ABC-7 at 4: Women’s Health Week
Nichole Gomez
State Department warns foreign parents about “birth tourism”
Heriberto Perez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Department of State issued a statement warning foreign citizens planning on giving birth in the U.S. about abusing the country’s immigration system through birth tourism.
“It is unacceptable for foreign parents to use a U.S. tourist visa for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain citizenship for the child, which also could result in American taxpayers paying the medical care costs,” the Bureau of Consular Affairs stated. “This is known as birth tourism, and U.S. consular officers deny all such visa applications under U.S. immigration law,” the Department of State said in a statement.
The Department of State also said that consular officers are working to prevent “birth tourism” and foreign visitors from exploiting the country’s immigration system. “Those who abuse our immigration system through birth tourism may be ineligible for future visas or travel to the United States.”
ABC-7 reached out to CBP, the Bureau of Consular Affairs and local immigration legal organizations to learn more about this recent announcement.
More updates in later newscasts.
ABC-7 at 4: Emergence Health Network to Host Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day at the El Paso Zoo
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout the month, EHN will host multiple awareness events to educate the El Paso community about the importance of caring for the mental health of our friends and families. Noreen Jaramillo, EHN Director of Communication, joins us to discuss how EHN is teaming up with the El Paso Zoo for a day dedicated to children’s mental health.
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and Community Resource FairWHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2025WHEN: 9 am – 1:00 pmWHERE: El Paso Zoo
Free face painting 9 am – 1 pmFree carousel rides 9 am – 1 pmFree magic show 10 am – 11 amFree acrobatic show 11:30 – 12 pm
Mitigating dust storms: The Lordsburg Playa Initiative
Olivia Vara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– Dust storms pose public health and safety hazards in El Paso and surrounding regions, affecting visibility and contributing to motor vehicle accidents.
Local efforts are underway to reduce dust emissions and restore the environment, particularly through the Lordsburg Playa dust mitigation project led by High Desert Native Plants LLC.
The Lordsburg Playa features dry, friable soils that can contribute to dust storms when disturbed by wind.
Michael Gaglio, the owner of High Desert Native Plants LLC, is leading initiatives to stabilize these soils by restoring native vegetation.
The project aims to reduce dust emissions from the Playa through the reintroduction of native plants, which may improve safety for motorists on nearby highways and contribute to better air quality.
Techniques employed include water harvesting, planting native grasses, and methods such as keyline plowing and rock structures to enhance soil health.
These strategies address dust concerns and aim to promote biodiversity and ecological stability in the region.
The project emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainability in addressing the effects of dust storms.
As efforts to revitalize the Lordsburg Playa continue, collaboration between local contractors and community members may serve as a model for future environmental restoration projects in the area.
Construction on the Pellicano Widening Project may soon resume
Isabel Garcia
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Nearly 3 years after the Pellicano Widening Project was supposed to be completed, the 3 mile stretch of road between Loop 375 and Darrington Rd. could soon have upgrades begin again thanks to a new court ruling.
The construction project is managed by the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA).
The CRRMA contracted J.A.R. Construction, Inc., Which filed for bankruptcy in March of 2023. That move left the CRRMA unable to finish the project.
The CRRMA issued a Notice of Default to the contractor, and tried to have it’s surety continue to work on the project.
J.A.R. Construction, Inc did not continue the project, claiming the default was improper.
Now, the United States Bankruptcy Court ruled in favor of the CRRMA, saying the move to default the contractor was justified.
The ruling will now remove the surety’s stated reason for not restarting the work.
“The residents of Far East El Paso deserve infrastructure that matches the rapid growth of ourcommunity,” said El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego in a press release. “This ruling is more than just a legal victory—it’s a meaningful step toward rebuilding trust and honoring the promises made to this community.
The completion of the project was originally set for July 2022.
President Trump signs executive order mandating English proficiency for truck drivers
Olivia Vara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring all commercial truck drivers in the United Stated to demonstrate English proficiency.
The order directs the department of transportation to enforce English literacy tests for truckers.
The White House says drivers who fail to meet literacy criteria will be placed out of service.
This policy follows a March 2025 executive order by President Trump declaring English as the official language of the United States.
“A Long Road to Justice”: Judge Medrano Reflects on the Walmart Mass Shooting Case
Marcel Clarke
After nearly six years, the case that shook El Paso and the nation has finally reached a resolution. In his first local TV interview, Judge Medrano opened up about the emotional toll and lasting impact of overseeing the Walmart mass shooting case—the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history.
“Five years, eight months, and 16 days.” Judge Medrano said, that is how long he has lived with this case.
“People say five and a half years, others say six—but it was five years, eight months, and 16 days,” he said. “This case could’ve gone on for three or four more years depending on rulings I would’ve had to make.”
