News of the Trump Administration allowing contracts with legal council for minors in detention to expire is having an impact. As a child advocate volunteer with the Young Center, now is a critical time to fight for their due process rights. Volunteer or donate: www.theyoungcenter.org

Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights | Child Advocacy

The Young Center advocates for unaccompanied immigrant children in legal proceedings. Volunteer as a Child Advocate or donate to support our mission.

theyoungcenter.org

Here's my latest co-authored publication (first with my spouse!) titled, “The Irrepressible/Irresponsible Trap: Justifying Migrant Deaths at the México-U.S. Border from “Prevention Through Deterrence” to “Operation Lone Star”” appearing in Latino Studies. doi.org/10.1057/s412...

The Irrepressible/Irresponsible Trap: Justifying Migrant Deaths at the México-U.S. Border from “Prevention Through Deterrence” to “Operation Lone Star” - Latino Studies

Operation Lone Star (OLS), a state-level effort to fortify the México-U.S. border in Texas, marked an escalation in the U.S. “Prevention Through Deterrence” (PTD) policy. How have politicians and government officials justified the escalation of immigration enforcement tactics despite the futility and lethality of these tools? Our theoretical approach relies on Beltrán’s (2020) critical exploration of migrant cruelty to understand how migrant deaths are embedded in practices of Latinx racialization and the productive quality of punishment (Valdez, 2016). This study offers a critical analysis of government documents, news coverage, and official statements concerning migrant deaths to trace the evolution of PTD over the course of 30 years. We find that PTD’s transformation from the weaponization of nature to its increasing reliance on violent technologies and tactics has been facilitated by the rise of what we call the “irrepressible/irresponsible” trap that blames migrants in their life and in their death.

doi.org

My latest article was published online a few months ago, but readers can now enjoy the entire special issue of @ps_polisci that honors the 30th Anniversary of Paula McClain's "Can We All Get Along?" and her amazing career. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

My outfit for summer teaching tomorrow

I had the pleasure of speaking to NPR's Robin Young of Here & Now about the results of the Texas primary run-off. We talk about the meaning of Cornyn's defeat for the Texas GOP, the role of Latino voters, Paxton's baggage, and James Talarico's chances this November. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...

Paxton won Texas Senate primary, but Democrats think they can win in November

Longtime Sen. John Cornyn lost to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday.

wbur.org

So honored to have received the Early Career Award from the Latina/o Caucus of the Midwest Political Science Association.

That’s quite a chart www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Must watch video www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/o...

Opinion | White Drivers Got a Warning. Latino Drivers Got Detained.

nytimes.com

Wow, folks… Just “Wow” Final stage of the scientific process: bury inconvenient results…

Apoorva Mandavilli@apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 4mo ago

The acting head of the CDC has canceled the publication of a study that found that the Covid vaccine sharply cut the odds of hospitalizations and emergency visits last winter www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/u...

I spoke with the Texas Tribune about democratic congressional candidate Bobby Pulido's appearances at quinceañeras across the district. The article highlights how Mexican American culture remains a powerful tool to drive political interest in south Texas. www.texastribune.org/2026/04/09/b...

Bobby Pulido brings congressional campaign to quinceañeras

Since GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz said the race “isn’t about who you want performing at your niece’s quinceañera,” the Democrat has played at a dozen such events in the 15th Congressional District.

texastribune.org

Dra. Bolivar flying out of McAllen to join her husband in CA for a hearing about their asylum case was detained at airport. “Second Venezuelan Doctor Detained in South Texas by Immigration Agents” www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/u...

Second Venezuelan Doctor Detained in South Texas by Immigration Agents

nytimes.com

No, bad auto-correct! I'm trying to write "compa" not "compartment"! 🤦‍♂️ STOP KILLING MY BILINGUAL VIBE A.I.!!!

Today I was a guest on NPR’s On Point for an episode discussing the current state of the Texas Senate race. I shared my insights on the shifting politics of the Rio Grande Valley and the roll of south Texas voters in the state’s political landscape. www.wbur.org/onpoint/2026...

Could this finally be the year for Texas Democrats?

It’s been more than thirty years since a Democrat won state-wide in Texas. But some think a voter backlash against President Trump’s policies could end that drought and that Democratic nominee for Sen...

wbur.org

"My dad doesn't have a criminal background, so it was hard to see him super skinny too; he's lacking nutrients. I didn't recognize him," Ruiz Hidalgo said. www.krgv.com/news/mcallen...

