https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/berenice-garcia/The latest news by Berenice Garcia.enThu, 13 Mar 2025 16:12:36 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-fema-federal-grants-immigrants/A letter sent this week claims the grant recipients, including many Texas cities and counties, may have illegally “induced” undocumented immigrants to enter the country.By Uriel J. García, Alejandro Serrano and Berenice GarciaThu, 13 Mar 2025 16:12:36 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-fema-federal-grants-immigrants/Migrants walk from a Department of Homeland Security tent facility in front of the McAllen bus station to Catholic Charities RGV Humanitarian Respite Center on April 22, 2021.Migrants walk from a DHS tent facility in front of the McAllen bus station to Catholic Charities RGV Humanitarian Respite Center on April 22, 2021.Jason Garza for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/10/texas-mexico-water-texas-senate-donald-trump/Farmers and elected officials told a Senate committee Monday that the lack of water is becoming dire, with little relief in sight.By Berenice GarciaMon, 10 Mar 2025 15:55:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/10/texas-mexico-water-texas-senate-donald-trump/Water levels at the Falcon Dam in Starr County were dangerously low in 2022 amid a drought. On Monday, a panel of Texas senators approved a resolution asking the U.S. State Department to force Mexico to send the state water its owed.Water marks are seen on the dam gates and concrete at the Falcon Dam in Starr County on Aug. 18, 2022. This area of the reservoir is normally under water, but because of an extended drought, water levels have been below 20% full since earlier this year. The Falcon Dam was dedicated by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mexican President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines in 1953.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/06/south-texas-dhr-hospital-pantry-legislature-food-desert/As the Edinburg facility and others seek to assist people experiencing food insecurity, state lawmakers have more than a dozen bills that could tackle Texas’ food deserts.By Berenice GarciaThu, 06 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/06/south-texas-dhr-hospital-pantry-legislature-food-desert/Evangelina Yzaguirre in her home in Alton on March 1. Yzaguirre a cancer patient at DHR Health, a local hospital system, receives food aid from the hospital pantry program.Evangelina Yzaguirre, a cancer patient at DHR, receives food aid from the hospital food pantry program.Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/25/starr-county-texas-operation-lone-star/The counties hope to access state money to help pay for some criminal justice work, such as prosecuting drug cases and overtime.By Berenice GarciaTue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/25/starr-county-texas-operation-lone-star/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/texas-rio-grande-bakery-undocumented-immigrants-los-fresnos/Before federal agents arrested them, the couple who runs the bakery in Los Fresnos said they “knew this would happen one day,” a federal agent testified at court hearing.By Berenice GarciaFri, 21 Feb 2025 16:02:49 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/texas-rio-grande-bakery-undocumented-immigrants-los-fresnos/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/texas-immigrants-los-fresnos-rio-grande-valley-bakery-raid-harboring/Federal immigration agents raided the Los Fresnos bakery and detained eight workers before filing charges against the two owners.By Berenice GarciaThu, 20 Feb 2025 17:02:25 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/texas-immigrants-los-fresnos-rio-grande-valley-bakery-raid-harboring/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/14/texas-migrant-shelters-empty/The shelters began seeing fewer people dropped off by customs and border agents following former President Joe Biden’s executive order limiting some asylum claims.By Berenice GarciaFri, 14 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/14/texas-migrant-shelters-empty/Jose Alfredo Ledezma, 35, of Honduras, holds a folder next to his wife and daughter outside of Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen on Aug. 2, 2021. The shelter has seen a dramatic drop in migrants since last summer.Jose Alfredo Ledezma, 35, of Honduras, holds a folder next to his wife and daughter outside of Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen on Aug. 2, 2021.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/texas-daylight-savings-time-legislation/Lawmakers here and in Washington have long debated ending the practice of changing the clocks twice a year.By Berenice GarciaMon, 10 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/texas-daylight-savings-time-legislation/Texas lawmakers may eliminate daylight saving time. Federal law does not allow states to observe daylight saving time year round.The Texas Capitol on Feb. 1, 2021.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/31/texas-immigrants-undocumented-trump-deportation/Across the state, immigrants and their loved ones are changing their daily habits as the Trump administration orders at least 1,200 daily arrests of undocumented people.By Uriel J. García, Alejandra Martinez and Berenice GarciaFri, 31 Jan 2025 16:29:07 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/31/texas-immigrants-undocumented-trump-deportation/People gather at Memorial Park in El Paso on Jan. 29 to protest immigration raids and deportations since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.People gather at Memorial Park in El Paso on Jan. 29, 2025 to protest ICE raids and deportations.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/30/trump-tariffs-impact-texas-economy/Trump has vowed punishing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, which are Texas’ biggest international trading partners.By Matthew Choi and Berenice GarciaThu, 30 Jan 2025 12:03:26 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/30/trump-tariffs-impact-texas-economy/Cross-border trade is under threat as President Trump promises higher tariffs. A sign of how much Texas imports and exports: Trucks entering the United States after crossing the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville.Trucks entering the United States after crossing the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville on Jan. 10, 2019,Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/donald-trump-texas-doughnut-shop/The Edinburg shop owner shared her support for Trump — and special pastries — on social media following the election, garnering a rush of customers.By Berenice GarciaWed, 29 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/donald-trump-texas-doughnut-shop/Luz Ramos, owner of Papy Donuts, prepares doughnuts that will be decorated with President Donald Trump's last name in Edinburg on Jan. 24.Luz Ramos, 27, owner of Papy Donuts, prepares donuts that will be decorated with the President’s last name ‘Trump’ in Edinburg, Texas on Jan. 24, 2025. Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas TribuneGabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/rio-grande-valley-texas-health-diabetes/In Brownsville, the city and local hospital have helped residents lose more than 23,000 pounds since 2008.By Berenice GarciaThu, 23 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/rio-grande-valley-texas-health-diabetes/Pedro Mego, a medical doctor specializing in treating peripheral artery disease and helping patients prevent the need for limb amputations, poses for a photo at his clinic in Mission on Jan. 21, 2025.Pedro Mego, a medical doctor specializing in treating peripheral artery disease and helping patients prevent the need for limb amputations, poses for a photo at his clinic in Mission on Jan. 21, 2025.Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/texas-immigration-mass-deportations-economy/“We wouldn’t survive” without undocumented workers, one South Texas produce business owner said. By one estimate, 8% of Texas’ workforce lacks legal status.By Alejandra Martinez, Alejandro Serrano, Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Joshua FechterWed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/texas-immigration-mass-deportations-economy/Construction workers building homes in San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.Construction workers building homes in far west San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/22/texas-ken-paxton-ncaa-transgender-college-athletes-women-sports/The attorney general is accusing the organization of misleading fans by allowing transgender college athletes in women’s sports.By Berenice GarciaSun, 22 Dec 2024 18:57:57 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/22/texas-ken-paxton-ncaa-transgender-college-athletes-women-sports/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Sunday he sued the NCAA, accusing the college sports organization of misleading fans by allowing transgender athletes to participate in women's sports.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to delegates at the Texas Republican Convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/22/texas-kay-granger-health-fort-worth/The Fort Worth Republican’s last vote in Congress was in July. She did not seek reelection this year.By Berenice GarciaSun, 22 Dec 2024 16:35:38 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/22/texas-kay-granger-health-fort-worth/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/19/texas-citrus-industry-water/A hurricane and winter freeze devastated the South Texas industry. A lack of water is preventing a full recovery.By Berenice GarciaThu, 19 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/19/texas-citrus-industry-water/Grapefruit trees at Lone Star Citrus Growers groves in Mission on Dec. 16. A pair of natural disasters — including Winter Storm Uri in 2021 — and a lack of water has put the million-dollar citrus industry and regional leaders on edge.Grapefruit trees at Lone Star Citrus Growers groves in Mission on Dec. 16, 2024.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/18/texas-space-x-lawsuit-tceq-pollution/In the lawsuit, the groups accuse TCEQ of exceeding its authority by allowing the discharges.By Berenice GarciaWed, 18 Dec 2024 17:07:51 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/18/texas-space-x-lawsuit-tceq-pollution/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/18/texas-undocumented-immigrants-mass-deportations-trump/As Republican Texas leaders show support for Trump’s mass deportation plans, undocumented people — some who have lived in America for decades — are weighing their options amid mounting fears.By Alejandra Martinez, Berenice Garcia and Alejandro SerranoWed, 18 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/18/texas-undocumented-immigrants-mass-deportations-trump/The 41-year-old co-founder of a nonprofit that aids immigrants at his office in Dallas on Dec. 16, 2024. Born in Mexico and brought to the U.S. by his parents when he was 7, the man is undocumented and anxious about President-elect Donald Trump's promises of mass deportations.DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 16, 2024: A Dallas-resident, 41, co-founder of a nonprofit organization, at his office in Dallas, Texas on Monday, December 16, 2024. The resident was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico and migrated to the United States when he was seven-years-old. He was a DACA recipient until it expired and he didn’t reapply in time. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for The Texas TribuneDesiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/13/texas-mass-deportation-plan-immigrants/Groups are urging the state’s estimated 1.6 million undocumented migrants to prepare financially and make plans for their loved ones if they’re detained.By Berenice GarciaFri, 13 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/13/texas-mass-deportation-plan-immigrants/Attendees listen to an information session on Dec. 6 meant to prepare people for the incoming Trump administration's deportation plans in San Juan.Attendees listen to LUPE staff members during an information session to prepare people for the incoming Trump administration's deportation plans on Dec. 6, 2024, in San Juan.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/12/spacex-starbase-city-texas-cameron-county/Citing all the work the company has put into the region, employees are requesting a special election in Cameron County to incorporate a city.By Berenice GarciaThu, 12 Dec 2024 17:25:18 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/12/spacex-starbase-city-texas-cameron-county/Starbase sits on the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville. SpaceX employees say they want their own official city.The Starbase letters at SpaceX's Boca Chica Brownsville facility on Oct. 20, 2021. The SpaceX facility has become a popular destination for tourists.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune