednesday granting Texas a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration. Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan, who was nominated to the court by President-elect Donald Trump, noted in the majority opinion:

The injunction is not barred by intergovernmental immunity because Texas is seeking, not to "regulate" Border Patrol, but only to safeguard its own property. Nor, for similar reasons, is the injunction barred by the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA"). Finally, Texas has satisfied the injunction factors from Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7 (2008). Most importantly, the United States does not even contest that Texas has shown it will likely succeed on its state law trespass claims.

The court noted that while the Biden administration contends that the concertina wire poses a risk to human safety, the administration's own behavior does as well as it has "facilitated and encouraged aliens to 'undertake the dangerous task of crossing the river.'"

The court also rejected the Biden administration's argument that the Lone Star State's fencing undermines international relations, adding that "concerns about international relations do not erase property owners' rights over thousands of square miles along the border."

The lone dissenter on the court was a Biden-nominated judge, Irma Carrillo Ramirez.

The ever-defiant Republican Gov. Greg Abbott noted in response to the ruling that Texas will "continue adding more razor wire border barrier."

Paxton called the result a "huge win for Texas," tweeting, "We sued immediately when the federal government was observed destroying fences to let illegal aliens enter, and we've fought every step of the way for Texas sovereignty and security."

"It was shocking to me that the federal government would go out of their way to cut razor wire to allow illegals to cross when we're just trying to protect our own land," Paxton reportedly told Newsmax Wednesday evening. "This wasn't their land. This was our land, our private property. It had nothing due to the federal government. So this is a good win for Texas, a good win for the country, that this court recognized our ability to protect our land."

The Tribune noted that a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not respond to its request for comment.

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NYC Dem breaks with party to call for end to sanctuary policies 'shielding' criminal illegal aliens



New York City council member Robert Holden (D) is encouraging his fellow Democratic peers to support the termination of the city's existing sanctuary policies that are "shielding" criminal illegal aliens from federal immigration officials.

On Wednesday, Holden sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams (D), Governor Kathy Hochul (D), and other city and state legislative leaders, urging them to reconsider their support of sanctuary policies prohibiting local law enforcement officers from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

'The president actually could say to the governor and to the mayor, "Cooperate with us, or we're going to charge you with felonies."'

"I write with grave concern about the continued impact of New York's sanctuary state and city policies, which not only violate [federal law] but also put New Yorkers in harm's way," Holden stated. "Federal statute explicitly prohibits the harboring, shielding, or concealing of illegal aliens, particularly those engaged in criminal activities."

On Monday, Holden appeared on "Fox & Friends," where he applauded President-elect Donald Trump's incoming border czar, Tom Homan, for his recent warnings to political leaders who attempt to hinder ICE's deportation efforts.

Holden told Fox News, "I love Tom Homan, the new border czar, who came last week on Fox and said, 'We're going to hold these mayors and governors accountable.'"

He explained that some Democratic leaders are violating the law by using sanctuary policies to block federal immigration officials.

"It's a felony," Holden said. "We're like shielding [illegal immigrants]. The governors, the Democratic governors, and the mayors of these sanctuary cities are shielding criminals and terrorists."

He expressed national security concerns about local law enforcement agents being prohibited from communicating with their federal counterparts. Holden called it "unbelievable" that his fellow Democratic council members want to keep criminals and terrorists in the country.

Kenneth Genalo, the director of ICE's New York City's field office, stated on Friday that "it would take a lifetime" to deport the criminal illegal aliens currently residing in the city.

Adams has also expressed interest in rolling back the city's sanctuary status, claiming that his hands are tied unless city council members vote to repeal some of the policies.

When asked what Adams could be doing to help get criminal illegal aliens off New York City's streets, Holden told Fox News that he could petition Hochul and call on the city council to negotiate amendments to the policies.

"I'm looking to President Trump," Holden continued. "I think President Trump could say, 'You know what, if you're going to violate the laws, … it's a felony to shield and harbor illegal aliens who have committed crimes.'"

