Immigration, border agencies defend handling of family separations

WASHINGTON - Immigration officials defended the integrity of their agencies' handling of family separations at the border, with one witness telling a Senate panel Tuesday that Border Patrol agents don't leave their "humanity behind when we report for duty."


Analysts downplay Trump threat to shut down government over immigration

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump repeated a threat to shut down the government this fall if Congress does not approve the immigration reforms he wants, including funding for a border wall, but analysts say the threat is likely little more than a political ploy.


Cardinals take chance on German football player’s dream to play in the NFL

The Arizona Cardinals signed German Football League player Moubarak Djeri as a free agent despite his limited football experience. He came from Germany to tryout for the team, and impressed coaches and scouts.


Court rejects ICE probe sparked by Maricopa deputies’ illegal search

WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court overturned immigration violations against a Valley business, saying that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation of the firm was tainted by an illegal 2013 raid by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.


Border Patrol official says Guard deployment has had ‘tremendous value’

WASHINGTON - The chief of the U.S. Border Patrol's Tucson sector told a lawmakers that the deployment of more than 600 National Guard troops to Arizona's border has had "tremendous value" for border agents, but critics said the troops are being "misspent on political show."


Lori Piestewa, 11 others to be inducted into first Native American Hall of Fame in October

The first National Native American Hall of Fame will induct 12 honorees in October. Arizona’s Lori Piestewa is among those who will be celebrated.


‘Everyone can see themselves in Barbie’: Iconic doll better reflects global diversity

PHOENIX – Mattel, like many companies adapting to a multicultural world, has been working to diversify the shape, races, ethnicities and occupation of Barbies.


After seven weeks apart in Arizona, migrant family reunited in D.C.

WASHINGTON - With a bouquet of roses and open arms, Miguel Calix waited nervously at Washington-Reagan National airport for his wife, daughter and stepdaughter to arrive on a flight from Phoenix, where they had been separated and detained after trying to cross the border and seek asylum from Honduras.


‘It doesn’t matter where children are born’: Migrant foster program may relaunch in Phoenix

FLAGSTAFF – Refugio, a Neighborhood Ministries program, allowed foster parents in cities across the U.S. to care for unaccompanied minors. The yearlong program ended three years ago but organization leaders are trying to revive the program in Phoenix.


As fentanyl overdoses rise, cartels are eager to funnel more of it through Arizona

Federal and state authorities continue to battle Mexican drug cartels as the opioid epidemic is fueled by the lethal synthetic opioid fentanyl.


Ducey: AZ will spend $2.9 million to fight border-related crime

Gov. Doug Ducey said the state will spend $2.9 million in 2019 on an ongoing multiagency effort to stop drug trafficking and human smuggling at the border.


Report: Hispanic motorists in Maricopa County still arrested, searched more often

New data on the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office shows racially biased policing has continued, even as some Latino elected leaders in NALEO say the state’s reputation is improving.