Author: KVIA

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Women’s Intercultural Center in Anthony, New Mexico, is urging U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to upload a Spanish guide for the 2025 civics test. The center has helped legal residents apply for U.S. citizenship for over 32 years.

The center claims it creates barriers for students preparing for U.S. citizenship.

“We are ready to teach, we are ready to serve, yet we cannot prepare our Spanish-speaking students without access to the official translation,” said Mary Carter, Executive Director and Citizenship Instructor at the Women’s Intercultural Center. “Citizenship is a right and a responsibility, and language access is essential for both.”

According to national data, Spanish is the second most common language in the U.S., with about 13% of the population speaking Spanish.

The center offers a space for borderland women to learn and collaborate on developing their social, spiritual, economic, and political potential; they also offer bilingual citizenship classes.

USCIS has a policy where applicants can be exempt from the English language requirement, but still must take the civics test if you are:

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 20 years (the “50/20” exception).

OR

Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (the “55/15” exception).

“So it’s very important to have the appropriate tools and resources, and having the actual guide to the civic questions is crucial to support Spanish-speaking applicants,” said Executive Director Carter. “We do our own curriculum because we focus on alternative education, and because of that, we create our own curriculum, which has been successful since 2008, with a 100% success rate in passing because we prepare them specifically for it.”

“We teach our students that they have to learn the responses to the civic questions exactly as they are written. The phrases, especially with these 128 civic questions, are often idiomatic, and because they are phrases, there are different ways to translate them. So, we need to have the exact vocabulary to give them the correct answers to study.”

When visiting the USCIS website, the Spanish version is visible; however, clicking on it leads to the English version.

“We definitely want to correct the error, and we want to make sure we have it for ourselves. We are trying to push to get access to this before January, when our classes start in the spring, and we want to ensure everyone is prepared,” Executive Director Carter added. “We also want everyone to be aware so we can advocate for it to be uploaded correctly, because it doesn’t take much to upload that file.”

“We all need to have the correct answers for those individuals, and even for those who research and have the capacity to do it, they should have the tools and resources to become naturalized citizens,” Executive Director Carter said.

ABC-7 reached out to the USCIS national office for comment and to learn why a Spanish version has not been uploaded; they are working to provide us with an answer.

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Paul Cicala

MEXICO CITY – (KVIA) –  We had a number of people e-mail and post on social media in reaction to ABC-7 Anchor Paul Cicala‘s report from Mexico City at the Basilica de Guadalupe.

Simon wrote: “Gracias! Your coverage of the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe is very inspirational!”

Felipe commented on social media: “Been there at the Basilica 5 times, always felt a presence and tranquility. Viva La Morenita.”

Michael chimed in:”I loved your story. It was very informative. I can’t wait to go back to Mexico City and go to the Basilica. I live in Missouri and I watch you on the app.”

Lisa added: “Can’t wait, someday I’ll make it there.”

December 12th is celebrated worldwide as the “Day of our Lady of Guadalupe” (Guadalupe is an indigenous version of the Virgen Mary). Tens of millions of people honor “La Virgen de Guadalupe on that date, and the days leading up to it, all throughout the world.

In another version of “People, Places & Paul”, ABC-7 Anchor Paul Cicala traveled from Juarez to Mexico City to bring us a special report on the many people, including El Pasoans, that make the pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadalupe every year around this time.

Crossing there international port of entry on foot from El Paso to Ciudad Juarez, the annual journey has begun for Bronson Smith. The native of Tucson, Arizona made the drive to El Paso, then crossed through the border and flew to Mexico City out of the Ciudad Juarez airport. His mission: to pay tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe & complete a “manda” or pilgrimage to this historic site on December 12th (The birthday of the Virgen de Guadalupe).

“I completed my commitment, not only to the Virgen Mary, but to my mother,” said Bronson Smith, as he arrived to the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City after trekking several kilometers on foot alongside the scores of other people also making the pilgrimage.

Smith is one of literally millions of people that embark on a pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadalupe every year.