"The president actually could say to the governor and to the mayor, 'Cooperate with us, or we're going to charge you with felonies,'" he added.

He mentioned that Homan had previously warned that local leaders could face federal charges for harboring illegal immigrants.

Last week, Homan told Fox News, "Those people who say they're going to stop us from what we're doing, they will not."

"Let me give you a word of advice: If you impede us, there's going to be consequences," he continued. "It is a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien."

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Chicago cops train to identify Tren de Aragua while mayor vows to shield illegal aliens from deportation: Report



The vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has extended its reach in Chicago, Illinois, prompting the local police department to initiate training for its officers to identify the dangerous gang members.

Tren de Aragua has been linked to numerous crimes across the country, including retail theft and human trafficking.

'Tattoos are big with these guys.'

According to Chicago Police Department memos obtained by America First Legal and viewed by the New York Post, the gang has now expanded its criminal activity into dealing "pink cocaine," a mysterious illicit substance.

The memo read, "Drug of choice is Pink Cocaine which is a mixture of several drugs and can vary between different narcotics. E.g. Ecstasy, Amphetamines, LSD, or other synthetic drugs."

When recovering the substance, officers are advised to treat it similarly to fentanyl since "it is often used" as an ingredient.

A federal law enforcement source told the Post that the new drug sells for at least $100 per gram. Authorities are concerned about its growing popularity, especially considering there is no standard formula for it.

Drug Enforcement Administration special operations division chief Derek Maltz told the news outlet that it is "not like cocaine." He warned that TDA is "going to do everything they can to make money."

The CPD documents also revealed that officers are being trained on how to spot TDA-affiliated tattoos, which encompass a wide range of symbols, including doves, roses, owls, rifles, gas masks, trains, crowns, stars, pocket watches, the Michael Jordan logo, and Popeye the Sailor.

"Tattoos are big with these guys," the memo read. "They'll be seen dressed like rappers and wearing black & red jerseys like Bulls, Blackhawks or Jordan apparel."

While CPD ramps up training to combat TDA's presence in the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) is doubling down on his commitment to shield illegal aliens from President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation plans.

Chicago is a sanctuary city that prevents local law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration agents.

Earlier this month, Johnson stated, "The president-elect, former President Trump, his threat is not just toward new arrivals and undocumented families. His threats are also against black families."

"We're going to stand up and protect undocumented individuals," he declared.

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2-year-old crosses border alone seeking parents in US, heartbreaking video from Texas DPS shows



The Texas Department of Public Safety shared heartbreaking videos on Sunday showing dozens of unaccompanied children who had recently crossed the southern border into the United States.

Among the group of 60 children was a 2-year-old girl who told law enforcement officers that she had journeyed alone and was hoping to be reunited with her parents in the U.S. In the video, the child clutched a piece of paper, which she extended toward the officers. Inscribed on the note was a name and phone number.

'Regardless of political views, it is unacceptable for any child to be exposed to dangerous criminal trafficking networks.'

An officer asked the child, "Did you come by yourself?"

She nodded her head in the affirmative.

"How old are you?" the officer inquired.

The child held up a couple of fingers and responded, "Two."

When asked where she was going, she replied, "With my mom and dad," who she stated were in the U.S.

The heart-wrenching video was shared by Texas DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez, who also posted two other clips showing unaccompanied minors lined up near the southern border, presumably while awaiting processing. Going down the rows, the children shared their age, country of origin, and their intended destination in the U.S.

Olivarez posted photographs of several "special interest immigrants" who appeared to arrive with the group of children.

He wrote on X, "This morning, @TxDPS encountered a group of 211 illegal immigrants in Maverick County. Among the group were 60 unaccompanied children/minors ages 2 - 17 and 6 special interest immigrants from Mali & Angola."

