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WASHINGTON Ed Gonzalez, President Bidens nominee to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said on Monday that he was withdrawing from consideration after a long-troubled nomination.

In a letter to the president, Mr. Gonzalez, the sheriff of Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston, and a fierce critic of hard-line policies at the agency he was tapped to lead, said he had withdrawn in the best interest of the nation. He noted that he was nominated 14 months ago, and said he needed to focus his full, undivided attention on his duties as sheriff.

With the bitter political divide over immigration swirling around his nomination, Sheriff Gonzalez had faced a difficult path from the start. But his confirmation process was further weighed down and delayed for months after Senator James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, released a police affidavit that accused Sheriff Gonzalez of domestic abuse of his wife, Melissa.

Both Sheriff Gonzalez and his wife had denied the allegations. The police officer who wrote the affidavit later told a Senate committee in a deposition that corroborating evidence he mentioned in the affidavit did not exist, according to a summary of the committees findings. An aide for the committee added that its investigators could not find any evidence to corroborate the allegations.

The withdrawal was yet another blow both to ICE, which has not had a permanent director since the Obama administration, and to the Biden administration, which has seen immigration become a political liability as it has struggled to contain surges of migrants at the border and replace many of the hard-line policies it inherited. It came on a day that the bodies of at least 46 people believed to be migrants were found dead in and around a tractor-trailer on the outskirts of San Antonio.

Sheriff Gonzalez would have been a great leader of ICE, the White House said in a statement. We thank Sheriff Gonzalez for his willingness to serve in the face of baseless allegations against his family.

The nomination of Sheriff Gonzalez, who had sharply criticized the Trump administrations deportation policies, represented a major departure from the hard-line immigration chiefs who had served under President Donald J. Trump. As sheriff, he had ended a partnership with ICE because, he said, the program encouraged illegal racial profiling.

That repudiation of Mr. Trump, as well as ICE, drew criticism from Senate Republicans. But for Mr. Biden, the nomination had been a step toward fulfilling his promise of more humane immigration policies under his administration.

America has shown the world that its not only possible to survive, but thrive, as a nation that welcomes those seeking a new home and a better life through hard, honest work, Sheriff Gonzalez said during his confirmation hearing last year.

Sheriff Gonzalezs withdrawal was the latest in a series of setbacks for that pledge, for efforts to fill vacant leadership positions at the Homeland Security Department and for Mr. Bidens immigration agenda as a whole. A long-planned attempt to lift a major pandemic-era immigration restriction was blocked by a federal judge last month. Another federal judge on Saturday suspended a Biden administration policy that prioritized the arrest of undocumented immigrants who are considered a threat, rendering millions of people vulnerable to deportation.

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, has also faced withering criticism by Republican lawmakers as a momentous surge in migration across the southwestern border has overwhelmed immigration agencies. And deportations of Haitian emigrants have spiked even as the Biden administration faces criticism from progressive groups and lawmakers over how it treats Black migrants.

Sheriff Gonzalez said he would now devote his energy to leading his department and addressing the rising crime and overcrowded jails in his county.

I am grateful to President Biden for the honor of nominating me, he said on Twitter on Monday. And I wish this administration well as it strives to overcome the paralyzing political gridlock that threatens far more than our nations border. Frankly, the dysfunction threatens Americas heart and soul.

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Ed Gonzalez, Bidens Long-Stalled Nominee to Lead ICE, Withdraws - The New York Times

Dear Editor:

So glad to see the Hudson Reporter is covering the issue of Carepoint hospitals becoming non-profit from for-profit. Most people would be delighted since for-profit hospitals, stabilize patients in emergencies but do not treat them if they lack insurance.

But here are my concerns, during the early 2000s, the New York Times had many letters to the editor from CEOs of non-profit hospitals complaining about treating illegal immigrants and not being reimbursed by the state. Immigrants who lacked insurance used the emergency rooms of hospitals for their typical healthcare. Joe Biden is now placing thousands of people who crossed the borders in places like New York and New Jersey, so are we facing the same problem?

I was absolutely shocked St. Vincent Hospital went belly-up for this reason, that hospital has been around since the Civil War and treated many patients, especially AIDS patients but could not survive the bills piling up due to illegal immigration.

