Author: KVIA

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Hope Border Institute and the Diocese of El Paso announced an expansion of humanitarian support for migrants and asylum seekers in Ciudad Juárez amid intensified enforcement on both sides of the border.

The effort, managed through the Border Refugee Assistance Fund, aims to strengthen care on both sides of the border as enforcement measures intensify.

The initiative provides emergency shelter, health care, mental health services and transportation to people displaced by violence and increased deportations. This expansion comes as asylum access narrows and international funding cuts strain the capacity of local organizations to respond to mounting humanitarian needs.

The expansion involves a partnership with “Derechos Humanos Integrales en Acción,” an organization known as DHIA.

Through this collaboration, the initiative will offer immediate assistance to migrants who have survived exploitation, trafficking or violence.

Services include emergency shelter and medical care for these vulnerable populations.

The Jesuit Refugee Service Mexico will also participate in the effort to address mental health needs for those in transit.

Faith communities will provide counseling and psychosocial support.

These services are intended to fill a gap as mental health resources have become increasingly scarce in the region.

Dylan Corbett serves as the executive director of the Hope Border Institute.

He described the collaboration between faith communities on both sides of the border as an essential response to the current conditions for asylum seekers.

“At a time when the border is closed to asylum seekers and deportations are intensifying, our work with Bishop Seitz and our partners in Ciudad Juárez has never been more urgent,” Corbett said.

“The Border Refugee Assistance Fund represents something essential: the willingness of faith communities on both sides of a wall to act as one body. We are grateful to our supporters across the country and the world who make this binational solidarity possible,” he said.

Bishop Mark Seitz, who leads the Diocese of El Paso, emphasized the necessity of these partnerships during a press conference in Ciudad Juárez.

He says the human cost of border enforcement is felt by communities in both the United States and Mexico.

“Partnership is not a luxury in times like these; it is a necessity,” Seitz said. “Through the Border Refugee Assistance Fund, we have learned to respond with both flexibility and conviction to the needs of migrants at our border. As the enforcement campaign intensifies, its human cost is felt on both sides. Our faith communities are called to answer that cry. I am proud that this Fund is helping to lead that response.”

The Border Refugee Assistance Fund was established in 2019 as a joint initiative between Seitz and the Hope Border Institute. Since its inception, the fund has provided humanitarian aid to thousands of migrants and families along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said investigators seized nearly 120 kilograms of cocaine during a targeted operation involving a commercial tractor-trailer Wednesday.

Investigators seized 119.8 kilograms of cocaine, $7,000 and the tractor-trailer believed to have been used in connection with the suspected trafficking operation, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office’s Gang and Narcotics Unit took charge of the investigation.

The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is $4 million, EPCSO said.

(Courtesy: EPCSO)

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is still active, and no information will be released at this time to “protect the integrity of the investigation.”

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Lauren Bly

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Friday, Thomas Rivas received three consecutive life sentences for the deadly shooting that happened at Young Park in Las Cruces. He has 90 years before he’s eligible for parole.

Three teenagers — 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, 17-year-old Jason Gomez and 18-year-old Dominick Estrada — died in the March 2025 shooting. More than a dozen other people were injured.

Rivas was found guilty under the theory of depraved mind murder on Feb. 16.

His younger brother, Nathan Rivas, has a sentencing scheduled for Oct. 9.

The next scheduled sentencing for those convicted in the Young Park shooting is Sept. 11 for Gustavo Dominguez. He was most recently found guilty on July 1.

Dominguez filed a motion requesting for a new trial, which is set for Sept. 2. If the motion is denied, his sentencing will take place as scheduled.

After the sentencing, both the prosecution and defense said they hope the outcome sends a clear message to young people in Las Cruces that gun violence is never the answer.

“It’s something that people way smarter than I might need to figure out the whys of why this has happened over the years but it’s a terrible thing,” defense attorney Thomas Clark said.

Prosecutor Fernando Macias said the sentence shows there will be serious consequences for using firearms to harm others.

“We’re communicating to the community that there are going to be extreme consequences for the use of firearms to harm other individuals,” Macias said.

The defense had asked the court to allow Rivas to serve his sentences concurrently, which would have made him eligible for parole after 30 years.

