Parents, students and teachers are invited to make a submission to inform the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review which has been launched by the Albanese Labor Government.
The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review is a key part of the Government’s plans to develop a national approach to addressing bullying in Australian schools.
The Review, being led by Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson AM, is examining current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours.
The Review will consult broadly with key stakeholders across metropolitan and regional Australia, including parents, teachers, students, parent groups, state education departments and the non-government sector.
Submissions will help in understanding the different approaches to responding to bullying in schools and the effectiveness of them.
Bullying has no place in our schools. Students, teachers and staff should always feel safe in the classroom.
That’s why we will listen to parents, students, teachers and staff to develop a national strategy that is grounded in evidence and informed by lived experiences.
The final report of the Review will be presented to all Australian Education Ministers in coming months.
Submissions are now open and close on 20 June 2025.
Visit www.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-reviewto make a submission, which can be made anonymously if preferred.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
“Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students.
“All students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence.
“That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools.
“Last year we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country.
“We will listen to parents, teachers, students and work with the states and territories to get this right.”
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/19/2025 06:30 PM EDT
05/19/2025 06:00 PM EDT
U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) will participate in Los Angeles Fleet Week festivities during Memorial Day weekend, May 23 – 26. Eagle will be moored at Berth 50/51 in San Pedro’s Outer Harbor, where it will offer free public tours during the following dates and times: • Friday, May 23 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) • Saturday, May 24 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) • Sunday, May 25 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Visitors will need to join a digital queue and be assigned a time to get in line before their visit. They will then take a shuttle bus to the ship. For more information, go to the Los Angeles Fleet Week’s web page at: https://lafleetweek.com/events_schedule/ships/
A Georgia man was arrested today in connection with his role in 15 fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, totaling more than $3.39 million in fraudulent loan proceeds.
According to court documents, Ian Patrick Jackson, 37, of Atlanta, conspired with another Atlanta man to solicit, recruit, and direct at least nine business owners to submit fraudulent PPP loan applications using fabricated tax documents. Jackson and his co-conspirator allegedly directed the business owners to falsely claim in the loan applications that each business employed 16 individuals and paid monthly wages of $120,000. After receiving the funds, the business owners wrote “payroll” checks to individuals who did not work for their companies and then either kept the money for themselves or gave the money to the co-conspirator, who in turn provided a share to Jackson.
Jackson is the 12th defendant to be charged in connection with the Atlanta-based PPP fraud ring that allegedly fraudulently obtained millions in PPP loans. All eleven previously charged defendants, including the nine business owners, have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial related to $2.7 million in fraudulent PPP loans. To date, authorities have recovered nearly $1.2 million of the stolen money.
In addition to the charged conspiracy, Jackson is alleged to have participated in three other schemes to submit fraudulent PPP or EIDL applications: (1) He applied for a fraudulent $237,500 PPP loan on behalf of Parkway Media Group LLC using fabricated tax forms and a doctored bank statement; (2) He used a forged driver’s license to fraudulently apply for approximately $100,000 in PPP and EIDL program loans using false revenue statements; and (3) He fraudulently obtained a $240,035 PPP loan and $125,000 in EIDL program loans and grants on behalf of Express Xchange LLC. As alleged in the indictment, he wrote checks made payable to individuals who did not work for the businesses using the loan proceeds. He also allegedly used the loan proceeds to pay for personal expenses, including restaurant dining, spa services, phone and credit card payments, and a vacation in Aruba.
Jackson is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, two counts of bank fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each of the conspiracy and bank fraud counts and 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud and money laundering counts.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia, Deputy Inspector General Sheldon Shoemaker of the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.
The SBA Office of Inspector General and FBI Atlanta Field Office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
Since the inception of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominique Terrel Gonzales, 35, was sentenced today to 11 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of sex trafficking a minor. Gonzales has been in federal custody since his arrest for illegal firearms possession in August 2020. The court has set a restitution hearing date for Aug. 18.
According to court documents, Gonzales first met the victim when she was 13 or 14 years old. In July and August 2020, when the victim was 17 years old, Gonzales caused her to engage in commercial sex acts. He arranged her travel across state lines and directed her acts in a rented apartment in Portland, Oregon. Gonzales collected the illicit proceeds and controlled the victim with various rules that he implemented.
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for the criminal conduct he perpetrated for years within the Western District of Washington,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Predators who target and coerce the vulnerable face appropriately serious sanctions under federal law, and the Justice Department will continue to seek significant sentences to vindicate the rights of human trafficking victims.”
“For years this defendant used violence, threats, and emotional coercion to force vulnerable young women into having sex with strangers and giving their earnings to him,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington. “He preyed upon teenagers and young women who were insecure and estranged from their families. To maintain control over his victims, Gonzales physically beat them, verbally assaulted them, and forced them to install tracking programs on their cellphones so that he could follow their every move. He used whatever means necessary to ensure that his victims engaged in prostitution to fund his luxurious lifestyle.”
“Today’s sentencing is a powerful reminder that those who prey on vulnerable children through violence and exploitation will be held fully accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle. “This individual used force and coercion to rob a minor of their freedom and dignity, and justice has now been served. This outcome was made possible through the unwavering collaboration with our law enforcement partners across multiple jurisdictions, whose dedication and coordination were vital to this investigation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and ensuring that those responsible face the full weight of the law.”
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Olympia Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, Idaho State Police, Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), and the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Crisham for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Jessica Arco of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
A man has died following a fatal crash at Kudla on Sunday.
Just after 5.20pm on Sunday 18 May police were called to Angle Vale Road with the intersection of Stebonheath Road to reports of a crash between a Ford SUV and a Hyundai sedan.
The occupants of the Hyundai, a 75-year-old woman and her 80-year-old male passenger from Waterloo Corner, together with the driver of the Ford, a 44-year-old Gawler West woman were taken to hospital for the treatment of injuries.
Sadly last night the passenger of the Hyundia, died in hospital.
The driver of the Hyundia remains in hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the Ford was treated for minor injuries.
Major Crash Investigators will now examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The man’s death is the 33rd life lost of the roads this year.
H. Con. Res. 14, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, instructed the House Committee on the Judiciary to recommend legislative changes that would increase deficits up to a specified amount over the 2025-2034 period. As part of the reconciliation process, the House Committee on the Judiciary approved legislation on April 30, 2025, with provisions that would increase deficits.
Estimated Federal Cost
The reconciliation recommendations of the House Committee on the Judiciary would increase deficits by $6.9 billion over the 2025-2034 period. The estimated budgetary effects of the legislation are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 150 (international affairs), 600 (income security), and 750 (administration of justice).
Return to Reference
Table 1.
