International

Keys to the anti-immigrant law of Texas and states that follow its example

The Texas SB-4 law, considered one of the most drastic anti-immigrant measures in the history of the United States along with the SB-1070 of Arizona of 2010, has raised the tension in the border area of the United States and Mexico and has inspired other states of Republican governments to follow in its footsteps.

In the midst of the complicated legal battle between the state and federal governments, which prevented this measure from entering into force on March 5, uncertainty grows among undocumented immigrants, and also legal immigrants, because it lends itself to racial discrimination.

The measure, promoted by the governor of Texas, Republican Greg Abbott, makes it a misdemeanor that a foreigner “enters or attempts to enter the state from a foreign nation” irregularly. The detained migrant will be accused of a misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to six months in prison.

If the offender is a repeat offender, the offense becomes a serious crime, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The law allows the state Justice (different from immigration judges) to order the expulsion of the foreigner without legal process. A judge could withdraw the charges if the migrant agrees to return to Mexico.

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SB-4 also prohibits any local policy that restricts police officers from questioning a person’s immigration status, even during routine arrests such as at traffic stops, which are promoted in the so-called “immigrant sanctuaries.”

The measure requires local authorities to allocate resources such as prison space, agents and funds to implement the law.

The initiative prohibits the police from arresting immigrants in public or private schools, churches and other places of worship, and medical centers. However, it does not mention university campuses.

-Iowa: The House of Representatives of that state approved a bill on Tuesday. It would allow the police to arrest certain undocumented immigrants and order them to leave the country.

Undocumented immigrants could face up to two years in prison if they enter, attempt to enter or are found in Iowa, after they were denied entry to the United States or had been deported.

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The measure is addressed to the desk of Governor Kim Reynolds, who has given her support to the legislation.

– New Hampshire: The Senate of that state approved at the beginning of the month a bill that allows the police to file charges of invasion of private property against people suspected of having illegally entered the United States from Canada. The initiative is currently being discussed in the House of Representatives of that state.

– Tennessee: Last Friday, lawmakers from the Lower House of Tennessee approved a bill that requires police officers to report to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that they have come across an undocumented person.

– Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and North Carolina: The legislatures of these states have approved or are discussing bills similar to Texan law. They impose harsh sanctions on the undocumented under the argument that they must act to contain the arrival of migrants.

– Arizona: The governor of that state, Democrat Katie Hobbs, has a measure on her table, dubbed the Arizona Invasion Law. It would criminalize immigrants by authorizing police departments to arrest and arrest foreigners who cross the border illegally.

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This project, promoted by the Republicans and expected to veto Hobbs, would also grant immunity to the police and their departments from any legal action against them due to possible incidents that occurred while the law is being applied.

International

Japan reopens Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant despite public concerns

La centrale nucléaire japonaise de Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, la plus grande au monde, a repris ses activités mercredi pour la première fois depuis la catastrophe de Fukushima en 2011, malgré les inquiétudes persistantes d’une partie de la population.

La remise en service a eu lieu à 19h02 heure locale (10h02 GMT), a indiqué à l’AFP Tatsuya Matoba, porte-parole de la compagnie Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco).

Le gouverneur de la préfecture de Niigata, où se situe la centrale, avait donné son feu vert à la reprise le mois dernier, en dépit d’une opinion publique divisée. Selon une enquête menée en septembre par la préfecture elle-même, 60 % des habitants se déclaraient opposés au redémarrage, contre 37 % favorables.

Mardi, plusieurs dizaines de manifestants ont bravé le froid et la neige pour protester près de l’entrée du site, sur les rives de la mer du Japon.

« L’électricité de Tokyo est produite à Kashiwazaki. Pourquoi seuls les habitants d’ici devraient-ils être exposés au danger ? Cela n’a aucun sens », a déclaré à l’AFP Yumiko Abe, une riveraine de 73 ans.

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La centrale de Kashiwazaki-Kariwa avait été mise à l’arrêt lorsque le Japon a fermé l’ensemble de ses réacteurs nucléaires à la suite du triple désastre de mars 2011 — un séisme, un tsunami et un accident nucléaire — survenu à Fukushima.

International

Markets rise as Trump halts Europe tariffs and floats Greenland agreement framework

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday lifted his threat to impose new tariffs on several European countries and said he had outlined the framework of a future agreement on Greenland during a meeting in Davos with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“Based on this understanding, I will not impose the tariffs that were scheduled to take effect on February 1,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, without providing details about the proposed “framework.”

The announcement boosted financial markets. Wall Street, which had been trading slightly higher, extended its gains following Trump’s message, while the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that Greenland, rich in mineral resources, is ‘vital’ to the security of the United States and NATO, particularly as Arctic ice melts and global powers compete for strategic advantage in the region amid rising tensions with China and Russia.

Last week, the U.S. president threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries for supporting Denmark and sending a military exploratory mission to Greenland. All of the targeted countries are NATO members, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, Europe’s largest economies.

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Trump said on Wednesday that additional discussions are underway regarding the “Golden Dome” missile defense system, specifically in connection with Greenland.

He assigned Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations.

Hours before his post, Trump ruled out the use of force to seize Greenland for the first time, but demanded “immediate negotiations” for its acquisition, reiterating his view that only the United States can guarantee the security of the Arctic island.

International

Venezuela’s interim president predicts 37% increase in revenues for 2026

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, said Wednesday that the country’s revenues are expected to increase by about 37% in 2026, in a statement made during a session of the Federal Government Council at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.

Rodríguez said the projected rise in foreign currency income comes as agreements on Venezuelan oil sales with the United States are being implemented, including deals in which Washington will trade Venezuelan crude and manage the proceeds before transferring funds to Caracas.

“This year, revenues expressed in foreign currency will increase by 37%,” Rodríguez declared, according to EFE. She noted that the increase will also benefit regional governments and local authorities. “You will have more resources for your management, which I know you need,” she added.

Rodríguez said the distribution formula for revenues will remain the same as in 2025: 53% for communes, 29% for state governments, 15% for municipalities, and 3% for institutional strengthening. She also said the government would intervene to “correct imbalances” in how funds are allocated, particularly among some municipal and regional authorities.

The announcement follows reporting that Venezuela received at least $300 million from oil revenues tied to a U.S.–Venezuela deal that could involve up to 50 million barrels of crude. Washington officials have said the interim government met U.S. requirements under the agreement.