Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released Friday evening from an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana, after spending over three months in custody. Khalil, a lawful permanent U.S. resident, was arrested outside his Columbia University apartment in March.
Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil’s release on bail, stating Khalil is not a flight risk nor a threat to public safety. The judge also found that Khalil’s detention appeared to be a punitive response to his role in campus protests.
Legal Fight Continues
Though freed, Khalil’s legal battle is not over. An immigration judge reaffirmed a deportation order during Friday’s hearing, which Khalil’s legal team will appeal. The charge centers on allegedly incomplete information in Khalil’s green card application—an accusation his lawyers deny.
Columbia Protester Mahmoud Khalil released from immigration detention center -Screenshot courtesy: Matthew Hinton/AP
Government’s Position and Criticism
The Department of Homeland Security maintained that Khalil’s detention was legal. His attorneys argue the Trump-era arrest was politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent. Khalil was among the first student activists detained under policies critics say target free speech.
Family Reunification and Restrictions
Khalil’s release terms include surrendering his passport and limiting his travel to certain U.S. states. He is now allowed to return to New York, where he will reunite with his wife and their newborn son, born while Khalil was in custody.
Ongoing Advocacy
Despite the ordeal, Khalil’s supporters and legal team say he will continue advocating for Palestinian rights. “He’s a peace activist and he’s not going to stop,” said his attorney Baher Azmy.
Broader Implications
Khalil’s case has drawn national attention, highlighting concerns about due process, free speech, and the use of immigration law to penalize political activism. As the appeals process continues, his supporters remain hopeful for a final ruling in his favor.
For more on Khalil, stay tuned for more updates with us on Que Onda Magazine.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A Saharan dust cloud is expected to start blowing into southeast Texas on Friday, dropping rain chances for the weekend and turning the sky hazy and gray. The hazy sky and dry weather will be short-lived as a stormy weather pattern returns next week.
Friday is the summer solstice, which brings us the most daylight of the year. The sun will rise around 6:21 a.m. and set around 8:24 p.m., resulting in a total of 14 hours, 3 minutes, and 31 seconds of daylight.
Temperatures on Friday morning will start off in the upper 70s. By noon, it will be around 90, and the afternoon high will peak in the mid-90s between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. There’s only a 20% chance of rain under a partly cloudy sky with southeast winds blowing at 10 to 15 mph.
How much rain should we expect to pick up?
About one to two inches are expected at this time. There could be some pockets with significantly higher amounts that lead to localized street flooding.
What’s happening in the tropics?
At this time, the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting tropical development and bringing a slightly hazy sky to Southeast Texas. Meanwhile, another storm is threatening to form south of Mexico in the eastern Pacific. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.
Emerson Colindres Deported Without Family After ICE Check-In
Nineteen-year-old Emerson Colindres Baquedano, a recent high school graduate and standout soccer player in Cincinnati, was deported to Honduras on June 18—just two weeks after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in in Hamilton, Ohio.
Colindres, who had lived in the U.S. since the age of 8 and had no criminal record, was taken into custody on June 4 and held at Butler County Jail before reportedly being transferred to Louisiana. His family and supporters say they were not informed of his whereabouts until after his deportation.
His mother, Ada Bell Baquedano-Amador, and his sister—also under the same 2023 deportation order—remain in Cincinnati but were given 30 days to leave the country. “How is my son going to make it over there?” she told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “He doesn’t know anything, and the country where we come from is very insecure.”
Emerson Colindres loves playing soccer, and has now been deported to Honduras weeks after his high school graduation in the U.S.
Community Protests and Pleas for Mercy
The deportation sparked protests outside the jail where Emerson was held. Many of his classmates, teachers, and teammates from the Cincy Galaxy Soccer Club rallied, describing him as a role model and “one of the best kids” they’ve known.
Coach Bryan Williams, who accompanied Colindres to previous ICE check-ins, said the teen was handcuffed and taken away without explanation during his June 4 appointment. “Sadly, he’s not the only one,” Williams said. “There are a lot of Emersons in the same situation right now.”
Background on the Case
The Colindres family fled Honduras in 2014, seeking asylum from gang violence. Their request was eventually denied, and they were issued a final removal order in August 2023. Despite this, Emerson was placed under ICE’s Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), a Biden-era initiative meant to avoid detaining low-priority individuals.
However, changes under former President Donald Trump expanded ICE’s discretion to deport anyone with a final order of removal—regardless of criminal background. Critics say this shift has led to a rise in sudden detentions of people like Colindres, who had complied with all ICE requirements.