His arrival every year is on December 12th, which is the day the “Virgen de Guadalupe”, in which an indigenous, brown Virgin Mary, miraculously appeared in 1531 to an Aztec peasent, Juan Diego.

Smith, who’s a Native American, said, “It’s reminiscent of what my own tribe, the Tohono O’odham Nation embraces, as far as tradition and Catholicism. It’s the way I was raised in my household with my grandmother and my mother, embracing our indigenous traditions while embracing the Lord.” 

As “peregrinos”, or those making their pilgrimage, arrive to the Basilica de Guadalupe, they’ll see Aztec and other indigenous dancers combining their indigenous culture with that of Catholicism, as they pay tribute to the “brown” Virgin Mary (our Lady of Guadalupe).

For many peregrinos, like Bronson Smith, before arriving to the Basilica themselve, they’ll walk several kilometers down the “Calzada de Guadalupe”, carrying religious momentos, and in the case of Smith, a tribal staff.

“I pray not only for myself, but family, and my people, and my community,” said Smith, while the same can be said for El Pasoan Mario Gallo, a Fabens High School Grad.

ABC-7 anchor Paul Cicala, who, for full disclosure also completed his 8th manda to the Basilica de Guadalupe, caught up with the El Pasoan Mario Gallo in Mexico City, who said, “It’s been a great experience.

Gallo went on to say, “(I have) very mixed emotions, as it’s my first time being here, and to come be part of history and tradition a lot of people follow.”

During the walk to the Basilica de Guadalupe, it’s common to see good samaritans handing out food and drinks to people who’ve literally been walking for weeks for their pilgrimage.

In fact, many crawl on their knees, as they approach the famous church that was built in the 1500’s.

With the sound of indigenous drums playing outside, scores of faithful peregrinos enter the Basilica, and are awarded with seeing the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which miraculously appeared on a cloth held by Juan Diego, now a saint, as a religious sign to his fellow Aztecs, as people from all backgrounds have also flocked to this site.

“I’m originally from West Africa,” said Mary Rose, as she chatted with ABC-7’s Paul Cicala a few blocks from the Basilica.

Mary Rose and her friends and family, who now live in New York, are a good example of the diversity you see along the way.

“I brought with me my sisters in Christ to praise her (Virgen of Guadalupe) to love her and pray for everybody,” said Mary Rose.

As for Bronson Smith, he says his prayers, faith & celebrationg all go “full circle”.

“I traveled from the Tohono O’odham Nation in Tucson, to El Paso, to Juarez, and flew to Mexico City,” said Smith.

He’ll also do it all over again this year, and from years to come.

“I feel blessed,” said Smith, as he made the sign of the cross, and completed his manda.

The Special Report Will Air on Thursday, December 11th on ABC-7 at 6 p.m.

ABC-7’s Paul Cicala periodically does a segment on KVIA called “People, Places & Paul” that showcases interesting characters of El Paso, including diverse places in the borderland, along with the movers-and-shakers of our region, including Ciudad Juarez, & other parts of the USA & Mexico. To see more of his stories, you can click this link. 

If you’d like to attend a midnight mass dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe on midnight of December 12th, celebrations begin at sundown on Thursday, December 11th at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on the East side of El Paso.

There’ll also be matachines paying tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, December 11th at the church until the mass begins at midnight heading into Friday, December 12th.

Also, Our Lady of Guadlupe Church, in Central El Paso, will have a midnight mass you can attend,

The Special Report Will Air on Thursday, December 11th on ABC-7 at 6 p.m.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– Aghaaˈ Hat Co. is an Indigenous-owned and led hat and beadwork brand based in El Paso, Texas, that centers ancestral traditions in its work.

The owner, Cynthia Guiterrez-Krapp, crafts repurposed rabbit and beaver fur felts into handmade hats.

Her work comes with a story. Cynthia was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer, an aggressive form that grows by about 1% every day.

She closed down her last shop on Alameda Avenue last year while undergoing radiation.

Cynthia has been cancer free since October 6th and is at last reopening Aghaa’ Hat Company in a more manageable location, a shipping container.

