The initiative leverages federal resources and sentencing laws to secure more meaningful penalties, bring justice to victims and ultimately promote a greater sense of safety within the community. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
HOUSTON – A new Southern District of Texas initiative has resulted in the return of four separate indictments against Houston-area men for kidnapping women while working as rideshare drivers.
Four drivers are charged with kidnapping in program’s initial rollout. The charges are the result of Operation Lighthouse, a Southern District of Texas initiative to combat sexual abuse involving ridesharing applications. The initiative leverages federal resources and sentencing laws to secure more meaningful penalties, bring justice to victims and ultimately promote a greater sense of safety within the community.
“Rideshare drivers who exploit the trust of their passengers will face the full force of law in the Southern District of Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Ganjei. “Operation Lighthouse is sending an unmistakably clear message–if you abuse your position to hurt others, we will find you, we will arrest you, we will prosecute you. Every passenger deserves to arrive at their destination safely; my office will fight to make that happen.”
“Cesar Martell, Barney Steve Flores, Janaka Manatunga, and Abdou Mbacke allegedly disguised themselves as trusted rideshare drivers to commit some of the most traumatic and violent crimes against female passengers,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Today’s arrests are due in large part to the bravery of the victims who reported their kidnappings and sexual assaults to law enforcement. We encourage other potential victims of these men, or any other predators posing as rideshare drivers, to come forward and report it to the FBI.”
According to the indictments returned Dec. 16, 2025, Martell, Manatunga, Flores and Mbacke are charged with kidnapping victims and exploiting them for the purpose of sexual gratification. The charges also allege the defendants either drove their victims to locations other than what they had requested or prevented them from leaving the drivers’ vehicles.
In the case of Cesar Martell, he is alleged to have committed two separate sexual assaults while employed as a rideshare driver. Martell allegedly strangled his victims either before or during the sexual assaults.
Court records indicate all four men previously worked for a rideshare company over multiple years. However, the company allegedly terminated their accounts following victim reports. Some of the defendants are also facing state charges.
If convicted, each faces up to life in prison as well as a $250,000 maximum possible fine.
If you believe you are a victim of a similar sexual assault involving any rideshare service or if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Mbacke, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law
The McAllen Fire Department and the McAllen Emergency Management Department played vital roles in the planning and execution of the operation. Image courtesy of The City of McAllen
Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — The Hidalgo County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) successfully conducted a full‑scale Hazardous Materials (HazMat) exercise, bringing together key regional partners to strengthen preparedness and emergency response capabilities. The McAllen Fire Department and the McAllen Emergency Management Department played vital roles in the planning and execution of the operation.
See the galley below for more images of the exercise: All images courtesy of The City of McAllen
The exercise simulated a complex hazardous materials incident, requiring participating agencies to coordinate decision-making, resource deployment, and public safety strategies in real time. Responders practiced identifying hazards, communicating across disciplines, and implementing protective actions designed to safeguard residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Full‑scale regional exercises are a key component of improving overall readiness, enhancing communication, and identifying areas for continued improvement. By testing capabilities in a realistic, scenario‑based environment, local agencies reinforce their ability to respond quickly and effectively to protect the community.
Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez raises the City of Pharr’s ceremonial key above his head as a large screen behind him reads “State of the City Address,” marking the conclusion of a planned, light-hearted moment during the 2026 State of the City event in which the key was theatrically “lost” and recovered to engage the audience. Image by Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
The City of Pharr celebrated a decade of transformation at its 2026 State of the City address, where Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez described the community as “bold, breaking barriers” and outlined continued plans for progress. The annual event, hosted by Adrian Vila, opened with a presentation of colors, the national anthem, and an invocation, followed by videos showcasing Pharr’s partnerships, achievements, and residents.
Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez stands with First Lady Cristina Hernandez at the conclusion of the 2026 State of the City address, sharing a moment of appreciation with attendees after the mayor outlined the city’s achievements and future plans. Image by Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Mayor Hernandez delivered a keynote using a James Bond theme, saying his administration’s mission was to fight “villains” such as complacency and lack of vision. “Complacency, lack of leadership, lack of vision, and lack of morale, and settling for less than the best — that is not how we do things here at Pharr,” he said. “Here in Pharr, we’re your very own 007s, fighting for a better life for you.”