A number of hospitals have also closed in Hudson County while our population continues to grow. I hope this newspaper follows up on this issue. Who pays the bills of immigrants crossing the border and will our hospitals survive if those bills are not paid?

Yvonne Balcer

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Will hospitals survive? - The Hudson Reporter

Approximately eighteen months ago there was significant public commentary and proposed solutions by the current government and their self-proclaimed sheriff to stopping illegal migration and human trafficking, particularly the infamous sloops.

As I write this article, a press release has been issued stating that an illegal vessel has been intercepted with 137 persons onboard. Ironically, this has become the status quo with this administration, send a release and keep talking tough. Transitioning to present day, the self-proclaimed sheriff seems not to be able to proverbially speaking, shoot straight with an effective strategy or policy.

However, I must make mention of the increase in penalties for human smuggling and other immigration offences amendments was an encouraging approach, with support from the opposition in the House of Parliament, otherwise the current government has not established an effective national strategy to this vexing problem.

As Turks and Caicos Islanders, we all know of the negative externalities of human smuggling and the illegal entry of sloops to our shores, such as gun smuggling, narcotics smuggling and the public health and security risk to our communities nationwide. By extension, the illegal migration tentacles dont stop at our borders. They reach deep into our scarce natural resources, with the development of unsafe housing and squatter villages, which can be a breeding ground for criminality and unsavory behaviors.

This occurs while our very own Turks and Caicos Islander cannot get access to their own land to build the life they desire in their own country. This is one primary reason to act with haste in developing a national strategy with a focus on curbing this trade.

During this government's tenure thus far, the Turks and Caicos Islands has been inundated with illegal sloops breaching our borders. To be more precise, in 2021 there were 15 sloops intercepted, carrying over 1,400 persons and 8 confirmed landings of illegal vessels that were not intercepted with an unknown number of persons that the government is aware of, as shared in public releases and forums.

I commend the law enforcement agencies associated with the interceptions. In 2022, thus far 8 sloops carrying approximately 860 illegal migrants have been intercepted and approximately 9 landed with an unknown number of persons and cargo. More boats landed in this country this year than were intercepted.

To be plain speaking, this is overwhelming on our immigration personnel, marine branch, our tax dollars and a serious threat to our national security. If we do a simple conservative estimated calculation of $250.00 per illegal migrant, excluding detention cost, security and food, the numbers add up. So what will the Sheriff do?

Many would ask what did the previous administration do to combat this national security concern? Well, here is a summary of what they accomplished during their governance as it relates to illegal migration and national security. The question will also be asked, was it enough?

Comparatively they may have a superior case.

Implemented an MOU with The Bahamas to Patrol TCI waters. Allocated financing for additional Coastal Radar Coverage Established the first Permanent Secretary of National Security Office Established the National Security strategy to implement strategy on illegal Migration, Security and Crime Advance Passenger Information Systems New marine police vessels Establishment of the TCI Regiment. (Lets compare and contrast the above with what this current administration has accomplished as it related to illegal migration and national security, roughly halfway through their term); Increased penalties for illegal migration Increased personnel for the Task Force (ongoing) Outside of the above-mentioned accomplishments, that I am aware of, the sheriff has been proverbially shooting blanks to combat illegal migration and human smuggling operations into the Turks and Caicos Islands, and I state this from an open and objective prospective.

In the area of national security, the people of these islands want an effective approach to curbing this illicit trade, not just tough talk, but tough action and transformative ideas. To transform the ways in which we combat the vexing illegal trade, we must give our best and brightest law enforcement minds an opportunity to brainstorm and contribute to this national security threat.

Having worked in the field for over twenty years, I know that the best ideas does not always originate at the top. Speaking of transformation, I will share several suggestions that the sheriff may want to consider.