Judge Medrano revealed this was his first sit-down with local TV media. Until now, he had remained quiet—bound by the role of a judge who listens but does not speaks. But the moment the case resolved, he felt it was time to say something. The judge also did something unprecedented during sentencing: he addressed the defendant directly.
“I’ve never spoken to a defendant after a plea or a jury sentence. But this was different. Everyone in this community was a victim. I felt someone needed to speak for the first responders and every person shocked that this happened.”
When asked if justice was truly served, Judge Medrano paused.
“I see both sides. Some wanted this resolved. Others wanted the ultimate punishment,” he said. “Neither side is wrong… and neither is right. That’s a hard question. Was justice served? I hope it was.” Having served nearly three decades on the bench, he added that in capital punishment cases, victims’ families may not live to see the final sentence carried out.
Judge Medrano acknowledged the case—once one of the most nationally watched trials—raises larger issues about hate crimes, mental health, and access to weapons.
“This is the biggest mass shooting case in U.S. history that was supposed to go to trial,” he said. “Whatever hate crime laws we have—they aren’t working. Most mass shooters are young, and the access they have to things online and weapons is overwhelming.”
While he noted that legislative solutions lie with lawmakers, he stressed the importance of deeper conversations around prevention.
Mexico, U.S. reach deal over Rio Grande water sharing treaty
Heriberto Perez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Department of State, along with the Mexican federal government, announced they reached an agreement that involves Mexico sending more water from their shared Rio Grande basin to Texas.
This is part of the 1944 U.S.-Mexico treaty, which Mexico has not complied with its water sharing obligations since the previous administrations.
“Mexico has committed to make an immediate transfer of water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle. These steps will help American farmers, ranchers, and municipalities in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley get much-needed water and reduce shortfalls in deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty,” the State Department said in a statement.
Both countries also committed to developing a long-term plan to meet treaty requirements while addressing water debts, including additional monthly transfers and regular consultations on water deliveries that take into consideration the needs of Texas ranchers, farmers, and municipalities.
Several Texas lawmakers have pushed Mexico to comply and deliver its water debt to the U.S.
“Mexico’s failures to uphold its water obligations have been devastating to Texas farmers and cities. I have been fighting for years to secure those deliveries, including by advancing sanctions legislation in the United States Senate and by emphasizing to both American and Mexican officials that the U.S.-Mexico relationship cannot proceed productively unless Mexico meets its obligations. Recently, I worked with Secretary Rollins to secure a $280 million grant to provide critical economic relief in the Rio Grande Valley, but that was only, and explicitly, a stopgap measure,” said Sen. Ted Cruz when the agreement was reached.
Under the 1944 water treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle.
“South Texas has been devastated by Mexico’s repeated refusal to deliver the water it has owed the United States for far too long, and I commend the Trump administration for securing this critical deal for Mexico to finally send water to the region,” Sen. Cornyn also said.
Now, Mexico has a deadline that is at risk of not being met, since the end of the current five-year cycle approaches in October of this year.
“We deliver the maximum amount of water possible, because we must first guarantee human rights, including agricultural irrigation in several areas of the country,” said the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum in a news conference.
ABC-7 AT 4: The Paso del Norte Health Foundation celebrates 30th anniversary
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)- This year marks a major milestone for the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation.
Tracy Yellen, the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation CEO, and Jana Renner the senior program officer, join us to talk about the major milestone.
El Paso observes National Youth Violence Prevention Week
Nicole Ardila
National Youth Violence Prevention Week begins this week and is is observed every year for communities for kids and teens across the U.S. to stand against violence.
This initiative started in 2001 to raise awareness on stopping youth violence all around the country to make their neighborhoods and schools safer.
ABC-7 spoke with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office who oversees 25 school campuses in the county.
Sergeant Jesus Acuña says they’ve seen an increase of assaults reported on campuses.
And while he says they haven’t seen an increase in gun violence, they are concerned about a new prank among students.
“The ‘senior assassin,’ where we have students that are bringing replica firearms,” said Acuña. “So they’re going to be plastic guns that shoot out plastic projectiles. And it’s a game that they’re playing where they’re going around and trying to kill each other.”
While it’s common to see girls committing gun violence, Acuña says most reports are about males.
According to the sergeant, national statistics show that in 4 out of 5 school shootings, someone knew about the shooting beforehand.
“I think the biggest advice that I can give to parents and guardians, family members, is go out with your child, talk to them, ask them what’s going on in the schools,” said Acuña. “Ask them what’s going on with their friends, just have that communication open with them.”
If parents are aware that something is going on, and it leads to a law enforcement response, Acuña says that the parents can be held criminally liable.
The sergeant also says one of the leading causes of youth violence is domestic violence and exposure to it.
This week, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will be working hand in hand with Emergence Health Network to talk about mental health and domestic violence awareness in schools.