"This is a stark example of the precarious journey these children make from their home country & how criminal organizations traffic these children across the southern border & further into the interior," Olivarez continued. "Regardless of political views, it is unacceptable for any child to be exposed to dangerous criminal trafficking networks."

He explained that "hundreds of thousands" of children have gone missing during their journeys to the U.S., noting that "no one [is] ensuring the safety & security of these children except for the men & women who are on the frontlines daily."

"Despite the criticism over the years, the reality is that many children are exploited & trafficked, never to be heard from again," he added.

Texas DPS has rescued more than 900 children as a part of Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star, Olivarez said.

According to Customs and Border Protection data, more than 110,000 unaccompanied minors crossed the border in fiscal year 2024.

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Deporting criminal illegal aliens from sanctuary city will 'take a lifetime,' warns NYC ICE director



Kenneth Genalo, the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's New York City field office, warned that "it would take a lifetime" to deport the criminal illegal aliens currently residing in the city.

Since the spring of 2022, over 223,000 immigrants have arrived in New York City.

'The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against ... migrant females and the migrant children.'

On Friday, Genalo told the New York Post that his regional ICE office requires "additional resources" to handle the ongoing immigration crisis.

He stated that "it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have," given New York City's current trajectory.

Genalo suggested that his field office, which includes 400 workers, is investigating thousands of cases per day.

"The fact is that I have to focus all of my resources on the worst of the worst, the most egregious violators. All I can tell you is we have leads that we work every day — and it's not in the hundreds," Genalo told the Post.

He noted that New York City's sanctuary policies are hindering ICE from detaining and deporting criminal illegal aliens.

Genalo expressed interest in testifying before the city council to "educate" far-left members on the dangers of the city's current policies.

"The only people they're shielding are the criminals, and they're shielding the criminals from us," he told the Post.

"The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against the most vulnerable people in the community, and that's the migrant females and the migrant children. I don't understand how they believe sanctuary policies are helping or assisting," Genalo explained.

According to ICE data, through July 21, of the roughly 7.8 million illegal aliens in the country, more than 660,000 are convicted felons or are facing pending criminal charges.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has also previously called on the city council to roll back sanctuary policies.

"The mayor knows we need to cooperate," Genalo told the news outlet. "He sees what's going on in New York City, and he wants help from the federal government."

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) slammed the Biden administration after its Customs and Border Protection announced on Tuesday that it would be reducing office hours at many ports of entry, including four along New York's northern border.

Hochul said, "While the Biden-Harris Administration has achieved measurable success in enhancing southern border security, New York is experiencing a dramatic increase in irregular crossings along our northern border."

"We need to expand enforcement at the northern border today, and I call on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reverse this decision," she added.

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Massachusetts to boot illegal alien families out of overrun shelter system — but won't aid Trump's deportation efforts



Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) announced on Friday that her administration plans to cut state-run shelter costs by tightening stay limits for families with children.

At present, families have a nine-month stay limit in taxpayer-funded accommodations. However, this duration will soon be capped at six months.

'Governor Healey is only making this change so she can hang her hat on saying she is doing something.'

A Friday press release from Healey's administration framed the new policy as a cost-cutting measure to reduce the amount of taxpayer dollars going toward lodging to house homeless local and illegal alien families. Ultimately, the administration's stated goal is to phase out the use of hotels and motels from the state's shelter model, which has been overrun amid the ongoing immigration crisis.

The administration claimed the move would "help more families find stable, permanent housing."

Beginning on December 10, families will either be placed on the "Rapid Shelter Track," which offers a 30-day stay for those who can obtain "self-sufficient permanent housing," or the "Bridge Shelter Track," which provides six months of housing to "high-risk families and those with more complex needs."

Healey stated, "In recent years, the state's family shelter system has grown to be increasingly unsustainable. We've taken significant action to rein in its growth, and we've seen tangible results. The size of the system has remained stable for the past year, we no longer have families relying on Emergency Departments or the airport for shelter, and all shelter sites currently have a service provider instead of relying on the National Guard."