Financially, the city reported a strong position. Pharr approved a balanced $290 million budget with a surplus exceeding $11 million and set aside $10 million in reserves. Hernandez said the city’s finances reflected careful management and “strong financial stability.”
A centerpiece of the mayor’s address was Pharr Connect, the city’s broadband utility. It now serves more than half of local homes and has begun connecting businesses. The program’s success has helped launch “Pharr Connect U,” a tuition-free broadband workforce training school funded by a $4.8 million state grant. The initiative will train residents to become fiber-optic technicians in the digital infrastructure sector.
Education remains a cornerstone of Pharr’s growth strategy. The city donated $1 million to help establish the PossAble Dream Adult High School, the first tuition-free adult high school of its kind in South Texas, and partnered with RGV College to celebrate its 100th vocational nursing cohort. “Providing education opportunities beyond Pharr continues to be our priority,” the mayor said, calling education “the true foundation of our economy.”
Public safety results were also a highlight. Pharr’s crime rate dropped by 22.2 percent, and its emergency medical services expanded to provide 911 coverage for the neighboring city of San Juan. The Pharr Police Department’s Mental Health Unit earned the 2025 Martha Arbuckle Award from the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, the only law enforcement agency in the state to receive the honor.
Economic development was another key theme. The city celebrated the grand opening of the Rio Grande Valley’s first IKEA store, a $4.5 million project that created over 40 jobs, and broke ground on a new SRS Distribution Center with a similar investment. “We are constantly looking for new and better ways forward,” Hernandez said, noting that such projects support a growing retail and logistics economy.
The mayor also announced several future infrastructure projects, including a renovation of the golf clubhouse, installation of five artificial-turf sports fields, major improvements at Jones Box Park, and a new “state-of-the-art, multi-use facility.” Hernandez said these projects reflect investment “in the families who call Pharr home.”
Over the past decade, Pharr has secured more than $100 million in grants from federal, state, and foundation sources. In the last year alone, the city received over $8 million for broadband training, tree-canopy expansion, public safety, and health initiatives. “That’s free money to Pharr and a great investment,” the mayor said.
The event concluded with awards recognizing outstanding service. Evelyn Cano received the Polo Palacios Service Award for her advocacy through the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV. The same organization was honored with the first “Heart of Our Community Award.” The Finance Department earned the Department of the Year for managing the city’s budget and maintaining its surplus.
Looking ahead, Hernandez said Pharr will continue to innovate while staying true to its roots. “So, as I stand before you today, I am proud to announce that the state of the city of Pharr continues to be bold, breaking barriers, and we’re just getting started,” he said.
These new detections raise the total number of confirmed cases in Tamaulipas since December 30, 2025, to eleven. Screwworm Image source: USDA.gov. Bgd for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today alerted Texas livestock producers following confirmation from Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Public Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) of eight new cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in the state of Tamaulipas, which borders Texas. These new detections raise the total number of confirmed cases in Tamaulipas since December 30, 2025, to eleven.
“It’s just plain cowboy logic—when you’re seeing this many cases, this fast, it tells you there may be established screwworm fly populations in Tamaulipas,” Commissioner Miller said. “We’re grateful sterile fly deployment has begun, but make no mistake: Texas producers need to stay on high alert along our border.”
The Texas Department of Agriculture has not received confirmation that the affected animals reported by SENASICA have a history of movement outside Tamaulipas, raising concerns that the pest may now be spreading naturally rather than being introduced through animal movement. TDA continues to work closely with USDA and animal health partners and urges Texas producers, especially those along the border, to take preventive action now.
“Producers should be checking livestock every day and treating any wound as a potential entry point,” Commissioner Miller said. “Pay close attention to navels on young animals, isolate anything suspicious, and report concerns without delay. Early detection and aggressive surveillance are how we protect Texas livestock.”
Courtesy image
ExpandedTDA Surveillance and Trapping Efforts
TDA has activated a comprehensive NWS trapping plan to bolster early detection across high-risk areas along the Texas–Mexico border. The effort includes strategic trap placement at:
Ports of entry
Livestock export facilities
Other locations where pest introduction or livestock movement risk is highest
TDA inspectors monitor traps regularly, with samples rapidly assessed in partnership with federal agencies to ensure fast identification and response.
