Latest news with #TonyGonzales
The Hill
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
‘Lone Star Lockup': Trump admin opens largest immigration detention center in US
(NewsNation) — As the federal government continues large-scale deportations of undocumented migrants, the Trump administration has opened what it calls the largest federal immigration detention center in the country's history. The facility, dubbed 'Lone Star Lockup,' opened Sunday in Fort Bliss, Texas, under a $1.2 billion Defense Department contract. The detention center holds 1,000 beds with a plan to expand to 5,000 beds by 2027. Inside are legal access areas, medical treatment areas and recreational space — amenities that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say make it like a 'traditional' facility. NYC student, 7, and family detained by ICE: 'Should be getting ready for school' Supporters of the detention center, like Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, say it will help ease overcrowding at other facilities and serve as a processing hub, sending migrants with final removal orders directly onto ICE air flights back to their home countries. 'Fort Bliss is an amazing military facility,' Gonzales said. 'Everything thrown their way, they've handled. We should be supporting this, not attacking it.' The project does have its critics, including U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas). 'That money will enrich private contractors,' Escobar said. 'Imagine what one billion could do for health care or law enforcement here in El Paso. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas called the opening of the facility a 'shameful' milestone in Trump's 'dystopian agenda.' 'People detained there will almost certainly have their basic rights violated while caged in tents under the brutal West Texas sun, with extreme heat that puts their lives at risk,' Savannah Kumar, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas, remarked of the opening. 'This is not just dangerous — it's cruel.' Last week, the El Paso County Commissioners Court also unanimously approved a resolution opposing the facility, Nexstar's KTSM reported. The measure calls for more transparency, including formal briefings from federal agencies and access for local officials and community advocates. Democrats allege abuse of women by ICE and ICE impersonators The new Fort Bliss facility joins Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' as the latest migrant detention facility to get pushback. Critics have alleged that facility suffers from flooding, unsanitary conditions, and even deaths. Officials insist no one has died there and deny reports of worms in food or sewage flooding, asserting that the facility meets federal detention standards. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already unveiled a second site he's nicknaming the 'Deportation Depot.' The facility is inside a former state prison and staffed in part by the Florida National Guard. It is expected to hold up to 2,000 detainees.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump Administration Ups The Pressure On Criminal Cartels
Mexico has handed over 26 high-ranking cartel members to the United States on Tuesday as part of a deal with the Trump administration to properly address the threat of criminal groups smuggling drugs over the border. Back in February, President Trump signed an executive order that designated six different cartels as a foreign terrorist organizations. Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) joins to discuss the situation at the border and Texas Democrats who've fled the state. Some college students are already getting settled into their dorm rooms to begin college while prospective students are awaiting their admissions letters. The future of college education may look different, as the growing challenges of getting accepted may stem from an increasingly saturated application environment. Jeff Selingo, author of Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions , joins the podcast to stress the importance of prioritizing the right fit over prestige and what factors prospective students should really consider when it comes to their higher education. Plus, commentary from the host of 'The Big Ben Show,' Ben Domenech. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP map would strip Fort Bliss, El Paso airport from US Rep. Veronica Escobar's District 16
Texas Republicans unveiled a proposed congressional map that would remove Fort Bliss and the El Paso International Airport from U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar's District 16. The map, released Wednesday morning, follows two rounds of hearings in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. Hundreds of Texans turn out to oppose the plan that is part of President Donald Trump's scheme to maintain Republican control over the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm election. Under the Republican plan, Fort Bliss and the airport would now fall under the representation of U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio. For Escobar, that spells disaster. 