Calls for Reform and Compassion
Department of Homeland Security defended the deportation, stating that “those arrested had executable final orders” and that ISAP is designed to “ensure compliance.”
Yet for Colindres’s community, the legal explanation isn’t enough. Teammate Joshua Williams said, “He didn’t do anything wrong. They just took him away.” Preston Robinson, another teammate, added, “He had a dream to play college soccer. It was possible for him.”
As Emerson begins life in a country he hasn’t known since childhood, his friends, family, and coaches continue to call on federal officials to reconsider the human cost of current deportation practices.
Stay tuned to developments from this tragic story with us on Que Onda Magazine.
Miller stated he filed reports with both Capitol Police and local law enforcement. “We know who this person is and he will face justice,” he said.
Rising Political Violence Across the U.S.
The alleged incident follows a series of politically motivated attacks nationwide, including the fatal shooting of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and the critical injury of State Sen. John Hoffman.
Miller Denounces Anti-Semitism
“As a Marine, a proud Jewish American and a staunch defender of Israel, I will not hide in the face of this blatant anti-Semitic violence,” Miller said.
Calls for Civil Engagement
Addressing broader concerns, Miller urged constituents to seek dialogue rather than violence: “The appropriate thing to do is to reach out… What is not okay is to assault anyone.”
Unrelated Kidnapping Attempt in Memphis
In a separate case, Memphis police arrested Trenton Abston, 25, who allegedly attempted to kidnap the city’s mayor. Authorities found a Taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape in his vehicle. He remains in custody pending a court appearance.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A Saharan dust cloud is expected to start blowing into southeast Texas on Friday, dropping rain chances for the weekend and turning the sky hazy and gray. The hazy sky and dry weather will be short-lived as a stormy weather pattern returns next week.
Friday is the summer solstice, which brings us the most daylight of the year. The sun will rise around 6:21 a.m. and set around 8:24 p.m., resulting in a total of 14 hours, 3 minutes, and 31 seconds of daylight.
Temperatures on Friday morning will start off in the upper 70s. By noon, it will be around 90, and the afternoon high will peak in the mid-90s between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. There’s only a 20% chance of rain under a partly cloudy sky with southeast winds blowing at 10 to 15 mph.
What should we expect for the weekend?
It will feel like a typical summer weekend with highs in the mid-90s and lows in the upper 70s. The sky will also be hazy gray from Saharan dust, especially on Saturday. Rain chances both days are 20% or less.
How high will the rain chances go next week?
For now, we have a chance of rain at 40% Wednesday through Saturday, but there is room for those rain chances to climb. Tropical moisture will flow in around a major heat ridge over the northeastern part of the country. This type of pattern often produces funnel clouds and waterspouts in the morning near the coast. The showers and storms should also bring rain-cooled highs in the upper 80s for at least a couple of days.
What’s happening in the tropics?
At this time, the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting tropical development and bringing a slightly hazy sky to Southeast Texas. Meanwhile, Hurricane Erick made landfall in Mexico as a major hurricane. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.
Space Center Houston will celebrate Sally’s Night on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., marking the 42nd anniversary of Dr. Sally Ride’s groundbreaking spaceflight aboard NASA’s STS-7 mission.
Ride became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983, forever changing the course of human spaceflight history.
A Tribute to Inclusion and Discovery
Guests are invited to reflect on Ride’s legacy and her message that “space is for everyone,” honoring her role as both a trailblazing woman and a gender-expansive individual in science. Her mission aboard the space shuttle Challenger remains one of NASA’s most celebrated milestones.
Houston’s ‘BeSomeone’ Artist Joins Celebration
Space Center Houston is partnering with the anonymous BeSomeone artist, known for the iconic graffiti over I-45, to create a live mural inspired by Ride’s message: “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity.” The artwork will reflect Houston’s vital role in space exploration.
R&B artist Chris Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London to enter a plea in connection to an alleged assault that took place at a nightclub in February 2023.
The 36-year-old is accused of attacking Abraham Diaw with a bottle at Tape nightclub in Mayfair.
Court Appearance with Co-Defendant
Brown arrived in a dark blue suit, walking silently past photographers. He appeared alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, 38, for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Both are U.S. nationals.
Details of the Incident
According to Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Diaw was struck multiple times with a bottle at the bar, then chased and beaten in another section of the club. The altercation allegedly took place on February 19, 2023.
