Valerie Gonzalez
@valontheborder.bsky.social
Journalist with the Associated Press working in South Texas. Bilingüe.
JUST IN: ICE didn’t say how much migrants would get or when the offer would take effect, but The AP obtained an email to migrant shelters saying children 14 years of age and older would get $2,500 each. Children were given 24 hours to respond.
apnews.com/article/ice-...
apnews.com/article/ice-...
Trump administration offers migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to home countries
The Trump administration is offering migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to their home countries, dangling a new incentive in efforts to persuade people to self-deport.
apnews.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
JUST IN: ICE didn’t say how much migrants would get or when the offer would take effect, but The AP obtained an email to migrant shelters saying children 14 years of age and older would get $2,500 each. Children were given 24 hours to respond.
apnews.com/article/ice-...
apnews.com/article/ice-...
Update: DHS shared a response to today’s decision from Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee.
For context, the government initially claimed Guatemalan parents asked for their kids back to be reunited, but they retracted that last week following contradictory evidence.
For context, the government initially claimed Guatemalan parents asked for their kids back to be reunited, but they retracted that last week following contradictory evidence.
September 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Update: DHS shared a response to today’s decision from Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee.
For context, the government initially claimed Guatemalan parents asked for their kids back to be reunited, but they retracted that last week following contradictory evidence.
For context, the government initially claimed Guatemalan parents asked for their kids back to be reunited, but they retracted that last week following contradictory evidence.
New: Judge grants preliminary injunction to block Trump admin from immediately deporting Guatemalan migrant children who came to the U.S. alone back to their home country.
BUT, he did not expand class to cover Honduran children who attorneys believe are targeted next.
apnews.com/article/trum...
BUT, he did not expand class to cover Honduran children who attorneys believe are targeted next.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Judge blocks Trump administration from immediately deporting Guatemalan migrant children
A judge is blocking the Trump administration from immediately deporting Guatemalan migrant children who came to the U.S. alone back to their home country.
apnews.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
New: Judge grants preliminary injunction to block Trump admin from immediately deporting Guatemalan migrant children who came to the U.S. alone back to their home country.
BUT, he did not expand class to cover Honduran children who attorneys believe are targeted next.
apnews.com/article/trum...
BUT, he did not expand class to cover Honduran children who attorneys believe are targeted next.
apnews.com/article/trum...
New: Bottled water sold for $1.21, dismissed medical pleas and faith tested at family detention facility in Dilley, TX
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Bottled water sold for $1.21, dismissed medical pleas and faith tested at family detention facility
New revelations into a Texas detention facility are stirring concern among attorneys for the wellbeing of immigrant children.
apnews.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:43 PM
New: Bottled water sold for $1.21, dismissed medical pleas and faith tested at family detention facility in Dilley, TX
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
A week after the U.S. attempted to remove about 80 Guatemalan children in the middle of the night, advocates began hearing they were preparing to do the same this weekend with Honduran children and preemptively sued to block it.
Story ✍️ Leah Willingham
apnews.com/article/immi...
Story ✍️ Leah Willingham
apnews.com/article/immi...
Legal aid group sues to preemptively block US from deporting a dozen Honduran children
A legal aid group has sued to preemptively block any efforts by the U.S. government to deport a dozen Honduran children, saying it had “credible” information that such plans were quietly in the works.
apnews.com
September 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
A week after the U.S. attempted to remove about 80 Guatemalan children in the middle of the night, advocates began hearing they were preparing to do the same this weekend with Honduran children and preemptively sued to block it.
Story ✍️ Leah Willingham
apnews.com/article/immi...
Story ✍️ Leah Willingham
apnews.com/article/immi...
NEW: Chaotic showdown over Guatemalan children exposes fault lines in Trump’s deportation push.
✍️with @ruskygal and Sonia Pérez D.
apnews.com/article/immi...