Aghaa’ Hat Company’s offerings extend beyond headwear to bead-woven bands and custom hat accessories that celebrate desert-inspired motifs.

Leather Beaded Cuff and Peyote Stitch workshops invite customers to learn traditional techniques, blending heritage with modern design, held at local venues such as Wine Down and Steady Pace Coffee.

Aghaa’ Hat Company aims to preserve and honor Indigenous histories through tangible, wearable art.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Dozens of farmers from different parts of Chihuahua blocked all commercial ports of entry in Juárez again on Wednesday to protest the proposed national water law in Mexico.

The Bridge of the Americas, Santa Teresa, Ysleta-Zaragoza, and Marcelino Serna in Tornillo Ports of Entry were completely blocked by farmers for a second time since last week.

Mexico’s House of Representatives (Cámara de Diputados), or Chamber of Deputies, passed the proposed Water Law, which is set to prohibit all private transfers of water concessions in the country. Mexican politicians from other political parties protested after it was passed; now it will go to the Senate.

Farmers across the country say this law will take water away from the courtside and re-allocate it for discretionary use, adding that it threatens their livelihoods and the work they do every day.

“We apologize and send a message of support to all the truckers who are stuck at all bridges,” said a Chihuahua farmer. “We’ve even talked to them and they’ve given us their vote of confidence, saying they understand the situation in the countryside, because many of them are children of rural people.”

Tensions have increased south of the border between some farmers and some commercial truck drivers, since drivers have to cross their cargo for them to get paid.

“Well, it’s difficult, a situation where everyone looks out for their own interests; they bring their protest, but I also have to get home,” said a local commercial trucker. “So, those of us who are here, those of us who come from elsewhere, if you don’t work and don’t make trips, you don’t earn anything.” “These guys here in Ciudad Juárez who work crossing the border, well, if you don’t make trips, you don’t earn anything.”

According to CANACAR in Juárez, there has been an average of 20,400 stranded cargoes, each with an approximate value of $65,000, resulting in $1.326 billion stranded per day if these protests continue.

“We feel frustrated and angry at the insensitivity of our representatives, our leaders, and all those who support this law that threatens our heritage—the heritage that our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents worked so hard to build,” said another Chihuahua farmer protesting at the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry in Tornillo, Texas.

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KVIA-Newsroom

Editor’s note: this story has been updated to reflect new court paperwork obtained by ABC-7 that shows Max Grossman’s case was dismissed by an El Paso judge today, December 3.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A misdemeanor case involving well-known watchdog and University of Texas at El Paso associate professor Max Grossman was dismissed by an El Paso judge after Grossman completed the conditions of a pretrial diversion program, according to records obtained by ABC-7.

Grossman, 58, was arrested September 4 on a family violence charge in connection to an August 27 incident involving his former girlfriend, court records show.  

The El Paso District Attorney’s Office filed a motion on December 3 to dismiss the case on the grounds that Grossman had completed the program, and El Paso County Court Judge Carlos Carrasco signed an order granting the dismissal.

In a written response to ABC-7’s request for information, Stephanie Valle, Special Projects Administrator with the El Paso District Attorney’s Office, said in part: “The decision to refer the Defendant to pre-trial diversion was made after a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the Defendant’s lack of criminal history.” 

Court records show that Grossman was required to pay a $60 fee and complete a Victim Impact Panel, which the Texas Department of Criminal Justice describes as an educational program.  

Court documents explain that Grossman’s case would be dismissed once he completed the program’s conditions, but any violation of those conditions would jeopardize the dismissal. 

Records show the case will be partially expunged—meaning, it will be visible only to the District Attorney’s Office and not the public.  

Grossman’s criminal defense attorney Brian Kennedy told ABC-7 Grossman has completed all his pre-trial diversion requirements. He also referred us back to his earlier comment, saying, ‘As I initially said, we look forward to clearing Mr. Grossman’s name and with this dismissal his name has been cleared.”  

Grossman has two civil suits against his former partner, and one against her former attorney.  