Estimated Budgetary Effects of Reconciliation Recommendations Title VII, House Committee on the Judiciary, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2025-2029
2025-2034
Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending
Budget Authority
81,395
-354
-667
-605
-703
-789
-871
-912
-990
-1,113
79,066
74,391
Estimated Outlays
*
6,467
10,273
15,082
18,799
13,657
8,207
2,625
-530
-1,122
50,621
73,458
Increases in Revenues
Estimated Revenues
0
4,533
5,916
6,193
6,990
8,004
8,397
8,635
8,872
9,008
23,632
66,548
Net Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit
From Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues
Effect on the Deficit
*
1,934
4,357
8,889
11,809
5,653
-190
-6,010
-9,402
-10,130
26,989
6,910
Basis of Estimate
For this estimate, CBO assumes that the legislation will be enacted in summer 2025. CBO’s estimates are relative to its January 2025 baseline and cover the period from 2025 through 2034. Outlays of directly appropriated amounts were estimated using historical obligation and spending rates for similar programs. The estimates account for judicial decisions and administrative actions through April 10, 2025.
Subtitle A. Immigration Matters
Subtitle A would impose new or modify existing fees on aliens (non-U.S. nationals) seeking benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Under the legislation, a portion of those fees would remain available to certain agencies to spend without further appropriation; the remaining amounts would be deposited in the Treasury. Subtitle A also would directly appropriate $81.4 billion in total to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Justice (DOJ) for increased immigration enforcement and other activities. CBO estimates that enacting subtitle A would increase direct spending outlays by $73.5 billion and increase revenues by $66.5 billion over the 2025-2034 period (see Table 2).
Part 1. Immigration Fees
The legislation would impose fees on aliens for undertaking various activities, including applying for or renewing certain travel or work authorization documents, and applying for other benefits under the INA. Under current law, the Department of State adjudicates requests for visas from aliens abroad; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicates requests for benefits under the INA for aliens who are physically present in the United States. Fees also can be assessed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for inspections of people at ports of entry, and by the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), which oversees removal proceedings and adjudicates requests from aliens in immigration court. Under current law, those agencies can charge fees to cover the costs of providing services. Any new fees collected under the legislation would be additional to collections under current law.
A portion of some fees under the legislation would be made available to the Department of State, CBP, EOIR, HHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and USCIS; those amounts could be spent without further appropriation. Beginning in 2027, CBO estimates that some of that spending would be subject to sequestration.
The legislation specifies fee amounts for 2025. In subsequent years, some amounts would increase based on the consumer price index for all urban consumers. The legislation would prohibit any fees from being waived or reduced.
Indirect taxes and regulatory fees tend to reduce collections of income and payroll taxes. As a result, CBO expects that most of the new fee collections would be partially offset by decreases in tax receipts of about 25 percent of the gross fee collections each year. Unless otherwise noted in the estimates below, that offset is applied to the estimated revenues for each fee.
CBO’s estimates of the number of people who would pay the fees are based on a January 2025 demographic and economic forecast. Where applicable, those projections were adjusted to account for executive actions and judicial decisions undertaken as of April 10, 2025. Those include ending the use of various categorical parole programs; terminating parole for people who arrived under the Parole Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans; and terminating the 2023 designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals physically present before October 3, 2023. CBO’s estimates also are based on historical trends in filing volume and recent trends in inflows of other foreign nationals since January 2025. Where applicable, CBO’s estimates also account for applicants’ and petitioners’ responses to the fees that would be imposed under the legislation.
Asylum Fee. Section 70002 would impose a $1,000 fee on aliens applying for asylum. CBO estimates that about 4 million people will apply for asylum over the 2025-2034 period, increasing revenues by $2.3 billion under this section for the same period. Some of those fees would be made available to EOIR and USCIS to retain and spend without further appropriation. CBO estimates that the provision would increase outlays by $1.5 billion over the 2025-2034 period. On net, CBO estimates that enacting this section would decrease the deficit by $784 million over the 2025-2034 period. (Under current law, aliens in removal proceedings can file defensive asylum applications with EOIR; others can file affirmative asylum applications with USCIS. Under this provision, 50 percent of the fees collected from defensive asylum applications would be made available to EOIR and 50 percent of the fees collected from affirmative asylum applications would be made available to USCIS.)
Employment Authorization Document Fees. Section 70003 would impose a $550 fee on certain aliens applying for initial work authorization. The fee would apply to asylum applicants, parolees, and people granted TPS. Of the fees collected from asylum applicants, 25 percent would be made available to USCIS to retain and spend without further appropriation.
CBO estimates that about 3 million asylum applicants, 225,000 parolees, and fewer than 1,000 TPS beneficiaries will apply for initial work authorization over the 2025-2034 period, increasing revenues under this provision by $1.4 billion over the same period. CBO also estimates that the provision would increase outlays by $413 million over the 2025‑2034 period. On net, CBO estimates that enacting the provision would decrease Erich Dvorak (for nonimmigration matters)
Estimate Reviewed By
Elizabeth Cove Delisle Chief, Income Security Cost Estimates Unit
Ann E. Futrell Acting Chief, Natural and Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit
Justin Humphrey Chief, Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit
Joshua Shakin Chief, Revenue Projections Unit
Kathleen FitzGerald Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit
Christina Hawley Anthony Deputy Director of Budget Analysis
H. Samuel Papenfuss Deputy Director of Budget Analysis
Chad Chirico Director of Budget Analysis
Phillip L. Swagel
Director, Congressional Budget Office
[Table 2 begins on the next page.]
Authorization Document Fees
Budget Authority
0
77
63
54
47
42
39
38
37
35
241
432
Estimated Outlays
0
50
62
57
50
44
40
38
36
36
219
413
Sec. 70007, Unaccompanied Alien Child Sponsor Fee
Budget Authority
0
23
24
18
17
18
18
18
19
19
82
174
Estimated Outlays
0
12
21
20
18
18
18
18
19
19
71
163
Sec. 70009, Form I-94 Fee
Budget Authority
0
-702
-1,012
-1,063
-1,131
-1,204
-1,283
-1,355
-1,442
-1,544
-3,908
-10,736
Estimated Outlays
0
-746
-1,016
-1,066
-1,135
-1,208
-1,287
-1,369
-1,457
-1,550
-3,963
-10,834
Sec. 70015, Diversity Immigrant Visa Fees
Budget Authority
0
143
137
149
152
155
158
166
170
169
581
1,399
Estimated Outlays
0
71
108
143
150
153
156
159
163
166
472
1,269
Sec. 70016, EOIR Fees
Budget Authority
0
28
37
40
40
41
43
45
46
46
145
366
Estimated Outlays
0
18
30
37
40
41
43
43
44
45
125
341
Sec. 70017, ESTA Fee
Budget Authority
0
-80
-10
116
123
129
136
146
155
159
149
874
Estimated Outlays
0
-26
-38
15
80
123
130
136
144
152
31
716
Sec. 70018, Immigration User Fees
Budget Authority
0
-96
-152
-132
-134
-137
-140
-128
-131
-148
-514
-1,198
Estimated Outlays
0
-194
-174
-140
-137
-139
-142
-145
-148
-151
-645
-1,370
Sec. 70019, EVUS Fee
Budget Authority
0
11
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
20
56
150
Estimated Outlays
0
2
10
14
15
16
17
18
18
19
41
129
(Continued)
Table 2.
Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under Reconciliation Recommendations Title VII, House Committee on the Judiciary, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
(Continued)
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2025-2029
2025-2034
Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending
Part 2. Use of Funds
Sec. 70100, Executive Office for Immigration Review
Budget Authority
1,250
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,250
1,250
Estimated Outlays
*
47
153
322
553
144
31
0
0
0
1,075
1,250
Sec. 70101, Adult Alien Detention Capacity and Family Residential Centers
Budget Authority
45,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
45,000
45,000
Estimated Outlays
*
4,000
6,900
9,550
11,500
7,050
4,200
1,800
0
0
31,950
45,000
Sec. 70102, Retention and Signing Bonuses for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Personnel
Budget Authority
858
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
858
858
Estimated Outlays
*
77
86
101
126
206
238
24
0
0
390
858
Sec. 70103, Hiring of Additional U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Personnel
Budget Authority
8,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8,000
8,000
Estimated Outlays
*
320
700
1,100
1,500
2,220
1,720
360
80
0
3,620
8,000
Sec. 70104, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Hiring Capability
Budget Authority
600
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
600
600
Estimated Outlays
*
390
120
90
0
0
0
0
0
0
600
600
Sec. 70105, Transportation and Removal Operations
Budget Authority
14,400
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14,400
14,400
Estimated Outlays
*
625
1,561
2,538
3,575
3,068
1,853
935
245
0
8,299
14,400
Sec. 70106, Information Technology Investments
Budget Authority
700
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
700
700
Estimated Outlays
*
7
40
84
160
196
115
70
28
0
291
700
Sec. 70107, Facilities Upgrades
Budget Authority
550
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
550
550
Estimated Outlays
*
6
30
66
128
154
92
52
22
0
230
550
Sec. 70108, Fleet Modernization
Budget Authority
250
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
250
250
Estimated Outlays
*
20
44
70
69
35
12
0
0
0
203
250
Sec. 70109, Promoting Family Unity
Budget Authority
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
20
Estimated Outlays
*
16
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
20
(Continued)
Table 2.
Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under Reconciliation Recommendations Title VII, House Committee on the Judiciary, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
(Continued)
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2025-2029
2025-2034
Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending
Sec. 70110, Funding Section 287(G) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
Budget Authority
650
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
650
650
Estimated Outlays
*
50
105
165
190
100
40
0
0
0
510
650
Sec. 70111, Compensation for Incarceration of Criminal Aliens
Budget Authority
950
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
950
950
Estimated Outlays
*
9
142
285
256
190
29
19
10
10
692
950
Sec. 70112, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor
Budget Authority
1,320
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,320
1,320
Estimated Outlays
*
56
115
183
245
369
281
59
12
0
599
1,320
Sec. 70113, Return of Aliens Arriving From Contiguous Territory
Budget Authority
500
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
500
500
Estimated Outlays
*
275
150
75
0
0
0
0
0
0
500
500
Sec. 70114, State and Local Participation in Homeland Security Efforts
Budget Authority
787
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
787
787
Estimated Outlays
*
394
236
157
0
0
0
0
0
0
787
787
Sec. 70115, Unaccompanied Alien Children Capacity
Budget Authority
3,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,000
3,000
Estimated Outlays
*
90
180
450
600
600
450
270
120
0
1,320
2,760
Sec. 70116, Department of Homeland Security Criminal and Gang Checks for Unaccompanied Alien Children
Budget Authority
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
20
Estimated Outlays
*
16
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
20
Sec. 70117, Department of Health and Human Services Criminal and Gang Checks for Unaccompanied Alien Children
Budget Authority
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
20
Estimated Outlays
*
4
6
6
4
0
0
0
0
0
20
20
Sec. 70118, Information about Sponsors and Adult Residents of Sponsor Households
Budget Authority
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
50
50
Estimated Outlays
*
10
15
15
10
0
0
0
0
0
50
50
(Continued)
Table 2.
Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under Reconciliation Recommendations Title VII, House Committee on the Judiciary, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
(Continued)
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2025-2029
2025-2034
Increases or Decreases (-) in Direct Spending
Sec. 70119, Repatriation of Unaccompanied Alien Children
Budget Authority
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
100
Estimated Outlays
*
80
15
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
100
Sec. 70120, United States Secret Service
Budget Authority
1,170
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,170
1,170
Estimated Outlays
*
61
188
333
469
94
25
0
0
0
1,051
1,170
Sec. 70121, Combating Drug Trafficking and Illegal Drug Use
Budget Authority
500
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
500
500
Estimated Outlays
*
350
100
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
500
500
Sec. 70122, Investigating and Prosecuting Immigration Related Matters
Budget Authority
600
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
600
600
Estimated Outlays
*
128
150
150
150
22
0
0
0
0
578
600
Sec. 70123, Expedited Removal for Criminal Aliens
Budget Authority
75
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
75
75
Estimated Outlays
*
60
11
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
75
75
Sec. 70124, Removal of Certain Criminal Aliens Without Further Hearing
Budget Authority
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
25
Estimated Outlays
*
20
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
25
Subtitle C. Other Matters
Sec. 70300, Limitation on Donations Made Pursuant to Settlement Agreements to Which the United States Is a Party
Budget Authority
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
Estimated Outlays
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
Total Changes
Budget Authority
81,395
-354
-667
-605
-703
-789
-871
-912
-990
-1,113
79,066
74,391
Estimated Outlays
*
6,467
10,273
15,082
18,799
13,657
8,207
2,625
-530
-1,122
50,621
73,458
(Continued)
Table 2.
Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under Reconciliation Recommendations Title VII, House Committee on the Judiciary, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
(Continued)
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2025-2029
2025-2034
Increases and Decreases (-) in Revenues
Subtitle A. Immigration Matters
Part 1. Immigration Fees
Sec. 70002, Asylum Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
356
361
287
244
219
206
198
195
194
1,248
2,260
Sec. 70003, Employment Authorization Document Fees
Estimated Revenues
0
234
205
167
148
134
125
120
118
116
754
1,367
Sec. 70004, Parole Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
19
49
Sec. 70005, Special Immigrant Juvenile Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
8
18
Sec. 70006, Temporary Protected Status Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
126
212
154
155
209
142
162
205
139
647
1,504
Sec. 70007, Unaccompanied Alien Child Sponsor Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
68
69
53
51
52
53
54
56
57
241
513
Sec. 70008, Visa Integrity Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
2,154
2,992
3,115
3,080
3,216
3,355
3,499
3,646
3,798
11,341
28,855
Sec. 70010, Yearly Asylum Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
0
0
0
61
118
231
231
233
237
61
1,111
Sec. 70011, Fee for Continuances Granted in Immigration Court Proceedings
Estimated Revenues
0
30
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
156
386
Sec. 70012, Fee Relating to Renewal and Extension of Employment Authorization for Parolees
Estimated Revenues
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 70013, Fee Relating to Termination, Renewal, and Extension of Employment Authorization for Asylum Applicants
Estimated Revenues
0
313
489
622
1,462
1,984
2,155
2,200
2,205
2,211
2,886
13,641
Sec. 70014, Fee Relating to Renewal and Extension of Employment Authorization for Aliens Granted Temporary Protected Status
Estimated Revenues
0
229
364
549
546
543
538
534
531
526
1,688
4,360
(Continued)
Table 2.
Estimated Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues Under Reconciliation Recommendations Title VII, House Committee on the Judiciary, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
(Continued)
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2025-2029
2025-2034
Increases and Decreases (-) in Revenues
Sec. 70015, Diversity Immigrant Visa Fees
Estimated Revenues
0
703
717
734
750
766
783
800
817
835
2,904
6,905
Sec. 70016, EOIR Fees
Estimated Revenues
0
76
104
107
109
112
114
116
118
121
396
977
Sec. 70017, ESTA Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
0
208
288
299
571
592
603
626
648
795
3,835
Sec. 70019, EVUS Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
13
18
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
68
178
Sec. 70020, Fee for Sponsor of Unaccompanied Alien Child who Fails to Appear in Immigration Court
Estimated Revenues
0
210
110
30
-5
-15
5
15
15
15
345
380
Sec. 70021, Fee for Aliens Ordered Removed in Absentia
Estimated Revenues
0
10
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
15
50
123
Sec. 70022, Customs and Border Protection Inadmissible Alien Apprehension Fee
Estimated Revenues
0
5
6
7
7
9
10
12
14
16
25
86
Subtitle C. Other Matters
Sec. 70300, Limitation on Donations Made Pursuant to Settlement Agreements to Which the United States Is a Party
Estimated Revenues
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
Total Changes
Estimated Revenues
0
4,533
5,916
6,193
6,990
8,004
8,397
8,635
8,872
9,008
23,632
66,548
Net Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit
From Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues
Effect on the Deficit
0
1,934
4,357
8,889
11,809
5,653
-190
-6,010
-9,402
-10,130
26,989
6,910
a. CBO has no basis on which to estimate the direction or magnitude of the changes in direct spending and revenues or the effect on the deficit that would stem from the enactment of section 70300.
A Georgia man was arrested today in connection with his role in 15 fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, totaling more than $3.39 million in fraudulent loan proceeds.
According to court documents, Ian Patrick Jackson, 37, of Atlanta, conspired with another Atlanta man to solicit, recruit, and direct at least nine business owners to submit fraudulent PPP loan applications using fabricated tax documents. Jackson and his co-conspirator allegedly directed the business owners to falsely claim in the loan applications that each business employed 16 individuals and paid monthly wages of $120,000. After receiving the funds, the business owners wrote “payroll” checks to individuals who did not work for their companies and then either kept the money for themselves or gave the money to the co-conspirator, who in turn provided a share to Jackson.
Jackson is the 12th defendant to be charged in connection with the Atlanta-based PPP fraud ring that allegedly fraudulently obtained millions in PPP loans. All eleven previously charged defendants, including the nine business owners, have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial related to $2.7 million in fraudulent PPP loans. To date, authorities have recovered nearly $1.2 million of the stolen money.
In addition to the charged conspiracy, Jackson is alleged to have participated in three other schemes to submit fraudulent PPP or EIDL applications: (1) He applied for a fraudulent $237,500 PPP loan on behalf of Parkway Media Group LLC using fabricated tax forms and a doctored bank statement; (2) He used a forged driver’s license to fraudulently apply for approximately $100,000 in PPP and EIDL program loans using false revenue statements; and (3) He fraudulently obtained a $240,035 PPP loan and $125,000 in EIDL program loans and grants on behalf of Express Xchange LLC. As alleged in the indictment, he wrote checks made payable to individuals who did not work for the businesses using the loan proceeds. He also allegedly used the loan proceeds to pay for personal expenses, including restaurant dining, spa services, phone and credit card payments, and a vacation in Aruba.
Jackson is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, two counts of bank fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each of the conspiracy and bank fraud counts and 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud and money laundering counts.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia, Deputy Inspector General Sheldon Shoemaker of the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.
The SBA Office of Inspector General and FBI Atlanta Field Office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
Since the inception of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dominique Terrel Gonzales, 35, was sentenced today to 11 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of sex trafficking a minor. Gonzales has been in federal custody since his arrest for illegal firearms possession in August 2020. The court has set a restitution hearing date for Aug. 18.
According to court documents, Gonzales first met the victim when she was 13 or 14 years old. In July and August 2020, when the victim was 17 years old, Gonzales caused her to engage in commercial sex acts. He arranged her travel across state lines and directed her acts in a rented apartment in Portland, Oregon. Gonzales collected the illicit proceeds and controlled the victim with various rules that he implemented.
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for the criminal conduct he perpetrated for years within the Western District of Washington,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Predators who target and coerce the vulnerable face appropriately serious sanctions under federal law, and the Justice Department will continue to seek significant sentences to vindicate the rights of human trafficking victims.”
“For years this defendant used violence, threats, and emotional coercion to force vulnerable young women into having sex with strangers and giving their earnings to him,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington. “He preyed upon teenagers and young women who were insecure and estranged from their families. To maintain control over his victims, Gonzales physically beat them, verbally assaulted them, and forced them to install tracking programs on their cellphones so that he could follow their every move. He used whatever means necessary to ensure that his victims engaged in prostitution to fund his luxurious lifestyle.”
“Today’s sentencing is a powerful reminder that those who prey on vulnerable children through violence and exploitation will be held fully accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle. “This individual used force and coercion to rob a minor of their freedom and dignity, and justice has now been served. This outcome was made possible through the unwavering collaboration with our law enforcement partners across multiple jurisdictions, whose dedication and coordination were vital to this investigation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and ensuring that those responsible face the full weight of the law.”
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Olympia Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, Idaho State Police, Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), and the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Crisham for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Jessica Arco of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
A federal jury in the Eastern District of Texas convicted Corey Lamar Johnson, 42, of Jefferson, Texas, today on two counts of sex trafficking and related charges for his conduct in trafficking multiple young women in several states, compelling the victims to engage in commercial sex through acts and threats of physical and psychological harm. Specifically, the jury convicted Johnson of two counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation, three counts of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Johnson’s co-defendants, Jessica Smith, 38, and Rachel Walker, 31, previously pleaded guilty respectively to conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution sex trafficking.