✍️with @ruskygal and Sonia Pérez D.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Chaotic showdown over Guatemalan children exposes fault lines in Trump’s deportation push
A reconstruction of the aborted deportation of dozens of Guatemalan children on Labor Day weekend illuminates the latest clash between the administration’s desire for mass deportations and longstandin...
apnews.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:59 PM
NEW: Chaotic showdown over Guatemalan children exposes fault lines in Trump’s deportation push.
✍️with @ruskygal and Sonia Pérez D.
apnews.com/article/immi...
✍️with @ruskygal and Sonia Pérez D.
apnews.com/article/immi...
NEW: Two internal emails obtained by AP indicate a policy shift that now allows ICE to show up, interview, and arrest some parents trying to reunite with their children.
Advocates say it’s using kids as bait; the government says it’s necessary vetting.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Advocates say it’s using kids as bait; the government says it’s necessary vetting.
apnews.com/article/immi...
ICE is showing up to interview parents hoping to reunite with their children who entered US alone
President Donald Trump's administration has started requiring parents seeking to reunite with their children who crossed into the U.S. alone to attend interviews with immigration officers.
apnews.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEW: Two internal emails obtained by AP indicate a policy shift that now allows ICE to show up, interview, and arrest some parents trying to reunite with their children.
Advocates say it’s using kids as bait; the government says it’s necessary vetting.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Advocates say it’s using kids as bait; the government says it’s necessary vetting.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Breaking: Judge denied the Trump administration’s request to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement which protects immigrant children in federal custody.
The judge noted the government made improvements, but attributed them to the agreement.
Story: apnews.com/article/immi...
The judge noted the government made improvements, but attributed them to the agreement.
Story: apnews.com/article/immi...
August 16, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Breaking: Judge denied the Trump administration’s request to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement which protects immigrant children in federal custody.
The judge noted the government made improvements, but attributed them to the agreement.
Story: apnews.com/article/immi...
The judge noted the government made improvements, but attributed them to the agreement.
Story: apnews.com/article/immi...
NEW: A fed judge weighing Trump administration's request to end protections for immigrant children asked the government why time in custody is high despite low crossings.
“It seems counterintuitive that should happen unless it’s willful,” the judge asked.
apnews.com/article/trum...
“It seems counterintuitive that should happen unless it’s willful,” the judge asked.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Judge weighs Trump administration's request to end protections for immigrant children
A judge is considering a Trump administration request to end a policy protecting immigrant children in federal custody.
apnews.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:28 PM
NEW: A fed judge weighing Trump administration's request to end protections for immigrant children asked the government why time in custody is high despite low crossings.
“It seems counterintuitive that should happen unless it’s willful,” the judge asked.
apnews.com/article/trum...
“It seems counterintuitive that should happen unless it’s willful,” the judge asked.
apnews.com/article/trum...
As the Trump administration intensifies deportation activity around the country, some immigrants — including many who have lived in the RGV for decades — are unwilling to leave their homes, even for necessary medical care.
✍️: AP’s Amanda Seitz/Jacquelyn Martin
apnews.com/article/trum...
✍️: AP’s Amanda Seitz/Jacquelyn Martin
apnews.com/article/trum...
As Trump's raids ramp up, a Texas region's residents stay inside — even when they need medical care
As the Trump administration intensifies deportation activity around the country, some immigrants — including many who have lived in Texas’s southern tip for decades — are unwilling to leave their home...
apnews.com
July 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
As the Trump administration intensifies deportation activity around the country, some immigrants — including many who have lived in the RGV for decades — are unwilling to leave their homes, even for necessary medical care.
✍️: AP’s Amanda Seitz/Jacquelyn Martin
apnews.com/article/trum...
✍️: AP’s Amanda Seitz/Jacquelyn Martin
apnews.com/article/trum...
