Border

Legal Labyrinth: Ecuadorian Man’s Case Highlights Troubling New Military Border Policies

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EL PASO, Texas — Attorney Robert J. Perez has lost contact with his client, Dario Trejo-Burbano, an Ecuadorian man recently convicted under a new federal initiative that designates portions of the southern border as military-controlled zones. “I have no idea where he is. I can’t find him,” Perez commented regarding Trejo-Burbano’s current whereabouts. The case has raised concerns about the implications of these federal policies and their impact on individuals caught in the crossfire. Trejo-Burbano was tried in federal court after he crossed the border near El Paso in early May. While he was acquitted … Read more

DHS Fast-Tracks Border Wall Construction in Arizona and New Mexico with New Waivers Ignoring Environmental Laws

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The Department of Homeland Security has taken significant steps to expedite border wall construction in Arizona and New Mexico by issuing three new waivers affecting approximately 36 miles of the project. These waivers, approved by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, allow the agency to sidestep certain environmental regulations to facilitate the building process. The waivers enable the Department to bypass laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, which is designed to ensure thorough environmental assessments. By using this authority, DHS aims to minimize potential administrative delays in constructing physical barriers and related infrastructure at the … Read more

Federal Judge Halts Stringent Financial Surveillance Rule Affecting Border Businesses

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San Diego, CA — The U.S. government has recently set its sights on smaller cash transactions in an effort to curb illegal activities, particularly along the southwest border. This decision, encapsulated by a new Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), drastically lowers the threshold for mandatory reporting of cash transactions from $10,000 to just $200 in specified areas of California and Texas. Historically, the $10,000 benchmark held since 1972 aimed at monitoring substantial financial transactions to catch signs of money laundering or funding for illicit activities. FinCEN’s announcement on March … Read more

Massachusetts Couple Detained for Hours at Canadian Border, Sparking Legal Concerns and Highlights on CBP Protocols

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Montreal, Canada – Sunday evening took an unexpected turn for a Massachusetts couple, Bachir Atallah and Jessica Fakhry, as they were detained and handcuffed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Interstate 89 border crossing upon their return from Montreal. The couple, both legal U.S. residents, were returning home when they were abruptly removed from their car without clear explanation and taken into custody for over five hours. The Atallahs told officials they were initially unaware of the reason for their detention. According to Fakhry, the sight of mattresses along the hallway … Read more