“The defendant used violence and threats of violence to compel his victims to engage in commercial sex for his profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “There is no place in a civilized society for the defendant’s inhumane conduct, and the Justice Department is committed to punishing human trafficking and achieving justice for its victims.”
“Congratulations to the team who brought Corey Johnson to a well-deserved appointment with justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. for the Eastern District of Texas. “For far too long, the defendant treated vulnerable, young women in ways no person should ever be treated, but today justice was served. There is no more important work for the U.S. Attorney’s Office than to rescue the oppressed and protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
Evidence at trial showed that Johnson recruited young and vulnerable women through alluring posts online of his supposedly extravagant lifestyle. Johnson promised the victims he recruited that they, too, could achieve such a lifestyle. Once recruited, however, Johnson had the victims engage in commercial sex acts, and when the victims wanted to leave Johnson, he turned violent, using threats, physical force, brandishing his firearms, and bragging about having “beat” a murder charge, all to keep the victims engaging in commercial sex for his profit.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Johnson faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison as well as mandatory restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Kummerfeld and Robert Wells for the Eastern District of Texas, and Trial Attorney Slava Kuperstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/19/2025 05:30 PM EDT
05/19/2025 05:01 PM EDT
SAN DIEGO – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Haddock (WPB-87347), Station San Diego and partner agencies apprehended 11 aliens in the San Diego Bay, Sunday.
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who was on supervised release when he brought methamphetamine and a firearm to a meeting with his United States Probation Officer was sentenced today by United States District Judge James C. Mahan to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Anthony Valenzuela was on supervised release for a felony conviction for felon in possession of a firearm. On March 7, 2023, he drove to the United States Probation Office for a meeting with his supervising officer. During a search of his vehicle, officers found a bookbag containing a digital scale, plastic bags, mail, and a fake drink can containing methamphetamine. In another bag, officers found additional methamphetamine and a Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol. The drugs recovered from the vehicle consisted of at least 150 grams but less than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Photo of methamphetamine powder in resealable bag concealed in drink can.
Photo of a black Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol in a bag.
In January 2025, Valenzuela pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the United States Probation Office with assistance by Homeland Security Investigations and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jean Ripley prosecuted the case.
RICHMOND, Va. – A Petersburg woman was sentenced today to five years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, between June 28, 2024, and July 2, 2024, Miranda Lynn Hubert, 29, distributed 141.75 grams of meth. On July 2, 2024, Hubert, who had several outstanding warrants at the time, arrived at a 7-Eleven in Richmond to sell meth. Law enforcement took Hubert into custody and conducted a search of her vehicle. Investigators recovered 84 grams of meth, a handgun, and a digital scale.
Hubert was convicted previously for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, larceny, probation violation, entering a house to commit larceny, and assault and battery.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. The Prince George County Police Department assisted in the investigation of this case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gilliland, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-168.
TYLER, Texas – A Jefferson man has been found guilty of federal sex trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
Corey Lamar Johnson, 42, was found guilty by a jury on all counts following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, on May 19, 2025. Specifically, the jury convicted Johnson of two counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation, three counts of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, and conspiracy to violate the Travel Act. Johnson’s co-defendants, Jessica Smith and Rachel Walker, previously pleaded guilty to related charges.
“Congratulations to the team who brought Corey Johnson to a well-deserved appointment with justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. “For far too long, the defendant treated vulnerable, young women in ways no person should ever be treated, but today justice was served. There is no more important work for the U.S. Attorney’s Office than to rescue the oppressed and protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
“The defendant used violence and threats of violence to compel his victims to engage in commercial sex for his profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “There is no place in a civilized society for the defendant’s inhumane conduct, and the Justice Department is committed to punishing human trafficking and achieving justice for its victims.”
On June 15, 2023, Johnson and two co-conspirators were named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury, charging them with sex trafficking conspiracy, sex trafficking, transportation, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy to violate the Travel Act.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Johnson trafficked young women across the United States and compelled them to engage in commercial sex through force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion. Johnson recruited vulnerable, young women through social media posts that boasted of his lavish lifestyle. He promised the victims he recruited that they could also achieve such a lifestyle. Once they were recruited, Johnson introduced the victims to commercial sex, and when the victims wanted to leave him, he became violent, using force and threats, brandishing firearms, and bragging about having “beat” a murder charge, all to keep the victims engaged in commercial sex for his profit.
At sentencing, Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison as well as mandatory restitution. The statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division with assistance from the Canton Police Department, the Chandler Police Department, the Arlington Police Department, and the Bossier City Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Wells, and James Mack Noble, IV, and Trial Attorney Slava Kuperstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit with the assistance of Trial Attorney Julie Pfluger and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana man has been found guilty of federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
Deablo Deshon Lewis, 34, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III, on May 15, 2025.
According to information presented in court, Lewis was arrested on April 1, 2021, in Texarkana, Arkansas, after agreeing to sell 150 counterfeit oxycontin “M-30” pills to another person. After the arrest, Lewis admitted that he had marijuana at his home in Texarkana, Texas, and a search warrant was issued. During the search, officers located over 2,800 counterfeit “M-30” pills containing fentanyl, over 700 “ecstasy” pills containing methamphetamine, over 180 counterfeit Xanax pills containing clonazolam, bulk marijuana, THC edibles, and synthetic marijuana products. Officers also recovered two loaded firearms. In February 2022, after being released on bond, officers stopped a vehicle leaving a suspected drug transaction with Lewis. The occupant confirmed that they had just purchased counterfeit “M-30” pills from Lewis. A search warrant was issued, and officers discovered additional fake “M-30” pills containing fentanyl and hundreds more “ecstasy” pills containing methamphetamine.
At sentencing, Lewis faces up to 40 years in federal prison. The statutory maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Texarkana (Texas) Police Department, Texarkana (Arkansas) Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Bowie County Sheriff’s Office, Miller County (Arkansas) Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker, Lauren Richards, and Jonathan Hornok.
OXFORD, MS – Sean Patrick Curtis, 29, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for causing a home invasion while he was in custody for a state sentence.
According to documents and evidence presented in court, on the evening of January 17, 2023, two men entered a home in the State of Nevada, where a couple and their two minor children were present. The victims were held at gunpoint and an adult victim was assaulted and robbed.
Investigators later learned that Curtis directed the men to the home. At the time, Curtis was serving a sentence in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Curtis communicated through social media applications and FaceTime to orchestrate the home invasion and target a former girlfriend. Curtis pled guilty to cyberstalking earlier this year.
U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson sentenced Curtis to 144 months imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release for the offense.
“This defendant, from prison, directed a home invasion which terrorized a family and could have ended in greater tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “Great investigative work by our partners at the FBI, and the work done by AUSA Addison led to the proper result – prison for a violent offender.”