Arrest and Bail Conditions
Brown was arrested in Manchester on May 15 after flying into the UK on a private jet. He was released from prison on May 21 after paying a £5 million security fee as part of his conditional bail.
Continuing Tour Amid Legal Trouble
Despite the charges, Brown has continued performing, including a concert in Cardiff. Shortly after his release, he referenced his tour in an Instagram story, writing: “FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL.”
For more on this story, stay tuned for more updates with us on Que Onda Magazine.
Texas quietly halted funding for its state border wall program, leaving only 8% of the ambitious project completed despite an expenditure exceeding $3 billion. Announced four years ago by Gov. Greg Abbott, the initiative aimed to make Texas the first state to build its own border wall.
The decision to defund the project was made without public debate in the final hours of the recent legislative session, leaving the future of the state wall uncertain. The completed sections are scattered and primarily located on large rural ranches, areas where illegal border crossings are less common and migrants can easily bypass the barriers, as reported by The Texas Tribune last year. The Tribune also estimated that completing the wall would take 30 years and cost over $20 billion.
State leaders have suggested the federal government might take over the effort. However, even during former President Donald Trump’s first term, when wall construction was a top priority, his administration completed only 21 miles in Texas—roughly one-third of what the state managed in four years.
In early June, lawmakers approved $3.4 billion for ongoing border security efforts, none of which will be allocated to the wall. State Sen. Joan Huffman, the lead budget writer, confirmed that these funds will instead go primarily to the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard, supporting Operation Lone Star, Abbott’s initiative for apprehending migrants. Huffman, a Republican from Houston, stated that border security should ideally be a federal responsibility.
Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s spokesman, indicated that the Trump administration’s efforts at the southern border have allowed Texas to adjust its own strategies, without specifically commenting on the border wall program. He affirmed that the military and public safety departments would continue their border-related missions and that Texas would maintain a strong presence with federal partners to address illegal immigration. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick did not respond to requests for comment.
The Texas Facilities Commission, tasked with building the wall, had aimed to construct at least 100 miles by the end of 2026. However, with only 83 miles left to complete from previous funding, and 65 miles already finished, work will continue only on segments currently under construction, with no new projects starting. Commission Executive Director Mike Novak did not respond to interview requests.
The border wall was a key policy achievement touted by Governor Abbott, who initiated the costly border crackdown during President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration. He held multiple press events promoting the 30-foot wall, which costs about $28 million per mile. Early in its construction, Abbott solicited donations for the wall via his official website, raising over $55 million, though the crowdfunding link was later removed.
The state keeps wall locations confidential, but a Tribune investigation last year revealed it is not a continuous structure but rather fragmented sections across six counties between Del Rio and Brownsville. A major impediment has been landowners who have refused to allow construction on their property, as nearly all Texas land bordering the Rio Grande is privately owned, and the Legislature prohibited the use of eminent domain for the wall. In November, a third of approached landowners declined to host the wall, and by March, 24% of property owners, representing 41 miles of desired wall route, still refused. A Republican state senator’s bill to allow eminent domain for the wall died in committee.
Border security experts noted that landowner resistance has caused construction to be dictated by land availability rather than strategic effectiveness. Most segments were built in rural ranch areas, whereas experts believe barriers would be more effective in urban areas where people could more easily disappear.
The federal government’s plans for continued wall construction are uncertain, and the Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment. While Trump has signaled that deporting undocumented immigrants is a higher priority for his second administration, his administration did award the first wall contract of his second term in March to build seven miles in Hidalgo County. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have used eminent domain to acquire land for border walls, though this process can take over two years.
Illegal border crossings have significantly declined since peaking in late 2023, with fewer than 13,000 monthly crossings since February, a drop of over 90% from two years prior.
Concerns regarding the efficacy and cost-benefit of the expensive state wall have been raised by Republican lawmakers. In 2023, before voting for $1.5 billion for the wall, Sen. Bob Hall questioned whether the Legislature was “spending a whole lot of money to give the appearance of doing something rather than taking the problem on to actually solve it.” Similarly, Republican Sen. Charles Perry likened endless spending on border infrastructure to being on a “hamster wheel,” stating that “At some point this state must draw a line in the sand.”
Judge Erika Ramirez made history in 2023 as the first Latina and woman elected to Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8. As she seeks reelection, her unique approach to justice continues breaking barriers while building bridges in the community.