“He would’ve been 52 years old when he became eligible for parole,” Clark said.

Macias argued that such a sentence would not have been enough.

“A 30-year sentence, to me, would have been a slap in the face to the other two victims and to the families,” he said.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- Retirement can bring a lot of exciting changes, but it can also bring new questions about income, Social Security, taxes, and what to do with the savings you have spent yearsbuilding. Financial advisor Patrick Romero of Mirau Capital Management has some helpful tips.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Saturday, August 1st marks the 33rd Annual Happiness Happens Here Telethon on ABC-7. It’s the chance to spotlight homeless animals in El Paso and the life-saving work that happens every day at the Humane Society of El Paso. The goal is to raise the necessary funds to continue providing medical care, food, shelter and enrichment activities.

The shelter also relies on dedicated volunteers to keep operations running year-round. For many, making a donation is not an option, so they choose to volunteer!

El Pasoan Kim Heidemann started volunteering with the Humane Society of El Paso earlier this year. She’s become a familiar face with many of the dogs who enjoy her treats and extra snuggles.

“Robin just loves to be at the front, and he knows because I’m going to scratch him. And usually I come by with treats, and Rex is all excited. He does zoomies sometimes, and he’ll come to the front of the cage, and I think he knows I give treats,” she stated when asked about the dogs at the shelter.

Heidemann said her love for animals fueled her decision to join the volunteer pack. She also enjoys connecting with other animal lovers.

“So it’s a really great way to, you know, be part of the community and also help with exercising the animals that are stuck in their kennels,” she added.

The volunteer program at the HSEP operates in a tiered program, giving volunteers the flexibility to serve in an area they enjoy. Kim is now a tail wagger. She assists with cleaning kennels, cleaning up after the animals, washing dishes and sanitizing toys.

“I’m hoping that’s going to help them be a little bit more comfortable in their situation.”

Humane Society officials said volunteers donate nearly 50,000 hours a year.

Heidemann said she had many dogs growing up, so she enjoys their companionship. She’s currently unable to adopt a pet, so she chooses to volunteer instead.

“I’ve got a soft spot for animals since I can’t have one personally. And this is my way to give back,” she added.

She encourages others to get involved with the Humane Society of El Paso!

If you would like to learn more about the Humane Society, click here.

Watch the Happiness Happens Here Telethon on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 4-11 p.m. only on ABC-7.

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Joseph Montero

UPDATE (4:11 p.m.): The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said 75-year-old Silvia Resendez died in Wednesday night’s crash. It also said a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in connection to the crash.

According to the sheriff’s office, the crash happened at 10:57 p.m. Thursday.

Investigators said a white GMC truck drove eastbound on the I-10 with a flatbed trailer carrying a truck. According to EPCSO, a Honda Civic driving behind the GMC hit the end of the trailer.

The driver of the Civic went to a local hospital and is in stable condition, EPCSO said.

The passenger, Resendez, died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.

EPCSO said Victor Alonso Saucedo-Torres drove the GMC and was allegedly intoxicated at the time. The sheriff’s office said his DWI charge included having a passenger under the age of 15.

Victor Alonso Saucedo-Torres’ booking photo.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

He booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $7,500 bond.

Special Traffic Investigators went into the investigation due to the severity of the crash.

UPDATE (2:18 p.m.): According to the Texas Department of Transportation, lanes on I-10 East at Vinton reopened.

UPDATE: The El Paso County Fire Department, West Valley Fire Department and Medical Examiner’s Office all arrived at the scene early Friday morning to assist.

ABC-7 has yet to hear back about any confirmed fatalities from this crash.

VINTON, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it’s deputies are responding to a three vehicle crash on I-10 East and Vinton.

The Sheriff’s Office is reporting serious injuries but had no other details at this time.

The El Paso Police Department and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) say all lanes are closed with no clearing time in place.

This is a developing story and ABC-7 will continue to bring you updates as we learn more.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

UPDATE (Aug. 7, 2026): A California judge ordered the Trump Administration to release $65 million in funds it withheld in payments to organizations that help unaccompanied migrant children. Estrella del Paso will receive some of that money.