"More needs to be done so that Massachusetts taxpayers do not continue to be on the hook for this federal problem. The changes we are making will reduce costs, phase out the use of hotels and better meet the needs of all families," Healey added.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll stated there is "clearly a consensus around making shelter brief, rare and non-recurring."

Paul Craney of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance told Blaze News that the Healey administration's latest announcement is nothing more than "window dressing" that "will do very little to deter illegal immigrants and inadmissible migrants from coming to Massachusetts."

"They seek the taxpayer-funded housing and generous welfare benefits," Craney stated. "Governor Healey is only making this change so she can hang her hat on saying she is doing something. In reality, what she's been doing since she was elected Governor is make the situation a whole lot worse."

"Under the Governor's watch, they have expanded very generous welfare benefits for illegal immigrants and inadmissible migrants, making us a top destination in the country," he continued. "If the Governor wants to do something about Massachusetts being the top magnet state in the country, she should work with the new administration which is trying to solve the problem."

Healey stated earlier this month that her state police will "absolutely not" be cooperating with President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation plan. She vowed to use "every tool in the toolbox" to "protect" illegal aliens from the incoming administration's efforts.

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Swing state's GOP forces through 'common sense' anti-sanctuary bill, despite governor's veto



On Wednesday, North Carolina lawmakers forced through a bill that would effectively ban sanctuary policies.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D) previously vetoed House Bill 10, but the Republican majority in the state legislature voted to override his decision. The Senate passed the bill in a 30-19 vote on Wednesday, following its approval by the House the previous day.

'Common sense measure to help keep North Carolina safe.'

HB 10 will require county sheriffs to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement's detainer requests, holding illegal aliens for up to 48 hours so they may be transferred to federal custody. It also expands the list of alleged offenses — now encompassing felonies and certain serious misdemeanors — for which law enforcement officers must check an individual's immigration status.

Additionally, the wide-ranging bill includes increasing private school voucher funding, which Cooper has vehemently opposed and appeared to be his biggest hang-up about the legislation.

In his decision to veto the bill in September, Cooper claimed, "Private school vouchers are the biggest threat to public schools in decades."

Cooper also previously told WTVD, "I've vetoed the sheriff's (portion of the bill) a number of times. Obviously, I'm still opposed to that."

Some Democratic lawmakers who opposed the bill argued that it would place an unfair burden on sheriffs.

Rep. Abe Jones (D-Wake) stated, "Tell ICE to do ICE's work."

"Our sheriffs have enough work to do without doing ICE work for free," Jones claimed.

Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) argued for "collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies like ICE to protect American lives."

Senate leader Phil Berger (R) called the bill "purely common sense."

"I question why anyone in law enforcement — these elected sheriffs — would deny a community the safety that is allowed by taking the process in this way," he told WTVD.

North Carolina GOP also referred to the bill's measures as "common sense."

A spokesperson stated, "Requiring Sheriffs to cooperate with ICE while over 10 million illegal immigrants have poured across the Southern border is a common sense measure to help keep North Carolina safe."

The North Carolina Sheriff's Association voiced its support of the bill ahead of the vote. However, some counties, such as Wake, Durham, and Orange, opposed cooperating with ICE agents.

Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe stated Wednesday, "First and foremost, my priority remains the safety and well-being of Wake County residents, and I believe effective public safety depends on collaboration, not fear. Following the state legislature's decision to override the Governor's veto of House Bill 10 (HB 10), I want to reaffirm my concerns about the impacts of this law."

The legislation will go into effect on December 1.

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Homan urges hardline approach with Mexico to stop massive immigrant caravan: 'They're going to have consequences'



Tom Homan, tapped as President-elect Donald Trump's border czar, suggested taking a hardline approach with Mexico to stop the wave of immigrant caravans racing toward the United States border ahead of Inauguration Day.