Procure two cutters to patrol our territorial waters on 24hr basis. This will allow for a return at sea process, heighten our enforcement and patrol capabilities. Construct a modern detention center for migrant processing and detention to improve health, safety, and security of our officers. Establish an immigration court to swiftly deal with immigration matters, persons charged with immigration offences remain in the TCI on bail too long and continue to be a national security threat. Reduce the pull factors by not processing work permit applications for persons who enter the TCI illegally. Cease issuing work permits to persons seeking employment through TC Islanders who themselves dont have gainful employment, introduce a means test process for TC Islanders applying for work permits. Increase radar coverage for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands archipelago. Train and arm the Immigration Task Force to combat the threats they encounter and enhance intelligence gathering capabilities.

Whilst these recommendations may not be a cure all, we must change our current land and sea strategies on this issue. The cost of heightening our national security is worth ever expense, or we can continue with the antiquated methods we are currently using, which we have seen the negative results. The choice is clear; act or be outnumbered in our own country. Therefore, the overarching question is, can the sheriff and his deputies stop the sloops, or not?

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What will the Sheriff do about The Sloops? - Turks and Caicos Sun

LARUT: A total of 243,297 illegal immigrants have been repatriated under the recalibration programme which has been extended until the end of this month, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic).

He said that as of Thursday (June 23), 282,561 illegal immigrants had registered for the programme, which allows them to be sent home voluntarily.

"The process will end at the end of this month and as usual, we will take firm action against anyone (undocumented migrants) who refused to take up this offer.

"These migrants comprise those staying here without documents, without valid documents or verification made by the immigration.

"Employers who hire them will also be taken to court,' he told reporters when met at a gathering in Kampung Anak Kurau here on Saturday (June 25).

Hamzah, who is MP for Larut, said undocumented migrants could register to be sent home under the programme or apply to work legally in the country through the Manpower Recalibration Programme.

"Initially, we expected only about 200,000 people but now the number of immigrants who want to go back and those wishing to work again has reached 400,000," he said.

He said the government had received almost RM1bil in levies, including from this programme, so far this year.

Among the conditions for joining the recalibration programme for going home were that the applicants must have valid travel documents approved by their own embassies and possess flight or ferry tickets to return to their home countries.

Meanwhile, Hamzah said controls at the Malaysian-Thai border would be tightened following Thailands move to legalise medical cannabis, which would make the substance more easily available in that country.

"Our recent visit to Turkiye shows that certain aspects of its border controls can be adopted for our country to tighten security," he added. - Bernama

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More than 200000 illegal immigrants repatriated under recalibration programme - The Star Online

WESLACO, Texas U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has apologized for the behavior of some of his congressional colleagues during a recent congressional field hearing in the Rio Grande Valley.

The U.S. House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth was supposed to be in the region to gather facts on economic disparity and fairness in growth. But, Republican members on the committee spent much of their time attacking President Biden over border security.

Obviously, we had a group of members that went rogue and totally got off subject. They were here for totally political reasons and political purposes. They were here to get re-elected or elected. They were not here to learn of our problems or solve our problems. It is unfortunate. I apologize to our community for the members that went rogue on us today, Gonzalez told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.

Asked by a reporter if half the allotted time of the next congressional field hearing on border security could instead be spent on economic disparity, Gonzalez said: Right. I was appalled that my Republican colleagues used this unique opportunity to paint South Texas as a lawless and unsafe community. With all of their statistics, they failed to mention that the Rio Grande Valley is home to some of the safest communities in the entire country.

Gonzalez, D-McAllen, said he worked hard to get the select committee to visit the Valley.

As we are now investing trillions of dollars in infrastructure funding, I thought it imperative that the committee came down here in person and saw the challenges we face every single day, Gonzalez said.

We are still the largest urban community in the United States that is not connected to an interstate highway. We still have drainage issues. We have major drainage issues. We have a digital divide that is like no other in the country.

In a media advisory sent out before the hearing, Gonzalez set out the parameters for the visit.

The field visit will help underscore practical approaches from the federal to local level to enhance roadways, improve drainage infrastructure, and expand access to broadband, as well as include a tour of a local colonia to illustrate unique infrastructure challenges impacting South Texas communities and highlight obstacles in escaping generational poverty.

After the event, Gonzalez acknowledged the visit did not go exactly to plan.