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Howell Addison prosecuted the case.
Washington DC, United States – President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Washington DC for a high-level Working Visit aimed at resetting and revitalising bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States.
Touching down in the US capital this afternoon, the President was in high spirits as he greeted members of the media with a warm smile and a wave before proceeding into his hotel.
The visit is set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global landscape and comes at a time when both countries are exploring opportunities to redefine their engagement.
WATCH | President Ramaphosa arrives in Washington DC
On Wednesday, President Ramaphosa is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House, in what is seen as a pivotal moment for strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and global diplomacy.
Speaking to media upon arrival, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya emphasised the importance of the visit, describing it as a significant step in reframing bilateral, economic and trade relations.
“The President is prepared for the moment. He’s looking forward to it. He’s highly enthused, and we’re looking forward to a very successful meeting aimed at resetting the relationship between South Africa and the United States,” Magwenya said.
He added that the primary goal is to engage openly and constructively on a range of issues, with a strong focus on trade relations.
“The whole world knows there is no persecution of any particular race in South Africa. So, we don’t need to spend any effort dispelling something that is well known is not there.
“We’re going to be focusing on opportunities that will underpin this resetting of the relationship, and we’re looking forward to ironing out whatever issues of concern that there may be,” he said.
The future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US trade preference programme, is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
“We would still like to see AGOA extended and see South Africa’s continued participation in AGOA. However, if the Trump administration has decided to do away with the trade scheme, we will then be ready to table an outline of what will be a new trade relationship framework,” said Magwenya.
AGOA is a US trade preference programme that benefits eligible sub-Saharan African countries, providing duty-free access to the US market for many products, including vehicles, citrus, wine, and some apparel.
In April, President Trump announced global reciprocal tariffs on most imported goods, with South Africa facing a 31% tariff increase, effectively nullifying the preference that sub-Saharan African countries enjoy under AGOA.
Commenting on broader multilateral dynamics, including South Africa’s G20 Presidency, Magwenya addressed questions about the perceived lack of high-level US participation in recent ministerial meetings.
“[On] that so-called instruction [by the National Security Council], we have not received any formal communication. As far as that is concerned, we’ve seen media reports citing unnamed sources, so we can’t respond to that.
“Up until now, the US has been fully engaged in the Troika, participating in all G20-related activities. The invitation to President Trump remains open to join other Heads of State at the G20 Summit in November. It’s still a long time between now and then, and a lot can still happen,” Magwenya said.
When asked whether President Ramaphosa was apprehensive, particularly in light of past contentious interactions between President Trump and other world leaders, Magwenya was unequivocal.
“No, he’s not apprehensive at all. We don’t think President Trump invited [the] President for that kind of treatment. There are issues of concern on the side of the US and on our side as well. It is possible that those issues may trigger a rather robust discussion, that’s all in the nature of these engagements.
“President Ramaphosa… has his own style of engaging. He’s got his own style of communicating, and so we cannot attribute that event to what may or may not happen,” he said.
The Spokesperson also responded to questions on the so-called “persecution” of white South African farmers and the refugee narrative.
“Clearly, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed, and it will be addressed. But the President is not planning to spend an inordinate amount of time on that issue. The focus is on resetting this relationship and refocusing towards a revised and more enhanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship,” he said.
On whether President Ramaphosa will meet South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk during his time in the US, Magwenya said: “Well, we’ve just arrived. We’re going to be briefed by our team that advanced here, and so we will take direction from them in terms of what has been done, what has been prepared, and the allocations.”
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by a high-level delegation of Ministers, including Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau; Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and the Special Envoy to the United States of America, Mcebisi Jonas. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, and China expects Poland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, to play a more constructive role in pushing China-EU relations toward new progress, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
Poland is an important strategic partner of China in Europe, Wang Yi noted, adding that China is ready to maintain high-level contacts with Poland and expand practical cooperation in various fields.
Recalling that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, Wang Yi said that China hopes to work with Poland to uphold the international order established after World War II, defend the central role of the UN, and protect international law and the basic norms of international relations.
The return of Taiwan to China is an integral part of the victorious results of World War II and the post-war international order, the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized. He expressed hope that Poland will adhere to the international consensus, continue to pursue the one-China policy and oppose any form of separatism to gain “Taiwan independence.”
R. Sikorski, in turn, stated that Poland attaches great importance to relations with China, will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and is committed to strengthening exchanges with China at all levels, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, jointly protecting the post-war international order and continuously promoting Polish-Chinese and European-Chinese relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis. Wang Yi said that the developments in Ukraine have proven that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal takes into account the interests of all parties and is an important guiding principle for advancing the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.
As the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted, China has always made efforts to promote peace talks, never abandoned peace efforts, and, in particular, established the “Friends of Peace” group together with other countries in the Global South.
Russia and Ukraine recently resumed direct talks, taking a first step toward peace despite differences in positions, Wang said, adding that China expects all sides to further demonstrate their willingness to resolve the crisis through political means and ultimately reach a fair, lasting and legally binding peace agreement through continued dialogue.
The Polish Foreign Minister expressed hope that China will continue to play an active role in establishing lasting peace in Europe. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Yerevan, May 19 /Xinhua/ — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Li Xinwei, the Chinese Embassy in Armenia reported on its website on Monday.
During the meeting, N. Pashinyan stated that the Armenian government attaches great importance to deepening friendship and cooperation with China and is ready for close high-level exchanges, strengthening political mutual trust and advancing Armenian-Chinese relations to a new level for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Armenian side expects to further expand practical cooperation with the Chinese side, in particular in such aspects as the implementation of economic cooperation projects, strengthening interconnectivity and increasing cultural and humanitarian exchanges, in order to continue to reveal the potential of bilateral cooperation.
Li Xinwei, in turn, noted that China and Armenia are good friends and reliable partners. According to him, over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have maintained healthy and stable development of friendly ties, and cooperation in various fields is steadily moving forward. In the future, China is ready to work together with Armenia to promote further deepening and new practical results of Chinese-Armenian relations, the ambassador added. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — China’s Ministry of Commerce on Monday condemned the United States for abusing export controls on Chinese chips, calling on the U.S. side to immediately correct its wrong actions and lift discriminatory measures against China.
Commenting on the revised US statement on Chinese chips, a Commerce Department spokesman said it was still discriminatory in nature and market-distorting.
The United States is abusing export controls and imposing tougher restrictions on Chinese chips based on baseless accusations, the official said, stressing that China firmly opposes such unilateral bullying.
According to him, the US actions seriously violate the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, threaten the security and stability of global supply chains in the semiconductor industry, and deal a serious blow to global scientific and technological innovation.
The official called on the US side to cooperate with China to maintain the consensus reached at the high-level talks in Geneva and promote the building of sustainable, long-term and mutually beneficial bilateral trade and economic relations.