'Republicans, at the behest of Donald Trump, have engaged in a mid-decade redistricting that will impact federal representation for urban communities in Texas, including El Paso," Escobar, D-El Paso, said in a statement. "The current proposed map strips major parts of El Paso County, all of Fort Bliss, the El Paso International Airport (ELP), and the new Veterans Affairs Health Care Center (that I was able to secure $700 million in funding for) from having local representation." "Instead, they are moved to a district that spans from San Antonio to the Borderland, includes two other military installations, and holds the conflicting interests of 27 counties across Texas (forcing Fort Bliss, our airport, and VA Center to compete for limited and shrinking resources)," she continued. "This means our needs would be handed over to a representative who regularly votes against the interests of El Pasoans (who has voted to cut Medicare, Medicaid, veterans programs, nutrition programs, infrastructure funding, water and wastewater funding, and more), only briefly visits the district when time permits, and who prioritizes assets and needs of constituents who are closer to his home in San Antonio." Escobar noted that the proposed map is "nearly identical to the 2021 proposed map that El Pasoans successfully pushed back against, proving definitively that this fight isn't over." More: OPINION: Texas redistricting is an attack on our democracy and minority communities "We've been through this redistricting battle before and El Pasoans stood up to demand our community be represented by someone who lives here, not over 500 miles away," she said. "I'd encourage El Pasoans to stay engaged and informed, and participate in the hearing scheduled for Friday and make their voices heard.' The new congressional map would have to be presented to the Texas Senate and House of Representatives in the form of a bill over the next couple of weeks and then voted on in both chambers. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@ This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Proposed Texas GOP map moves Fort Bliss to San Antonio district Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
City leaders oppose GOP redistricting plan that splits El Paso's District 16
The El Paso City Council is urging the Texas Legislature to keep Texas Congressional District 16 intact. The City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for the legislature to keep Fort Bliss and the El Paso International Airport within U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar's, D-El Paso, congressional district during a special meeting Tuesday, August 5. At the behest of President Donald Trump, Texas Republicans are looking to redraw Texas congressional maps in a bid to retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm election. Under the current proposal, Fort Bliss and the El Paso International Airport would be shifted to Texas Congressional District 23, which is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio. West-Central city Rep. Josh Acevedo, who introduced the resolution alongside city Reps. Deanna Maldonado-Rocha and Ivan Niño slammed the Republican map as a "power grab." "This is going to really negatively impact El Paso," he said, "and I think that's where we should really be concerned." Multiple City Council members echoed Acevedo's assertion that the Republican proposal is little more than an attempt to retain undue power in the U.S. House of Representatives, including South-West city Rep. Chris Canales, saying the new map is "not about fair representation." More: Texas residents speak out on District 16 changes at Texas Senate hearing "It's purely about political control," he said. "We should be represented here by someone who lives here, by someone local. Republicans in the legislature are doing this mid-decade … because they see the numbers and they don't like the changing numbers they are seeing and they're afraid." "Instead of competing for our votes, they're trying to keep power (through) illegal maneuvering." Mayor Renard Johnson agreed. "This redistrict, it's wrong," Johnson said. "To move these critical assets that belong to El Paso and reassign them to 500 miles away is wrong for El Paso and our community. We deserve local representation for our airport and Fort Bliss." Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@ This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso City Council urges Texas to keep Fort Bliss in District 16 Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
10-08-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transcript: Rep. Tony Gonzales on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Aug. 10, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Republican Rep. Tony Gonzalez of Texas that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 10, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: We're gonna pick up that conversation with Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, who joins us now from San Antonio. Congressman, welcome back to 'Face The Nation.' You just heard Senator Kelly describe the frustration he experienced and the personal stories he witnessed in these ICE detention facilities. Given your oversight role, have you had similar concerns? REP. TONY GONZALES: Good morning, Margaret, and while I appreciate Senator Kelly's service, the part that he's getting wrong with ICE is for every sad story of someone being deported, there's 10 sad stories of Americans that have had their lives turned upside down because of the illegal immigration. And to be demonizing ICE agents is not right. Right now there- ICE agents are- have a 1,000% increase on attacks, yet they're seeing a huge increase in amount of people that want to serve. There's currently 10,000 vacancies, and they have nearly 100,000 applications. I do think there's a balance where we need to go after these convicted criminals, the worst of the worst, and be able to tackle some of that, but we should be encouraging the this- this enforcement of law, not the sanctuary cities that allow the lawlessness to take place. MARGARET BRENNAN: No. And I think the senator was talking about how it just wasn't working during the last administration, so he was not praising that past system, but in terms of how the current one is being operated, I know you had raised concern that those being mass deported were not necessarily the worst of the worst and violent offenders. I know that because you issued that letter to ICE and the data that came back showed that most of the convictions were for traffic or immigration offenses, not violent criminals. Less than 1% of the convictions of those deported were for homicide, only 1.2% were for sexual assault. So doesn't