“TDA is on the ground every day with its own surveillance traps, working in lockstep with USDA and our state partners to keep a sharp eye on the border,” Commissioner Miller said. “If it gets here, we will know. Now, Texas producers must stay informed and vigilant. With preparation and rapid action, we will stop the screwworm. Texas agriculture will win this fight.”
For more information on New World screwworm and how to report suspected cases, visit www.screwworm.gov.
With 90% of its business tied to its southern neighbor and about to turn 90 years old, the Texas seaport is accelerating its transformation in the face of the uncertainty of the USMCA and the challenges at the border. Image courtesy of The Port of Brownsville
Texas Border Business
The Port of Brownsville
Economic integration between Mexico and the United States isn’t limited to trade agreements or annual trade figures; it’s a daily reality along the border, where thousands of industries depend on a constant and precise flow of goods. Within this complex network, the Port of Brownsville — in southeast Texas — has become a strategic hub for northeastern Mexico, a point where manufacturing, logistics, and trade converge. For companies in Monterrey, Saltillo, Reynosa, and Matamoros, the Port of Brownsville isn’t just a destination, but an operational extension of their supply chains, a corridor that accelerates processes, reduces costs, and ensures regional competitiveness. This is no coincidence: nearly 90% of the port’s business is directly linked to Mexico, confirming the depth of this interdependence.
This deep integration, stronger than any political tension, is the focus of the conversation with William Dietrich, General Manager of the Port of Brownsville, and Ervey González, Business Development and Economic Development Associate. In an interview with T21, both emphasize that the binational ecosystem operates with an interdependent logic that cannot be halted by short-term debates. “We are a region, a highly integrated economy,” González states, underscoring that the production cycle between Brownsville and Mexico is a living example of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): raw materials arrive at the port, are processed in Mexico, and return as finished goods to the United States or Canada.
Dietrich adds a dimension that rarely appears in federal discussions: the border as a shared community. “We don’t see Mexico as another country. For us, it’s part of our community,” he says. What for many is a dividing line, for the inhabitants of this region is a continuous territory where social life and economic activity intertwine. This reality explains why the seaport operates as a binational agent, and why any political clash immediately impacts logistical efficiency.
Slower border, growing risk
Despite this, Dietrich acknowledges that the relationship between Mexico and the United States is going through a period of stagnation. His concern points to a greater risk: that Asia will capitalize on these uncertainties and move forward in attracting investments that could otherwise be consolidated in North America. “The world is in an economic war, and if Asia comes to build its factories here, that money won’t go to our people,” he states. For him, the region has already demonstrated that cooperation works; what is lacking is ensuring that political decisions don’t disrupt this balance.
One of the areas where these tensions are most evident is at border crossings. Delays and duplicated processes generate losses in the millions and disrupt just-in-time operations. “These delays in supply chains are very costly,” González points out. For this reason, both insist on reviving the joint customs model, which has already worked on this border and is currently operating in other locations with positive results. “The door is open, but we have to move faster,” Dietrich emphasizes, noting that border efficiency is key to preventing the region from losing global competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Port of Brownsville is moving forward with projects aimed at expanding its capacity and attracting additional investment. The deepening of the navigation channel—from 42 to 52 feet—will allow the port to receive deeper-draft vessels, reducing logistics costs and opening new opportunities for maritime trade. In addition, a presidential permit has been granted to construct an international bridge dedicated exclusively to cargo, a rare authorization that Dietrich describes as “gold” and one that could transform cross-border trade. However, its execution requires immediate coordination between both governments, something that, according to the executive, can no longer be postponed.
Expanding Industrial Platform
The port’s industrial park is also expanding rapidly. With fully developed infrastructure, the Port of Brownsville has begun attracting companies such as Westa Foods, which will produce sunflower oil for major retail chains. Other companies are transforming steel and components directly at the port, strengthening a growing trend: adding value at the point of origin.