NEW: Attorneys sue to restore deportation protections for abused and neglected migrant children
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Attorneys sue to restore deportation protections for abused and neglected migrant children
Legal advocates have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore deportation protection for migrant children and youth who suffered parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
apnews.com
July 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
NEW: Attorneys sue to restore deportation protections for abused and neglected migrant children
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
NEW: Immigrants and legal advocates filed a class-action lawsuit to stop ICE officers from arresting migrants who appear at immigration courts for previously scheduled hearings and placing them on a fast-track to deportation.
via AP's Martha Bellisle
apnews.com/article/immi...
via AP's Martha Bellisle
apnews.com/article/immi...
Federal lawsuit seeks to stop ICE agents from arresting people at immigration courts
A group immigrants and legal advocates have filed a class-action lawsuit that seeks to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from arresting migrants who appear at immigration courts for pr...
apnews.com
July 16, 2025 at 10:57 PM
NEW: Immigrants and legal advocates filed a class-action lawsuit to stop ICE officers from arresting migrants who appear at immigration courts for previously scheduled hearings and placing them on a fast-track to deportation.
via AP's Martha Bellisle
apnews.com/article/immi...
via AP's Martha Bellisle
apnews.com/article/immi...
Some tragic news: BP agent from the Rio Grande Valley drowned after saving his children caught in a rip current at SPI.
July 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Some tragic news: BP agent from the Rio Grande Valley drowned after saving his children caught in a rip current at SPI.
Update: Hours before the shooting at the McAllen border patrol station, police in Weslaco stopped the gunman’s father who was concerned and looking for his son. He told police he psychological issues and had weapons in his car.
apnews.com/article/mcal...
apnews.com/article/mcal...
Man with an assault rifle killed after shooting at a Border Patrol facility in Texas
Authorities say a 27-year-old man was killed after opening fire at a U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas.
apnews.com
July 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Update: Hours before the shooting at the McAllen border patrol station, police in Weslaco stopped the gunman’s father who was concerned and looking for his son. He told police he psychological issues and had weapons in his car.
apnews.com/article/mcal...
apnews.com/article/mcal...
An apparent immigration enforcement operation at a Laredo warehouse construction site led to chaos Thursday morning, sending people running from the area and crossing a busy highway.
Via @kgnsnews.bsky.social
www.kgns.tv/2025/06/26/a...
Via @kgnsnews.bsky.social
www.kgns.tv/2025/06/26/a...
Apparent immigration raid at warehouse construction site sends people running across I-35
An apparent immigration enforcement operation at a warehouse construction site near mile marker 13 led to chaos Thursday morning as people were seen running from the area and crossing a busy stretch o...
www.kgns.tv
June 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
An apparent immigration enforcement operation at a Laredo warehouse construction site led to chaos Thursday morning, sending people running from the area and crossing a busy highway.
Via @kgnsnews.bsky.social
www.kgns.tv/2025/06/26/a...
Via @kgnsnews.bsky.social
www.kgns.tv/2025/06/26/a...
NEW: Adults fighting kids for clean water, despondent toddlers and a child with swollen feet denied a medical exam - these first-hand accounts from immigrant families are offering a glimpse at conditions in TX detention centers. according to court filing.
apnews.com/article/migr...
apnews.com/article/migr...
New insight into Texas family detention reveals adults fighting kids for clean water
A new court filing in an ongoing legal dispute with the federal government reveals the psychological and physical trauma endured by children and families held at Texas family detention centers.
apnews.com
June 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
NEW: Adults fighting kids for clean water, despondent toddlers and a child with swollen feet denied a medical exam - these first-hand accounts from immigrant families are offering a glimpse at conditions in TX detention centers. according to court filing.
apnews.com/article/migr...
apnews.com/article/migr...
Just in: Immigration advocates filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday over the Trump administration’s use of a proclamation that effectively put an end to being able to seek asylum at ports of entry to the United States.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Trump administration hit with second lawsuit over restrictions on asylum access
The Trump administration is facing a second lawsuit over the shutdown of asylum at ports of entry, a legal pathway created by Congress under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
apnews.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Just in: Immigration advocates filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday over the Trump administration’s use of a proclamation that effectively put an end to being able to seek asylum at ports of entry to the United States.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
New: Trump administration investigates border shelters for smuggling, then sends them more immigrants. This time, ICE is releasing adults and families, mostly from internal operations, to shelters in Phoenix, Laredo, & El Paso.
