Fronteras Desk News

Explosion In Mexico Sparks Concerns
The death toll from Friday’s pipeline explosion in Mexico has risen to almost 100, while dozens are still injured. Most of the victims were stealing gas from a leak before the explosion, sparking a debate on who’s to blame for the incident.
Jan. 22, 2019
Medicaid Decision Sets Precedent For Indian Country
Arizona has become the only state in the country where Native Americans are allowed Medicaid benefits without fulfilling work requirements. At the same time, 120,000 non-native state residents must comply. The announcement came Friday from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Jan. 22, 2019
Native American Union Sues Federal Government
A group of federal employees that serve tribal programs is suing the federal government because they are working without pay during the partial shutdown.
Jan. 22, 2019
Governors Budget Includes Cold Inspection Facility
Gov. Doug Ducey included funding for a new cold inspection facility at the Nogales commercial port of entry in his state budget plan. That could extend the state’s produce import season.
Jan. 21, 2019
Nearly 400 Migrants Detained Near Yuma
Nearly 400 migrants tunneled under the border fence and turned themselves in to Border Patrol agents near Yuma last week.
Jan. 21, 2019
Grand Canyon Maintenance Load Lightened
A non profit associated with Grand Canyon National Park has just received half a million dollars to restore the park’s most famous trail. The grant will help alleviate some of the burden caused by the mounting maintenance backlog at the park.
Jan. 21, 2019
Shutdown Causes Native American Health Clinics To Close
The federal Indian Health Service has no appropriations for the current fiscal year. The House passed a measure to fund the program at $4 billion but the bill awaits Senate consideration. As the government shutdown lingers, many clinics that rely on these funds are hurting and a few have even closed their doors.
Jan. 18, 2019
As A Caravan Reaches Its Border, Mexico Mulls Plan
As a new caravan of migrants makes its way from Central America to the U.S., leaders in Mexico say they want to address the reasons thousands continue to flee their homes. Mexico is caught between the harsh realities that are pushing people out of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala — and the divisive politics of immigration in the U.S.
Jan. 18, 2019
Number Of Separated Immigrant Kids  Is Unknown
An independent federal watchdog says it doesn’t know how many undocumented migrant children have been separated from their parents by immigration authorities.
Jan. 17, 2019
Honduran Transgender Asylum Winner Builds New Life In Arizona
A Central American transgender woman won asylum last year and has settled in Arizona. When her lawyer met her in a New Mexico detention center, he says the trauma that led her to flee Honduras was still fresh.
More Stories From The Fronteras Desk
Jan. 17, 2019
Mexicos War On Gas Theft Sparks Shortages
Many states in Mexico, including its capital, have experienced severe fuel shortages for days. The Mexican administration says it’s the result of temporarily closing gas pipelines to stop illegal fuel taps. But many are skeptical.
Jan. 16, 2019
9 Aid Workers Go To Trial In Border Case
About 50 people gathered outside the federal courthouse in Tucson on Tuesday morning ahead of the complicated trial. Nine defendants are charged with everything from entering a wildlife refuge without a permit to abandoning "personal property."
Jan. 15, 2019
New Navajo President Faces Big Economic Challenges
Jonathan Nez was sworn in Tuesday as the new president of the country’s largest Native American reservation.
Jan. 15, 2019
Sonoran Mayor Arrested On Passport Fraud Charges
The mayor of a small Sonoran town was arrested last month for allegedly lying to obtain a U.S. passport. He’s from the left-leaning party Morena, which was swept to power nationwide in July on promises of countering corruption.
Jan. 15, 2019
Southwest Key Wants Freeze On AZ Admissions Lifted
Southwest Key Programs has asked state health officials to start inspections of the shelter operator’s Arizona facilities. The move is a key step toward lifting a months-long, statewide freeze on placements of unaccompanied undocumented immigrant children at Southwest Key shelters.
Jan. 15, 2019
 First Cruise Planned From Rocky Point
The governor of neighboring Sonora, Mexico announced Monday that the first cruise ship will set sail from Rocky Point at the end of the year.
Jan. 14, 2019
Sonoran Carne Asada To Be Featured On Netflix
From street corner taquerías to well-known restaurants, some of Sonora’s best carne asada tacos are getting their moment in the limelight as part of a new Netflix show called “The Taco Chronicles.”
Jan. 14, 2019
AZ Federal Workers Brace For No Paychecks As Shutdown Continues
Under normal circumstances, Friday would be payday for many federal employees. But those who have been furloughed due to the partial government shutdown won’t be getting a check yet. And for Arizonans — both in rural and in urban areas — that won’t be easy to manage.
Partial Government Shutdown Harming Navajo Nation
Jan. 11, 2019
Sea Shepherd Ship Attacked By Suspected Poachers
An activist ship that patrol’s Mexico’s Sea of Cortez to protect an endangered porpoise was attacked by alleged poachers Wednesday as tensions escalate just south of the border.
Jan. 10, 2019
Legislation Targets Produce Imported From Mexico
Every year billions of pounds of fresh produce cross the border from Mexico into the United States. Now, legislators in Florida are proposing a bill they say would protect U.S. produce growers from unfair Mexican trade practices. But opponents of the legislation say it would be bad for consumers.
Jan. 9, 2019

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