“We are going to become more of a manufacturing industry,” González states. With more than 40,000 acres, the port is positioning itself as an industrial hub prepared to absorb part of the nearshoring activity arriving in the region. This evolution takes on additional symbolic significance as a key date approaches: the port is set to celebrate its 90th anniversary on May 16, 2026, a milestone that coincides with one of the most transformative logistical periods in its recent history.
The economic impacts are already evident. The Port of Brownsville contributes approximately $12 billion to the Texas economy and generates more than 66,000 direct and indirect jobs. But that growth, port officials say, depends on resolving a critical issue: the USMCA.
“Businesses do not want to invest money in something that could come to a halt. We need to fix the USMCA today,” Dietrich insists. His position is clear: uncertainty suppresses investment and puts at risk the stability of a region whose trade depends on continuity and certainty.
This integrated vision also reveals a reality both executives consider unavoidable: the region cannot afford to operate under outdated assumptions. Global competition—shaped by subsidies, technological alliances, and the strategic relocation of manufacturing plants—demands that Mexico and the United States act as a single economic bloc that prioritizes fluidity, security, and certainty.
Dietrich maintains that the border has the potential to become a world-class industrial corridor but warns that the opportunity could evaporate if governments fail to update regulatory frameworks and promote coordinated investment. González agrees and emphasizes that the port is already receiving inquiries from companies seeking to integrate into the North American market, but many are waiting for political clarity before committing capital. For both leaders, logistical integration must be accompanied by clear rules, robust infrastructure, and a shared vision capable of sustaining regional growth.
The Port of Brownsville: Ready for What’s Next
In this context, the port’s future depends not only on its infrastructure, but also on its ability to serve as a catalyst for confidence amid global uncertainty. The Port of Brownsville has demonstrated that it can adapt, attract investment, and operate under competitive standards, but it requires both Mexico and the United States to protect the binational ecosystem that has enabled this development. If achieved, the region could consolidate itself as the most dynamic productive corridor in North America—an example of cross-border cooperation where logistics do not divide, but rather unite economies, communities, and opportunities on both sides of the border. According to both executives, the Port of Brownsville is prepared to take that leap.
The seaport not only boasts robust infrastructure, but also a strategic vision that recognizes the interdependence between Mexico and the United States as not an obstacle, but its greatest strength. At a time when the USMCA faces tension, the port is assuming an active role in maintaining certainty and facilitating the flow of trade that supports thousands of businesses.
For Dietrich and González, the region already operates as a single economic unit and should be treated as such: a space where efficiency, technological collaboration, and regulatory coordination will be decisive in competing against Asia and Europe. The Port of Brownsville, they affirm, is ready for those challenges. It has the talent, the location, the industrial support, and above all, the conviction that this binational zone—deeply intertwined in its daily life, commerce, and history—can become the strategic engine that secures the shared economic future of both nations.
Information source: The Port of Brownsville.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally featured atwww.t21.us
The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) continues its ongoing commitment to student empowerment, through its 3rd Annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit: EmpowerHer. Courtesy image
Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) continues its ongoing commitment to student empowerment, through its 3rd Annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit: EmpowerHer, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the PSJA Napper Development & Support Center in Pharr.
The summit brought together over 120 senior female students from all six PSJA high schools, including first-generation early college students pursuing Associate Degrees, College Certificates, Core Complete programs, or enrolled in PSJA Academies.
Enjoying the spoils of the EmpowerHER Seminar. Courtesy image
Dr. Linda Uribe, Executive Officer for College and Career Readiness, shared the vision behind PSJA’s efforts in organizing the Young Women’s Leadership Summit.
“Today, we are engaging in really powerful breakout sessions led by inspiring, successful women, centered on how leadership begins with you and making sure that you lift up everyone around you. Confidence is another trait you’re going to need for the rest of your life, because you can’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re not good enough,” said Dr. Linda Uribe, Executive Officer for College and Career Readiness. “Always remember the PSJA family is behind you and that anything is possible.”
Young women attending a lecture at the EmpowerHER Seminar. Courtesy image
The PSJA College Readiness Department, in collaboration with several district teams, organized the event to help students develop leadership skills, build self-confidence, and expand their networks. Participants learned from accomplished women and community leaders who shared personal stories and insights through interactive breakout sessions.