Estrella del Paso will get about $765,000 from the administration for legal services that ran out last Friday. The judge ordered the money be paid Friday by 1 p.m.

Estrella del Paso had to lay off 13 employees because of the lack of funding.

Executive Director Melissa Lopez sent a statement that said in part, quote:

“The Court saw clearly the government’s attempt to evade the injunction. Unfortunately, this decision does not restore the critical legal services to children that lapsed on July 31. We await the government’s update as to the steps being taken to ensure unaccompanied children receive the services they are legally entitled to receive.”

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Estrella del Paso, the largest provider of free immigration legal services in West Texas and Southern New Mexico and the only provider of unaccompanied children’s services in El Paso, is set to close its program this Friday.

At a news conference with other migrant advocates and legal organizations, its Executive Director, Melissa M. Lopez, announced the program’s closure.

Legal representation for thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children faces a total collapse as a federal funding contract is set to expire tomorrow, July 31, 2026.

Frontline legal service providers warned today that without immediate action, tens of thousands of children will be forced to represent themselves against trained government attorneys. The funding crisis follows a standoff that began in November 2025, when the Trump Administration started withholding payments from legal service providers.

The administration has reportedly withheld funds to pressure organizations to release sensitive and privileged information about the children they represent.

The Defending Our Neighbors Fund, which hosted the briefing this week, has issued emergency grants to several frontline legal service providers.

This assistance aims to maintain representation for children while federal payments remain stalled, though providers warn that these funds are not a permanent solution to the loss of federal support.

Executive director Lopez says the network of providers has spent two decades building specialized institutional knowledge specifically for children who have experienced trauma.

“Over the course of 20 years, this network of legal service providers has developed a unique level of expertise working with children who have experienced trauma,” Lopez said. “We have spent 20 years building this institutional knowledge that we are going to lose on Friday. There is no replacing the organizations providing these services.”

If the contract is not renewed, tens of thousands of unaccompanied children will be forced to navigate the court system alone, according to the organizations. These children would face trained government attorneys without professional counsel, a situation providers say leads directly to removal orders.

“We know what happens to children that go to court without an attorney. In one word, it is deportation,” Lopez said. “The government is trying to eliminate our work and this program because they know that without attorneys, children will be deported.”

The federal contract funding the program is scheduled to expire tomorrow, July 31, 2026. Legal service providers stated that immediate federal action is required to renew the contract and prevent the loss of representation for children.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- Emergency situations can occur anywhere, including in places we generally consider safe, such as schools, places of worship, and community centers.

The ProAction Emergency Services Institute, a licensed provider, aims to help people react quickly when it matters most. It provides STOP THE BLEED training for high school students and for the wider community.

You can get signed up by clicking on this link:

Contact Us

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-TxDOT El Paso is letting drivers know that I-10 East at Anthony will be closed overnight for two weeks so crews can place bridge beams.

According to TxDot El Paso, the closures are scheduled for Thursday, July 30, and from Sunday, August 2 through Thursday, August 6, near Anthony. Fourteen bridges are being rebuilt as part of this widening project. The seven eastbound bridges are now ready for beams. The first bridge is just past the state line, and the seventh is south of Vinton. Crews need to do a lot of prep work to make sure the beams are placed safely.

Crews will place the beams over the next two weeks. The seventh bridge will be the last one to get its girders. Right now, forms are still covering the caps as they continue to strengthen.

At the same site, workers are using hand tools to finish up the details.

To complete the beam work, I-10 eastbound will be closed overnight at Anthony for two weeks. Drivers will be detoured to South Desert, so please plan ahead. In lanes, crews are still carrying out work, and preparations are underway for future paving.

TxDot says once crews are done placing beams, they’ll continue with bridge work. Bridges on the westbound side still need work; they won’t be ready for placement until the fall.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX( KVIA-TV)- The El Paso Summer Coin Show will be taking place on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 at the Airport Marriott, located at 1600 Airways Boulevard in El Paso, and we are inviting coin collectors, history enthusiasts, and families to attend.

Observe the interesting world of coins and numismatics. The exhibition will include dealers from Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and other states, providing a wide range of rare coins, currency, bullion, and collectibles.

The fee is $5 for a single day or $7 for two days and children can enter for free if they are with a paying adult.

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