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Gabrielle Lopez

CANUTILLO, Texas (KVIA) — Canutillo Independent School District’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted Dr. Josue D. Borrego as its superintendent finalist.

The district said Borrego is an experienced school administrator in elementary, secondary campuses and central office departments. He previously worked in principal, assistant principal and executive administrator positions. Borrego helped raise campus ratings to A.

“Borrego brings with him impressive record of helping schools and school systems improve student outcomes,” CISD Board President Sergio Martinez said. “The board is confident he can produce similar, if not greater, results here in Canutillo.”

Trustees will vote on Borrego’s contract in January. Borrego will succeed Superintendent Emeritus Dr. Pedro Galaviz.

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Joseph Montero

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A water main break has closed some of the westbound lanes of Montana Ave. at Desert Meadows Road.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office issued a traffic alert and reported crews are working to fix it.

According to TxDOT, the break was reported just after 11 p-m last night..

TxDOT’s map says the right two lanes are closed right now with no clearing time.

ABC-7 reached out to the Sheriff’s Office and El Paso water, but have not heard back.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The City of Juárez will host its 86th edition of the ‘Santa Bombero‘ or Firefighter Santa campaign this December 24th at the DIF park, next to the ‘Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez’ (FC Juárez soccer stadium), near BOTA.

The campaign aims to collect toys to give to families in need.

ABC-7 spoke with Juárez Fire Captain and coordinator of the ‘Santa Bombero’ campaign, Josué Martínez Guerrero, who said this event is already part of their job as firefighters and a city tradition.

Captain Martínez said their mission is to gather residents, business owners, politicians, leaders, and officials of the borderland to help this good cause.

Last year, the Juárez Fire Department (Heroico Cuerpo de Bomberos de Ciudad Juárez) distributed around 3,000 toys and about 1,000 bicycles to local kids. This year, they’re unsure how many to expect, as each year differs.

“That’s why our mission is always to have a gift prepared for every child who comes to us that day, so they can take a gift and be happy at Christmas,” said Captain Martínez.

So far, they have collected less than half of what they raised last year, with around 800 toys for boys, about 500 for girls and approximately 200 bicycles. They ask for community donations as firefighters usually repair bicycles that need fixing.

“While it’s true that our reward is seeing the child’s joy when we give them their gift, they also carry the memory of receiving it from a firefighter,” Captain Martínez added. “It’s always our goal to reach vulnerable children, and that’s why we invite everyone to join us. Many children only get a gift from ‘Santa Bombero’; they’ve told us so.”

“That’s where understanding comes in for us, and it gives us the strength and encouragement to do this noble work year after year.”

Captain Martínez mentioned that all firefighters sacrifice something for this campaign; some give up vacations, postpone family plans, and even birthdays.

“Personally, one of my daughters has a birthday on December 15th, and I haven’t been with her these past years because I’ve been fully involved in the campaign. But when we deliver the toys and see the children’s joy and gratitude, it makes all the sacrifice worth it,” said Captain Martínez.

“For us, it’s a duty to reach the vulnerable children in our city,” he added. “And when we see that smile when a child receives a gift, it’s a satisfaction that beats everything we’ve sacrificed.”

During the event’s opening, Juárez Mayor Cruz Pérez Cuéllar highlighted that Santa Bombero is a story of solidarity built across generations.

“The smiles of the children are priceless, so we invite the community on both sides of the border to help keep this tradition alive—one that brings joy to those with the least,” Mayor Pérez Cuéllar said.

He also expressed gratitude to officials, council members, business owners, merchants, motorcycle clubs, and the community for their continued support.

Rubí Enríquez, President of the Municipal DIF (Family Services), emphasized that this activity is meaningful because firefighters not only respond to emergencies but also inspire hope in Juarez’s children.

She called on families to donate a toy and teach children values like empathy and solidarity.

Sergio Rodríguez, Director of Civil Protection, also thanked the community for its ongoing support, which makes this campaign possible. “The children’s joy and excitement are clear when they receive bicycles and toys,” he said.