During a Wednesday interview on Fox News' "Ingraham Angle," Homan was asked about a 1,500-strong immigrant caravan headed toward the country.

'Let me give you a word of advice: If you impede us, there's going to be consequences.'

Homan stated, "I think President Trump needs to make a phone call down there and tell them they are going to stop that caravan, or they're going to have consequences."

During a rally earlier this month, Trump said that he would tell Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo "on day one or sooner" to help the U.S. stop the mass immigration crisis spilling over the border or he would impose a 25% tariff.

"If that doesn't work," Trump said, "I'll make it 50%; if that doesn't work, I'll make it 75%. Then I'll make it 100%."

One of the many immigrant caravans that have taken off from southern Mexico shrunk in size after Trump secured the presidential victory, with some foreign nationals believing it would be substantially more difficult to enter and remain in the U.S. after President Joe Biden leaves office. Nevertheless, other groups of immigrants are continuing their journey, hoping to slip into the country ahead of Inauguration Day.

Several leaders in sanctuary jurisdictions across the U.S., including in Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston, have pledged to protect illegal aliens in their communities from Trump's mass deportation efforts.

Homan had a message for those city officials.

"Those people who say they're going to stop us from what we're doing, they will not," he told Fox News. "Let me give you a word of advice: If you impede us, there's going to be consequences."

"It is a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien," Homan warned.

"For any governor or mayor who doesn't want public safety threats taken out of their communities, you should resign your office because your number one responsibility is [to] protect those communities," he added.

Trump's border czar was also asked about the more than 1,400 acres of land along the southern Texas border that was offered to the incoming administration to facilitate the mass removals.

Earlier this week, Dawn Buckingham, a medical doctor and the commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, offered the land to Trump "to allow a facility to be built for the processing, detention, and coordination of the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nation's history."

Homan said the Trump administration "absolutely will" use the land.

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Here's how Trump intends to deport criminals by legally using military



President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Monday his plan to declare a national emergency and use military assets to implement his sweeping mass deportation plan.

Earlier this month, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told his X followers, "Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the [President Joe] Biden invasion through a mass deportation program."

'Game on.'

On Monday, Trump responded to Fitton's post on Truth Social, writing, "TRUE!!!"

Trump has repeatedly stated that sealing the border and putting an end to the current administration's migrant invasion is one of his highest priorities. He has pledged to "carry out the largest deportation operation in American history."

As part of that mass deportation strategy, Trump plans to complete the border wall and move "massive portions of Federal Law Enforcement to Immigration Enforcement," which includes shifting thousands of troops from their current overseas stations to the southern border.

The Republican Party platform on Trump's website reads, "We will deploy the U.S. Navy to impose a full Fentanyl Blockade on the waters of our Region—boarding and inspecting ships to look for fentanyl and fentanyl precursors."

Trump also plans to bring back his "Remain in Mexico" policy, end sanctuary jurisdictions, and increase penalties for illegal crossings and overstaying visas.

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.) stated Friday that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is gearing up to challenge Trump's mass deportation plans, claiming that it would "have a negative impact on the U.S. economy."

Tom Homan, tapped as Trump's incoming "border czar," responded to Barragán's declaration during a "Fox News Live" Saturday interview.

"Game on," he replied. "Shame on her. She ought to resign her seat at the House because [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is enforcing laws that Congress enacted."

Homan has vowed to send more ICE officers to sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

"If they're not gonna help us, then we'll just double the manpower in those cities. They don't want ICE agents in their neighborhoods, but they don't let ICE agents in the jail. They don't understand, if you let us in the jail, that'd be less agents in your neighborhood," Homan told the news outlet.

"I wish they'd sit down and talk and help with us. But if they don't help, get the hell out of the way, because we're going to do this job with or without you," Homan added.

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Kristi Noem Isn’t Courageous Enough To Be Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary

While Noem is certainly skilled at promoting herself, she doesn't have the courage required for this role.