“I’m reminded with every accomplishment that I have, there have been numerous Latinos and Latinas who have put in the work, the blood, sweat, and tears for me to be able to get to the spot. I’m incredibly grateful to them,” Judge Ramirez reflects on her groundbreaking role in an exclusive interview with Que Onda Magazine.
Judge Erika Ramirez with her husband Mauro, and their two rescue dogs, Paquita and Jalapeño.
From Social Work to the Bench
Judge Ramirez’s path wasn’t traditional. Raised by two social workers, she grew up hearing stories of public service and advocacy. Her parents’ dedication inspired her career path, leading her to work as a caseworker assistant in the district attorney’s domestic violence division.
“I saw some amazing attorneys. I saw amazing advocacy. I saw passion, folks who cared. That was it, the folks who cared. And it lit a fire in me,” she recalls. That fire led her to law school and eventually to the judiciary.
Creating a Respectful Courtroom
Serving Harris County’s 4.5 million residents across cases involving DWI, assault, theft, and other misdemeanors, Judge Ramirez has witnessed first-time offenders crying in her courtroom. She understands their fear.
“If you come into the Criminal Court system, especially if you come into Criminal Court at law #8, you are going to be respected in this process. I don’t care who you are. What alleged crime has been committed? Everyone deserves to be respected and be given a fair process,” she emphasizes.
Her approach focuses on constitutional rights and human dignity. “We all make mistakes. We want you to feel comfortable with coming through this process. If it’s being taken accountability, moving on and doing better, that’s what we want.”
The Power of Representation
As the first Latina judge in her position, Judge Ramirez carries the weight of representation. She recalls her law school experience: “I had a classmate whose grandfather’s portrait was on the wall, and I knew he belonged there because his grandpa was an attorney. His dad was an attorney, but who was I?”
The journey to belonging took time. “But I learned and I grew, but I did belong there and I had an impact to make.” Now, she hopes her presence inspires others: “I really hope that folks who see me think they can do it, and then I want them to surpass me. I really do. Because we all belong at the table.”
A Legacy of Resilience
Judge Ramirez’s commitment to dignity stems from deeply personal experiences. Her father was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) at age 19 and sent to live in Carville, Louisiana, separated from his family of 12 siblings.
“Keep in mind a small town 19 year old being sent to live in a different state with no family,” she describes. “Without due process, right. There was no cure at the time, so he had to endure experimental medications.”
Rather than becoming bitter, her parents transformed struggle into advocacy. Her father became a global advocate and licensed social worker. “They turned something that could have been anger into advocacy,” Judge Ramirez explains. “That struggle that my parents have been through… he still came out with love.”
Innovative Approaches
Since taking office, Judge Ramirez has reduced case backlogs, handled the most misdemeanor trials among all 16 courts, and been elected by colleagues to leadership as presiding judge.
Her approach to youthful offenders stands out. She personally follows up with young probationers through Zoom calls. She’s helped secure housing for one probationer and celebrated another’s GED completion. “For him to get that GED is… a piece of paper that can open up a lot of doors.”
Building Upon a SuccessfulTerm
Judge Ramirez’s reelection campaign focuses on expanding specialized justice programs. Her primary goal is helping Harris County create a specialty domestic violence court.
“Domestic violence impacts every single one of us,” she emphasizes, noting that “if a woman is murdered, it’s most likely done by the intimate partner.”
She also addresses Harris County’s DWI crisis, learning that “Texas accounts for 1/3 of the DWI fatalities in the entire nation.” While offenders “never had the intent to hurt anybody,” the reality is “you can kill a family.”
A Call to Unity and Action
Judge Ramirez’s message to the Latino community emphasizes unity: “We need to support each other… And if we support each other? We would be unstoppable.”
Her call extends to voting, inspired by the Hernandez v. Texas Supreme Court decision that fought systematic exclusion of Mexican Americans from jury service. “These people fought for us. And we owe it to them… to vote,” she urges. “Your voice is one voice. It matters. Every single voice matters.”
Judge Ramirez’s judicial philosophy is clear: “I think my approach is to be open minded… I’m willing to listen. Sometimes folks just want to be heard… I’m going to treat you fairly.”
As she seeks reelection, Judge Erika Ramirez continues ensuring Harris County’s criminal justice system serves everyone with dignity and fairness. “Everyone deserves to be respected and be given a fair process,” she concludes. “We all deserve that.”
For more on leaders of Houston’s Latino community like Judge Ramirez, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