If the US continues to cause significant damage to China, the Chinese side will take decisive measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests, the official representative promised. –0–
New York, NY, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wen Acquisition Corp (the “Company”) announced today the closing of its initial public offering of 30,015,000 units, which includes 3,915,000 units issued pursuant to the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in full. The offering was priced at $10.00 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $300,150,000. The Company’s units began trading on May 16, 2025 on The Nasdaq Global Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “WENNU.” Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustment. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Once the securities constituting the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “WENN” and “WENNW,” respectively. Of the proceeds received from the consummation of the initial public offering (including the exercise of the over-allotment option) and a simultaneous private placement of warrants, $300,150,000 (or $10.00 per unit sold in the offering) was placed in trust.
The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution. The Company’s primary focus, however, will be on infrastructure companies in the financial technology (“fintech”) sector that are focused on enablement of digital assets, such as stablecoins, through the incorporation and integration of blockchain networks into the traditional financial systems.
The Company’s management team is led by Julian M. Sevillano, its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), and Jurgen van de Vyver, its Chief Financial Officer. The Board also includes Josh Fried, Co-Vice Chairman of the Board, Sheraz Shere, Co-Vice Chairman of the Board, and Drew Glover.
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.
A registration statement relating to the securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 15, 2025. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” No assurance can be given that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated.
Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
WASHINGTON – After a highly concerning report revealed Pentagon bureaucrats used government charge cards for more than 11,000 transactions at “known high-risk merchants,” including casinos, night clubs, and bars, U.S. Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) are commissioning a government-wide review of federal charge card programs.
Among the issues raised by the lawmakers to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a recent U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audit finding which revealed the federal government maintains approximately 4.6 million active charge cards and accounts, nearly double the number of federal employees.
“With tens of billions in taxpayer funds at stake each year, a comprehensive assessment is urgently needed to identify systemic risks, eliminate inefficiencies, and restore accountability to federal charge card programs. To better understand the scope of this issue and to inform potential reforms, we request the GAO conduct a comprehensive review of the issuance and management of government purchase, travel, fleet, and integrated charge cards and accounts across federal agencies subject to the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990,” wrote the lawmakers.
Click here to view the letter.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)
Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1) last night introduced an amendment to the Republican budget bill to rescind a provision by Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei that would sell off 65,000 acres of public lands in Clark County for private development. The Amodei provision would have no conservation benefits for Southern Nevada and would force local taxpayers to pay the costs of extending infrastructure to far-flung developments.
The House Budget Committee late Sunday night passed a Republican budget bill that includes the Amodei amendment to sell public lands in Southern Nevada with proceeds going directly into the U.S. Treasury.
“This Republican budget includes a massive land grab in Southern Nevada to pay for tax breaks for the rich,” Congresswoman Titus said. “There are no provisions for setting aside lands for conservation or preserving critical ecosystems. The lands proposed for sale are distant from urban areas and would require expensive extensions of infrastructure that Nevada taxpayers would be forced to bear. These developments also would strain our fragile water resources. Retaining the Amodei amendment in this legislation would make a bad bill even worse. I intend to do everything I can to stop this rip-off that benefits no one in Southern Nevada.”
Later this week, Congresswoman Titus’s amendment will be considered during the House Rules Committee’s consideration of the Republican budget, scheduled for 1 a.m. Wednesday. House Republican leadership is seeking to bring to the House floor by Memorial Day its budget proposal containing massive cuts to Medicaid, education, housing assistance and other vital services.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2025
Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov
Representatives Barragán and Garcia hold Press Conference in Response to Trump’s Tariffs and Comments on Port Traffic Slowdown
Long Beach, CA — Today, Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Robert Garcia (CA-42), along with Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, held a press conference on the harmful effects of President Trump’s tariffs on the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, local workforce, and working-class communities.
The Congress Members and Mayor Richardson were responding to Donald Trump’s comment yesterday that “it’s a good thing” that ports across the United States are experiencing a slowdown in traffic. Port of Long Beach Chief Operating Officer Dr. Noel Hacegaba also participated in the press conference to speak on how the tariffs have caused a drastic decline in container traffic to the Port, setting off a chain reaction of supply shortages, price spikes, and job cuts for longshoremen, truck drivers, and warehouse employees.
“It is outrageous to claim that the traffic slowdown at our ports is a ‘good thing’ when we have already seen how it’s hurting our middle and working class families,” said Rep. Barragán. “When traffic slows down, people lose their jobs and every family has to pay more at the checkout line — the American people are paying more for everyday essentials because of Trump and House Republicans’ harmful policies. House Democrats will continue to shine a light on the true costs and the impact on our hardworking families.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2025
Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov
Rep. Barragán Attends Historic Inaugural Mass of First American Pope
14 bipartisan House Members were at the Vatican to celebrate the Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV
Vatican City — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) attended the historic Inaugural Mass of the first American Pope as a member of the official bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL). His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, is the first American in the history of the Catholic Church to have been elected to the papacy. The Inaugural Mass was held at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
“This was a deeply meaningful and joyous occasion for American Catholics and the over one billion Catholics around the world who look to the Church for spiritual guidance and leadership,” said Rep. Barragán. “It was truly special to be here—as a Catholic, a Member of Congress, and a representative of a district that is home to a large Catholic community — for the Inaugural Mass to celebrate the start of Pope Leo’s pontificate, our first American Pope. Our prayers are with Pope Leo as he guides the Church with faith, compassion, and a commitment to justice in the years ahead. May his leadership inspire unity, hope, and renewal within the Church and throughout the world.”
The Congressional Delegation, led by Rep. French Hill (R-AR), also includes Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Mike Kelly (D-AR), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Jeff Hurd (R-CO).
For photos and videos from the Inaugural Mass, click HERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2025
Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov
Rep. Barragán Sounds Alarm in Marathon Energy and Commerce Committee Markup Over Republican Plans to Take Health Care Away from Millions of Americans
Washington, D.C. – After a 26-hour markup this week, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced their piece of Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation plan — with no Democratic votes. The bill slashes $715 billion from Medicaid and other critical health care programs — combined with the provisions passed by the Ways & Means Committee this week and a proposed regulation from the Trump Administration, 13.7 million Americans now stand to lose their health care.
“This bill is nothing short of an assault on the health care of working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities,” said Rep. Barragán. “The Republican reconciliation bill, along with the actions of the Trump Administration and Republicans’ failure to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, will cause almost 14 million people to lose their health care. Republicans forced us to debate this bill in the dead of night, when they knew most Americans would not see their attempt to take health care away from millions of people. House Democrats will continue to fight this bill and make sure all Americans know that these painful cuts to essential services and programs are so that Republicans can give even larger tax breaks to their billionaire donors.”