Reporting with @elliotspagat.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/bord...
Reporting with @elliotspagat.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/bord...
Trump administration investigates border shelters for smuggling, then sends them more immigrants
The Trump administration has been releasing people charged with being in the country illegally to nongovernmental shelters along the U.S. border with Mexico after telling those organizations that prov...
apnews.com
May 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
New: Trump administration investigates border shelters for smuggling, then sends them more immigrants. This time, ICE is releasing adults and families, mostly from internal operations, to shelters in Phoenix, Laredo, & El Paso.
Reporting with @elliotspagat.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/bord...
Reporting with @elliotspagat.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/bord...
Reposted by Valerie Gonzalez
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨 The Trump Administration just filed a motion to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, a 1997 landmark court order that protects children in immigration detention. An end to Flores would put kids in danger of indefinite detention and subject them to cruel & inhumane treatment.
May 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨 The Trump Administration just filed a motion to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, a 1997 landmark court order that protects children in immigration detention. An end to Flores would put kids in danger of indefinite detention and subject them to cruel & inhumane treatment.
Breaking: Federal government just filed to end Flores Settlement Agreement, a policy that has assured migrant children in federal custody are kept in safe conditions since the 90s.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Trump administration seeks to end protections for immigrant children in federal custody
The Trump administration is seeking to end an immigration policy cornerstone that since the 1990s has offered protections to child migrants in federal custody, a move that will be challenged by advoca...
apnews.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Breaking: Federal government just filed to end Flores Settlement Agreement, a policy that has assured migrant children in federal custody are kept in safe conditions since the 90s.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Valerie Gonzalez
BREAKING: Moody's strips the U.S. government of top credit rating, saying presidents and lawmakers have failed to reverse rising debts.
Moody's strips U.S. government of top credit rating, citing Washington's failure to rein in debt
Moody’s Ratings stripped the U.S. government of its top credit rating Friday, citing successive governments’ failure to stop a rising tide of debt.
bit.ly
May 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
BREAKING: Moody's strips the U.S. government of top credit rating, saying presidents and lawmakers have failed to reverse rising debts.
Breaking: A lawsuit was just filed by @youthlaw.bsky.social and @democracyforward.org challenging ORR policies that have prohibited release of numerous children to their families.
In past 3 months, average custody times for children in ORR grew from 37 days to 112.
apnews.com/article/immi...
In past 3 months, average custody times for children in ORR grew from 37 days to 112.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Suit challenges new rules on children in federal custody who crossed into US
Two advocacy groups for migrants have filed a federal lawsuit asking the courts to halt new Trump Administration vetting procedures for reuniting children who crossed into the U.S. without their paren...
apnews.com
May 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Breaking: A lawsuit was just filed by @youthlaw.bsky.social and @democracyforward.org challenging ORR policies that have prohibited release of numerous children to their families.
In past 3 months, average custody times for children in ORR grew from 37 days to 112.
apnews.com/article/immi...
In past 3 months, average custody times for children in ORR grew from 37 days to 112.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Story: Venezuelans subject to removal under wartime act have 12 hours to decide on contesting, docs show.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
April 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Story: Venezuelans subject to removal under wartime act have 12 hours to decide on contesting, docs show.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
BREAKING: The US is now only giving migrants 12 hours to decide whether they want to contest removal under the wartime authority, Alien Enemies Act, down from 24 hours. The government attempted to seal the document but judge just unsealed it.
April 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
BREAKING: The US is now only giving migrants 12 hours to decide whether they want to contest removal under the wartime authority, Alien Enemies Act, down from 24 hours. The government attempted to seal the document but judge just unsealed it.