McAllen family seeking answers for father in ICE custody despite judge's ruling

A McAllen family is seeking answers after Guillermo Avalos Ruiz remains in ICE custody at the Port Isabel Detention Center, despite an immigration judge terminating his removal proceedings. The family...

krgv.com

Conspicuously absent as a signatory on an amicus brief in the SCOTUS birthright citizenship case: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) As his constituent, I'm curious as to why he abstained when so many of his other TX Democratic colleagues added their names. www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25...

Great op-ed! Please read!

Efrén Pérez@efrenpolipsy.bsky.social · 5mo ago

My op-ed on our faltering democracy and how Latinos can help revitalize it latinonewsnetwork.com/community/tr...

Such needless cruelty. A tag line for nearly everything this administration does in immigration. These people have been vetted numerous times as these are renewals.

Chicago Tribune@chicagotribune.com · 5mo ago

Advocates say delays in paperwork renewal by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have increased, with some delays stretching up to six months. Without the renewal, DACA recipients are in danger of being placed in deportation proceedings.

My workout routine is called “Pool Whiteboard Roulette” Rules are simple: do whatever’s written on the board that day. Is it for the college team, high-schoolers, 8 year-olds? Who knows! Just crush it #justdewit #dewthedew #bajablast

Happy to have this book about Chicana/o Movement in my hands! Years ago I wrote two entries: the La Raza Unida Party and Willie Velasquez's Southwest Voter Registration & Education Project. Get your copy and encourage your university libraries to purchase a copy. www.bloomsbury.com/us/chicana-a...

What Are ICE Agents Allowed to Do on College Campuses? www.nytimes.com/2026/02/27/n...

What Are ICE Agents Allowed to Do on College Campuses?

nytimes.com

Jesse Jackson transformed the study of Black politics. Beyond his legacy as a civil rights leader, Jackson inspired empirical research on Black opinion and political behavior. Read about his legacy from @brownphdgirl.bsky.social and @cmslaughter.bsky.social: goodauthority.org/news/jesse-j...

Jesse Jackson transformed the study of Black politics

Jesse Jackson transformed the study of Black politics. Beyond his legacy as a civil rights leader, Jackson inspired empirical research on Black opinion and political behavior.

goodauthority.org

UTRGV political science major with the niche vintage shirt 🤙🏼

Sharing my new pub! :)

PS: Political Science & Politics@pspolisci.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Where do Latinxs stand on racial injustice and do they acknowledge shared oppression? This work underscores both the challenges and opportunities of a Latinx-Black political coalition. Check it out: doi.org/10.1017/S104... #polisky

I’m pleased to announce the publication of my article in PS: Political Science & Politics @pspolisci.bsky.social @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org, “From Commonality to Unity: The Opportunities and Challenges of Latinxs’ Cross-racial Alliances with Blacks” 1/7 doi.org/10.1017/S104...

I'll be posting a thread about this soon, but in the meantime...

Cambridge University Press Political Science & IR@cambup-polsci.cambridge.org · 6mo ago

#OpenAccess from @pspolisci.bsky.social - From Commonality to Unity: The Opportunities and Challenges of Latinxs’ Cross-racial Alliances with Blacks - https://cup.org/4qYQVHV - Álvaro José Corral (University of Texas–Rio Grande) #FirstView

Greatest day of the year: today, when Girl Scout cookies girl comes to my dog park 💸🍪

Thank you to the brave souls (average citizens) who continue to peacefully document everything to hold a rogue agency accountable in Minneapolis. They’re literally risking their lives to ensure basic transparency of our government.

The Atlantic@theatlantic.com · 6mo ago

Minneapolis residents are risking their lives so that the world can see what is actually happening to their city, Charlie Warzel reports.

Scary prospect…

The Atlantic@theatlantic.com · 6mo ago

The Trump administration says it has signed up 12,000 new ICE officers, agents, and legal staff—but many of them may not be deployed for months, @nickmiroff.bsky.social reports.

Please help us bring Liam Adrian Cornejo Ramos (he’s only 5 years of age and is currently in pre-K. Yesterday, he and his father were kidnapped by ICE. This will help the family with legal services to help reunite Liam and his dad with their family. gofund.me/be8a1b2ab

Donate to Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home, organized by sarai Orquiz

Liam Adrian Cornejo Ramos is just 5 years old and currently in pre-K. Yesterday, he and h… sarai Orquiz needs your support for Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home

gofund.me

The case of 5 y.o. Liam Conejo Ramos’s detention and apprehension of his parents should give us all pause. Please donate to his Go Fund Me. I’ll share soon.

HuffPost@huffpost.com · 7mo ago

Photos show Liam Conejo Ramos wearing a blue hat with bunny ears and carrying a Spider-Man backpack as he's led to an SUV in the snow.