that speak, though, to what Senator Kelly was saying- which is, it's not the criminals, it's the grandmas? REP. GONZALES: Well, he's just telling the grandma story. He's not talking about, you know, how DHS rounded up pedophiles and some other violent actors in Los Angeles and throughout the country. So you have to tell all sides to it, but you hit it right on the head earlier when you said immigration is a very emotional conversation. And it's where we have to get it right. You have to separate those that may be in a- in a different situation than the worst of the worst. What I am encouraged to see- is I am encouraged that after we have passed the one big, beautiful bill and have given DHS $45 billion that there are now creating these task forces and going after very strategic operations that take out the pedophiles, the murderers. Numbers matter, but more specifically, who is being detained. Traffic violations don't excite me as much, and I don't think keep communities as safe as taking out, you know, murderers and convicted criminals that are danger to all- all communities. MARGARET BRENNAN: Do I hear you saying that this new money will now allow them to actually focus on violent offenders instead of just anyone they encounter who did, at one point, enter illegally? REP. GONZALES: Yes, and this is what I'm seeing- is I'm seeing a mix of the self-deportations. Secretary Noem has been very active. She's- essentially has traveled Central and South America, talking to a lot of heads of state, and a lot of folks are self-deporting back to these countries to the tune of hundreds of thousands. I think what that does, is that alleviates some of the stress on DHS, essentially to put numbers on the board and instead create these task forces to go after these bad actors. To me, that's the secret sauce. You create these task forces and get- get after the worst of the worst. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, we do see, though, in the courts that the Trump administration is trying to do away with limits on child detention. One of ICE's only family detention facilities is in your district in Texas, and you did vote for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill', and it includes a provision that allows families with children to be held indefinitely, which contradicts that long standing precedent of putting a 20 day limit on detaining children. Do you think that needs to be changed in future legislation? Should there be limits on detaining kids? REP. GONZALES: Possibly. I mean, the legislative piece is a much more long road. What I've seen under both the Biden administration and the Trump administration is that it's a delicate balance, right? How do you keep families together? How do you make sure that there- there is coordination to what to- what country they're going to but what we don't want to see is somebody indefinitely held without having due process. But what we do want to see, is after that due process is completed, that they're immediately removed in a humane environment. And you know, I visit- visit- visited these facilities under both administrations, and I've never had a problem with ICE facilities. They've always been allowed me to view everything I wanted. I've taken pictures. I've done videos, I've talked- I've spoken to people that were there, and I think that's the important part, our government needs to be transparent to what's happening. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we would love to take our cameras into some of those facilities. If you could help us do that, sir, because we don't have that access. And I know a number of those immigration advocates have- have said that they are frustrated they don't have more access now to share with the public what they're hearing. But now I do want to ask you about this Fort Bliss facility, an Army base that's partially in your district. I understand they're trying to turn it into a place with tents- soft sided tents to hold 1000 individuals under ICE custody. Doesn't blurring the lines between law enforcement and the military start to get us into uncomfortable territory? REP. GONZALES: It could. But let me- let me give you some of the details on that facility. In particular. One that- the soft side facility is located right next door to the current ICE facility in El Paso. So while it's on Fort Bliss, it really, in many cases, is managed by ICE. The other- some other details, there's already over 100,000 illegal aliens in that facility by the end of the week, I expect that number will raise up to over 1000 and then in the coming weeks, it will raise to several 1000. Now, the price tag, $1.2 billion. I'm a little concerned that the initial cost is 230 million that the Department of Defense is paying for. And so that's where I don't- Fort Bliss is the Swiss Army knife of the of the Army, they do a fantastic job of whatever mission gets sent their way. But I don't want to see Department of Defense get stuck with the bill, if you will. This is where the details matter. We just passed this $45 billion for- for- for- border security. I'm hoping some of those funds reimburse Department of Defense for their efforts. MARGARET BRENNAN: But the mixing of military and law enforcement, that part- besides the accounting, doesn't that make you uncomfortable? REP. GONZALES: Yeah, it- it does- well, you have to get it right. You know if it's on base, and you know if there's collaboration. The fact is, it makes it a streamlined process because of how close it is to the airfield- Briggs Airfield, so that, in turn, makes a safety issue and it makes it just a cleaner effort. So there's a balance there. But I don't want it long term. I don't want to see soldiers operating in space. I don't think they want to be doing that, but the fact that they're in there now- it's a seamless transition right now. MARGARET BRENNAN: All right. Tony Gonzales. Congressman, appreciate your time. We'll be right back.