It was ignorant and highly disrespectful of my Republican colleagues to continue to use the Rio Grande Valley as a political backdrop and use my constituents as political pawns. It is time my Republican colleagues take some time to sit down and learn a thing or two about what South Texans are all about.

The attendance for the select committees field hearing in Weslaco held at the offices of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council resembled a Whos Who of Valley leaders. The chairman of the committee, Democrat Jim Hines of Connecticut said the number of people attending was the best the committee had ever had.

This is actually the biggest attendance we have had for a field hearing. It is important to hold the hearings outside of Washington so we can actually see the problems we are trying to address, Hines said.

We are here primarily to listen. This committee has a very simple charge. The speaker of the House asked us to look at the disparity, the economic disparity that exists in this country and all over this country.

Hines added: We believe as Americans that every American regardless of the zip code, the color of their skin, where they were born, what language they speak, they should have the opportunity to partake in the American Dream.

Hines won applause for this last remark.

Because there were more GOP members of the committee members present, there was no continuity in the discussion. Local leaders focused on issues such as drainage and flooding, the need to expand broadband, connecting I-69 East and I-69 Central to the rest of the nations interstate system, and building a second causeway to South Padre Island. But when the Republicans on the panel spoke, the focus turned sharply to undocumented immigration and beefing up border security.

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican from Wisconsin, is the ranking member on the select committee. He said he liked to get out of the Washington swamp in order to hear from ordinary folks.

In his opening remarks Steil claimed the Valley would have more local funds to address drainage issues if it did not have to spend as much on border security. He pivoted from flooding to border security in just a few sentences.

Flooding has had a significant impact on the Rio Grande Valley. This committee had an opportunity to see some of that firsthand today with the committees visit to the colonias. I think we should really explore how the federal government can partner with local areas to meet this need. Flood infrastructure costs millions of dollars. But what is so frustrating when I hear from folks here is that the federal government and local resources are being used to address a different crisis. And that is the porous border crossing the state of Texas and cities across the Rio Grande Valley millions of dollars each year, Steil said.

Steil said a video to be aired at the hearing would show that a local school had to barricade its grounds with large boulders to stop car chases. However, the school was in Brackettville, Kinney County, not the Valley. The video featured Brent Smith, the county attorney for Kinney County.

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Republican from Florida, said she would take the Valleys concerns about flooding back to Washington, D.C.. But, like the other GOP members, she spent much of her time talking about immigration. Cammack asked the five witnesses who testified at the hearing if there was a crisis at the border. Four of them refused to say yes. They were Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevio, Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes, Cameron County Commissioner David Garza, and digital inclusion specialist Jordana Barton.

Only one of the witnesses said there was a crisis at the border Susan Kibbe, executive director of the South Texans Property Rights Association. After the hearing, Kibbe, a resident of Brooks County, said: Washington has turned its back on the property owners and citizens of South Texas. I wish I could say that the administration considers us second class citizens, but to them, we dont even exist.

Kibbe said South Texas rural landowners are adversely affected by an un-secure border. Local Emergency services are being diverted from local public safety needs of their communities to deal with smuggling pursuits, bailouts, and the lost, injured, and dehydrated or dead immigrants. The normal daily emergency needs dont just put themselves on hold until illegal immigration slows down. They just become needs that are unmet.

After the hearing, Rep. Gonzalez said he kept trying to steer the conversation back to infrastructure.

We already know this but we were trying to enlighten the folks that have not been down here that we have drainage issues that need to be attended to. We are also the largest urban area in the country that is not connected to an interstate highway. Two of the three cities least connected to broadband are in the Rio Grande Valley and we need to make those substantial investments. The only way to do it is through federal funding, funding that was passed largely by Democrats. If we had not gotten those funds people would still be drinking yellow water, Gonzalez said.

I would like to thank all of the local leaders and experts for sharing their time, experiences, and recommendations with us.

Producing quality journalism is not cheap. The coronavirus has resulted in falling revenues across the newsrooms of the United States. However, The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service is committed to producing quality news reporting on the issues that matter to border residents. The support of our members is vital in ensuring our mission gets fulfilled.

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Gonzalez: Congressional hearing was supposed to focus on infrastructure, not immigration - Rio Grande Guardian