“This beautiful tradition originated in 1939, when Chief Leonardo Solís Barraza responded to the requests of children seeking gifts,” said Fire Chief Jorge Ignacio Puentes. “He didn’t have toys then but promised to return later and was able to give presents, starting the campaign that is now a vital part of the city’s social spirit.”

Gifts and donations can be dropped off at:

Juárez fire stations

S-Mart supermarkets

Superette convenience stores

Arco gas stations

Other participating businesses

The Municipal DIF (Family Services) offices.

“It is a border tradition that, through the decades, has kept its main goal of bringing joy to vulnerable children,” said the City of Juárez.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Chihuahua State Police Department (SSPE) continues to rescue migrants held at stash houses by alleged human smugglers in Ciudad Juárez.

According to a spokesperson from SSPE Chihuahua, this year they have found 261 migrants so far, compared to 265 last year. Across the entire state, they have found 268 migrants this year so far, and 310 last year.

“Some years ago, it was a topic with a lot of social mobility, where thousands of people arrived in caravans, by train, walking, and there were even cases of people getting lost in the desert,” said SSPE Assistant Police Chief Luis Ángel Aguirre. “There were situations where even people walking on the road got involved in traffic accidents because a car hit them or something.”

According to Assistant Police Chief Aguirre, binational security meetings are held to prevent migrants from being kidnapped or crossing illegally into the U.S.

In Mexico, SSPE Chihuahua collaborates with the Mexico Attorney’s Office (FGR), the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office (FGE), the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and the Mexican Immigration National Institute (INAMI), among others.

Aguirre also said that collaborations with U.S. agencies are a key factor in their success in locating stash houses, with HSI assisting them the last time to find one.

In that stash house, SSPE officers and detectives found 17 migrants, three alleged smugglers, firearms, and over $16,000 in cash.

Along with Border Patrol and other binational agencies, SSPE Chihuahua continues their “mirror operation,” patrolling both sides of the border wall simultaneously to prevent illegal crossings.

Over the past 51 months, SSPE has conducted more than 206 operations with Border Patrol, rescuing approximately 1,576 migrants.

Migrants are often told by smugglers that they will be taken across the border to the U.S. before being held at stash houses, where criminal organizations ask for money for their release.

“So what they (smugglers) did was practically receive these migrants, coordinate them, carry out all these irregular activities of prostitution, drug sales, collection, use of space, all these situations to which this irregular ecosystem of these migrants lends itself and that this has led us to identify networks, to identify which local gangs they are linking with, that is also a reality,” said SSPE Assistant Chief Aguirre.

“The unique aspect of the Aragua train is that they form alliances with all the local gangs to have stronger logistics and communication, because what they want is to take advantage of the flow of people to traffic drugs, to traffic people, to traffic any type of contraband,” added SSPE Assistant Chief Aguirre.

Since the current Chihuahua state administration began, SSPE has arrested 144 suspected human traffickers, seized 65 firearms, over 5,500 rounds of ammunition, more than 17 kilos of various drugs, as well as over 128,000 Mexican pesos and $52,000.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– November 29th marks Small Business Saturday, a tradition started in 2010 by American Express and officially sponsored by the Small Business Administration in 2011.

The day sits between Black Friday and Cyber Monday to encourage shoppers to support local businesses during the holiday season.

Erik Eaton, a market vendor at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing Farmers’ Market, began crafting candles after retiring from the military and working as a nurse. Eaton now hopes to run the business full time in a year and a half.

“You’re not paying the high profits of big stores. And a lot of us are very creative. We can make personalized items for anybody that wants it as well. If someone comes with a particular scent they want and I don’t have it, I can make it for them and deliver it in town,” Eaton said during an interview.

Community support is crucial for small vendors like Eaton and his business, Desert Illuminations Handcrafted Candles, emphasizing personalized products and local delivery. Many vendors at the Farmers’ Market sell items they already enjoy creating, turning passion into commerce.

The market scene today highlights the broader message of Small Business Saturday: buying local strengthens local businesses and preserves unique crafts. 

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