The Keynote Speaker, Veronica Bernal McCann, a PSJA Alum and a Texas-licensed attorney with a deep-rooted commitment to justice, community, and public service. Currently serving in the Hidalgo County Public Defender’s Office, Verónica defends individuals in misdemeanor and felony cases.
“Power begins with you, and you belong in every single room that you walk into—not because somebody gave you permission, but because your story, your struggle, and your spirit earned you that seat,” said McCann. “And when you get there, don’t just blend in—stand out and bring your people with you.”
For PSJA North Early College High School senior, Valerie Ramirez, shared what really made an impression on her.
“My favorite part of the summit has been that they’re talking to us about being more outgoing, confident, and not being nervous—just talking more to people,” said Ramirez. “That’s why I wanted to attend the summit: to learn how to be more outgoing and to learn about the opportunities and resources available to me.”
The summit brought together over 120 senior female students from all six PSJA high schools, including first-generation early college students pursuing Associate Degrees, College Certificates, Core Complete programs, or enrolled in PSJA Academies.
PSJA ISD, an open-enrollment district dedicated to creating opportunities for all learners. Families throughout the Rio Grande Valley are encouraged to explore the district’s programs and learn more at www.psjaisd.us.
The U.S. Census Bureau released new data products from the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), a survey that measures business conditions and projections on an ongoing basis. The BTOS includes data for multiunit/multilocation businesses. BTOS will continue to collect data complementary to key items found on other economic surveys, such as revenues, employees, hours, and inventories.
U.S Census Bureau GraphicU.S Census Bureau GraphicU.S Census Bureau GraphicU.S Census Bureau Graphic
BTOS data are representative of all employer businesses in the U.S. economy, excluding farms. BTOS provides insight into the state of the economy by providing continuous, timely data for key economic measures every two weeks. By providing continuous data with geographic and subsector detail, BTOS captures the impact of events like natural disasters and economic crises and assists in monitoring recovery efforts.
The BTOS sample consists of approximately 1.2 million businesses with biweekly data collection. Selected businesses are split into six panels (approximately 200,000 cases per panel) that will be asked to report every 12 weeks for a year. The Census Bureau estimates it takes the average respondent approximately nine minutes to complete the survey, including the time for reviewing the instructions and answers.
Data will be released biweekly and available by sector, state and the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. New questions on artificial intelligence were added November 17, 2025 and will be released in 2026. Survey results give local, state and federal officials essential, real-time data to aid in policymaking and decision-making. In addition, the information aids businesses in making economic decisions.
The company’s investment in Texas represents an investment over more than $500 million and the creation of more than 500 new jobs in the next five years. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott congratulated CesiumAstro on the announcement of their new, high-tech advanced manufacturing facility and global headquarters in Bee Cave, Texas. The company’s investment in Texas represents an investment over more than $500 million and the creation of more than 500 new jobs in the next five years.
“CesiumAstro’s investment in Texas helps further position our state as a global hub for the aerospace, aviation and defense industry,” said Governor Abbott. “I congratulate CesiumAstro on this significant expansion in the Austin area which will create hundreds of new, high-tech jobs for hardworking Texans. Partnering with industry leaders like CesiumAstro, Texas will continue to set the pace for innovation, technology, and advanced manufacturing in America.”
Texas-based CesiumAstro is a leader in connectivity solutions for the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries delivering end-to-end solutions encompassing satellites, high-performance communications payloads, and advanced computing systems.
“Our expansion in Texas marks a transformative step for CesiumAstro as we advance cutting-edge space and defense technologies in the United States,” said Shey Sabripour, Founder and CEO of CesiumAstro. “Texas is at the forefront of the new space economy, combining vision, top-tier talent, and powerful public-private partnerships. This is a project that could only be realized in Texas and will play a critical role in securing America’s future. We’re proud to partner with Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, and the Texas Space Commission, whose support fuels our growth, strengthens America’s domestic capabilities, and helps us build next-generation systems that will define the future of aerospace and our national security.”