Throughout the marathon markup, Rep. Barragán and Democratic Committee Members introduced amendments to reverse, blunt, or improve upon the harms of the bill, which Republicans, as a whole, rejected. This bill will now be combined with the Republican reconciliation bills that have passed out of other House committees for full House consideration.
The approved bill text includes harmful provisions that will:
Make it harder for people to enroll and keep their health coverage:
Burdensome new paperwork for Medicaid enrollees, designed to reduce access — not improve care.
Barriers to enrolling and renewing coverage for people on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Shortened enrollment period for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace coverage, reducing time to sign up.
Make it more expensive to access care:
New copays for Medicaid recipients.
New fees and documentation requirements for people seeking ACA subsidies.
Barriers to programs that help low-income seniors on both Medicare and Medicaid afford health care.
Decrease access to high-quality, affordable care for hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and at-home services:
Delays implementation of nursing home minimum staffing standards, putting elderly residents at risk.
Restricts states’ use of provider taxes, which support payments to health care providers and expansion of covered services.
Cuts federal Medicaid support for states that use their own funds to cover undocumented immigrants.
Beyond health care, the bill also includes sweeping attacks on environmental protections, clean energy investments, and telecommunications infrastructure:
Guts clean energy and environmental investments — including pollution reduction programs in schools and low-income communities.
Lets fossil fuel companies pay to bypass safeguards, including a $1 million fee to fast-track LNG exports and $10 million to expedite pipeline permitting.
Raises $88 billion through a spectrum auction and diverts those funds to tax cuts for billionaires, rather than investments in internet affordability and NextGen 911.
The legislation now moves to the House floor, where it will be considered as part of the broader Republican budget reconciliation package.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2025
Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov
Rep. Barragán Joins Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Attend Pope Leo XIV’s Mass for the Beginning of his Pontificate
14 bipartisan House Members will travel to the Vatican to celebrate the first American Pope
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) left this morning for Rome as part of the official Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to the Vatican to attend the Inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV is the first American ever elevated to the papacy — a historic milestone for the Catholic Church and American Catholics.
“I’m honored to join this congressional delegation to witness a historic moment for the Catholic Church,” said Rep. Barragán. “As a Catholic and someone who represents a diverse district with a large Catholic population, it is especially meaningful to be at the Vatican for the inauguration of the first American Pope. This is a moment of pride, reflection, and hope for millions of people who look to the Church for guidance, compassion, and moral clarity. My prayers are with Pope Leo as he begins this monumental duty and spiritual journey.”
The Inaugural Mass will take place on Sunday, May 18th at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The Congressional Delegation, led by Rep. French Hill (R-AR), also includes Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Mike Kelly (D-AR), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jeff Hurd (R-CO).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2025
Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov
Rep. Barragán Brings Guest from New Jersey Republican Congressman’s District to Demand Republicans Vote Against Cuts to Medicaid
Washington D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) brought a guest from Republican Congressman Tom Kean’s (R-NJ-07) district to speak out against the cruel Republican cuts to Medicaid in the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee’s mark-up on their portion of the partisan reconciliation bill. In her opening remarks, Congresswoman Barragán shared the story of Sasha, a young constituent from Rep. Kean’s district, who was born with cerebral palsy. Since birth, Sasha has experienced grand mal seizures and is a survivor of a perinatal stroke. Medicaid has helped Sasha access the care and support services she needs to survive — and thrive as a college student and Special Olympics athlete. Congresswoman Barragán shared Sasha’s story with Rep. Kean and asked him to oppose the Republicans’ proposed reconciliation bill that has at least $715 billion in cuts to Medicaid and health care. Rep. Kean, who also sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, has over 70,000 constituents in his district who currently rely on Medicaid, like Sasha.
During today’s E&C mark-up session, House Democrats will offer amendments to the House Republicans’ budget to protect Medicaid and highlight the harm of the Republican cuts. If Republicans refuse to support these amendments, their cuts to Medicaid and healthcare of at least $715 billion— the largest proposed cut to Medicaid in U.S. history — would kick at least 13.7 million Americans off their health insurance.
“House Republicans have the opportunity to make things right — so that the millions of Americans like Sasha who depend on Medicaid can continue to have access to the basic right of healthcare,” said Rep. Barragán. “Sasha, and the millions of Americans who see Medicaid as a lifeline, are real human beings whose lives will be devastated by these cuts, not just numbers on a page. House Democrats are committed to doing what House Republicans seem too afraid to do — listening to the stories of their constituents and amplifying them so that we can defeat these dangerous Medicaid cuts.”
“Thanks to Medicaid, I have been able to live an active and full life, going to college and even competing as a Special Olympics athlete. I’m speaking out because no one should have to fight this hard just to get the care they need to live. I ask that our Members of Congress remember that Medicaid provides essential support for millions of Americans across the country, and to please stand against any cuts to the program,” said Sasha, guest and constituent from Rep. Kean’s district.
To see Sasha’s original story submission, see here.
To tune into the livestream of the mark-up, click here.
LAREDO, Texas – Two members of the Tango Blast gang identified as Juan Miguel Regalado, 28, and Samuel Grajeda Jr., 21, were sentenced May 15 after being convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol’s Laredo Sector and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
U.S. District Judge John A. Kazen imposed a 66-month sentence for Regalado. Grajeda previously received a 30-month-term of imprisonment as well as a consecutive six months for violating his supervised release for a previous alien transporting conviction. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. As part of their guilty pleas, Nov. 12, 2024, both admitted to their involvement in the conspiracy
“These sentences reflect the serious consequences awaiting those who engage in human smuggling and endanger public safety,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Tango Blast gang members put countless lives at risk during these reckless pursuits. Through strong collaboration with our federal and state law enforcement partners, we remain committed to dismantling violent criminal organizations and protecting our communities.”
According to court documents, the investigation began April 20, 2024, when a group of suspected illegal aliens entered a green Tahoe in the Mines Road area. Regalado was driving and soon led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, during which multiple individuals jumped out of the vehicle. Regalado drove up to 100 miles per hour before driving the Tahoe into the Rio Grande River. Regalado then swam across to Mexico. Over the next several months, authorities continued to monitor the Mines Road area for other possible smuggling attempts. In November 2024, another group of illegal aliens entered a white Ford Taurus parked near Father McNaboe Park within the Mines Road area.
Authorities followed until a black Mercedes sedan cut them off. Grajeda and Regalado were the respective drivers. An attempted traffic stop of the Ford Taurus then led to another vehicle pursuit in which Grajeda crashed into an innocent bystander’s vehicle and continued to evade law enforcement. As it ended, law enforcement discovered four illegal aliens and the Ford Taurus abandoned in a north Laredo neighborhood.
Authorities then found Grajeda and Regalado within the vicinity of the abandoned vehicle and took them into custody.
Grajeda and Regalado remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined at in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Lopez from the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.