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.

Central America

U.S. extradites Iranian man over alleged sanctions evasion scheme

The United States has extradited from Panama an Iranian national accused of evading economic sanctions against Iran by illegally exporting U.S. technology. He is scheduled to appear this Monday before a court in Seattle.

Reza Dindar, 44, was extradited on April 17 after being detained in Panama since July 2025 on charges related to export control violations between 2011 and 2012, allegedly carried out through companies based in China.

The defendant appeared before a U.S. district court in Seattle, where he faces charges of violating sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran in 1995 during the administration of Bill Clinton. These sanctions prohibit the unauthorized export, re-export, or supply—directly or indirectly—of U.S. goods, technology, or services to Iran or its government.

According to the indictment, between 2010 and 2014, Dindar led the company New Port Sourcing Solutions in Xi’an, China, which allegedly concealed the procurement of U.S. products for shipment to clients in Iran.

International

Elon Musk skips French court appearance over X investigation

Billionaire Elon Musk did not appear this Monday before French authorities, who had summoned him for a voluntary statement as part of an investigation into his social media platform X, prosecutors told AFP.

The platform has been under investigation since early 2025 following complaints from lawmakers alleging bias in its algorithms, which may have altered its functioning and interfered in politics in France.

The probe has since expanded to include other alleged offenses, such as complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as the role of Grok in spreading denialist content and sexually explicit fake images.

In early February, investigators raided X’s offices in Paris. The company has denied any wrongdoing, describing the searches as “political” and “abusive.”

At that time, the Paris prosecutor’s office summoned Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino to provide voluntary testimony as those responsible for the platform during the period under investigation.

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Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau also stated that X employees were called to testify as witnesses between April 20 and April 24.

International

Four injured in shooting at Teotihuacán archaeological site in Mexico

Four more people were injured by gunfire during the ആക്രമ attack at Teotihuacán, one of the most emblematic archaeological complexes in Mexico, authorities confirmed.

The Secretary of Security of the State of Mexico, Cristóbal Castañeda, reported that the victims include two Colombian nationals, one Russian, and one Canadian. Additionally, two other individuals were injured due to falls, according to a statement from local authorities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed concern over the incident, stating on social media that “what happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us.”

Federal authorities recovered a firearm, a knife, and ammunition at the scene, which remains under the protection of state police and the Guardia Nacional, according to the federal Security Cabinet.

Located about 50 kilometers from Mexico City, Teotihuacán is a major tourist destination frequently visited by both domestic and international travelers.