Navy Ceremonial Guard bayonet drill team from Washington, D.C. Image Courtesy of US Navy
Texas Border Business
By Lt. Winslow Blow, U.S. Navy Navy Office of Community Outreach
From the Texas Citrus Fiesta to Boca Chica Beach, the Navy will bring over 70 Sailors for the inaugural Rio Grande Valley Navy Week from Jan. 24-31. The Navy is partnering with the cities of Mission, McAllen, Edinburg and Brownsville to engage with Texas communities through a week-long series of performances, educational events andservice projects.
Sailors from USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), the namesake ship of Medal of Honor recipient and Edinburg native Sgt. Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez, will honor the memories of “Freddie” and his beloved mother Dolia throughout the Navy Week. There will also be public performances by the Deck Plate Brass Band, the Navy’s New Orleans style music group from Jacksonville, Fla. and the Navy Ceremonial Guard bayonet drill team from Washington, D.C.
Deck Plate Brass Band, the Navy’s New Orleans style music group from Jacksonville, Fla. and the Navy Ceremonial Guard bayonet drill team from Washington, D.C. Courtesy image
“We’re excited to bring Navy Week to the Rio Grande Valley for the very first time, and to kick-off the 2026 Navy Week schedule in the Lone Star State,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Navy Office of Community Outreach director. “As the Nation celebrates Freedom 250 throughout 2026, this year our Navy Week outreach program will embark on a celebratory “Road Trip to 250.” Navy Weeks will serve as symbolic link to communities across America to their Navy,highlighting the shared history and the enduring commitment to defending freedom and supporting our nation’s independence.”
Rear Admiral David Faehnle. Courtesy image
The Navy will bring two senior executives to the Rio Grande Valley area. Austin, Texas native Rear Admiral David Faehnle, Commandant, Naval District Washington, is a career Naval Aviator who has flown 35 combat missions in the F-14 Tomcat and has previously served as the Training Air Wing Four Reserve Commander at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
Retired Navy Capt. Mery-Angela Katson. Courtesy image
Retired Navy Capt. Mery-Angela Katson, Director of Training and Education Requirements, Chief of Naval Personnel, rose the enlisted ranks and commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer. She redesignated as a Human Resources Officer and later served as the commanding officer of Navy Recruiting District San Antonio. As a Navy Executive Service civilian, she has managed a $23 billion annual budget supporting over 340,000 officers and sailors.
Navy Weeks bring the Navy to regions without a major naval presence, fostering connections and showcasing how the Navy’s mission ensures the security, prosperity and freedom of our nation. The Navy Week program has visited over 100U.S. markets since the program’s inception in 2005.
Navy Week public events include:
Navy Band Concert Schedule (* Indicates Band + Ceremonial Guard Performance)
Jan. 24 – Rio Grande Valley Vipers Game (Concourse Activation) @ 6 p.m.
For more details on Rio Grande Valley Navy Week, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/navy-weeks/ or contact Lt. Winslow Blow at winslow.m.blow.mil@us.navy.mil. Follow Navy Outreach on social media @NavyOutreach on Facebook,Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn and connect using #NavyWeek.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated investigations into eighteen educational entities in ten states based on complaints submitted to OCR alleging that they have violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Image for illsutration purposes
Texas Border Business
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated investigations into eighteen educational entities in ten states based on complaints submitted to OCR alleging that they have violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).
The complaints assert that these entities, which range from K-12 school districts to postsecondary education institutions to state departments of education, maintain policies or practices that discriminate on the basis of sex by permitting students to participate in sports based on their ‘gender identity,’ not biological sex. These policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities.
“In the same week that the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the future of Title IX, OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports. Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs—a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished.”
The following entities are currently under investigation:
Jurupa School District (CA)
Placentia-Yorba School District (CA)
Santa Monica College (CA)
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
Waterbury Public Schools (CT)
Hawaii State Department of Education (HI)
Regional School Unit 19 (ME)
Regional School Unit 57 (ME)
Foxborough Public Schools (MA)
University of Nevada – Reno (NV)
Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (NY)
New York City Department of Education (NY)
Great Valley School District (PA)
Champlain Valley School District (VT)
Cheney Public Schools (WA)
Sultan School District No. 311 (WA)
Tacoma Public Schools (WA)
Vancouver Public Schools (WA)
Background
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
