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Aftermath of Uvalde’s Heartbreaking Massacre

Fisayo Okare

May 27, 2022

Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas

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This summary about the Uvalde massacre was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here.

This week ends on a sad note as residents in Uvalde, a largely Mexican American town where more than 80% of citizens identify as Hispanic, grapple with the loss of 19 children and two teachers from one of the deadliest school attacks ever recorded. 

Over 90% of students that attend Robb Elementary School, where the Uvalde massacre happened, are also Hispanic, and about 81% are economically disadvantaged. Residents and city officials have said most of the town’s population were born in the U.S., with deep ties to the region’s ranching history.

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Agents from a unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection were among the first responders to the scene of the shooting, and an agent killed the shooter. Following questions about why border patrol agents were on the scene, Homeland Security released a statement clarifying that emergency response sites such as the ones in Uvalde are classified as protected areas where ICE and CBP agents generally do not conduct immigration arrests. Agents who responded to the shooting are among the most highly trained agents in the federal government as they typically track smugglers, serve high-risk warrants, and raid stash houses. They also have a history with accusations of human rights violations.

Since the incident, obituaries have been written, donations and help organized, and lots of condolences shared. 

Details of the attack are still emerging, and criticisms are rising from parents and witnesses who said officers could have responded sooner.

Advocates for stricter gun laws have also pushed lawmakers to take action, as reducing mass shootings poses an impossible situation if Americans continue to buy more guns, and as the government enables easy access to weapons. The gunman of this week’s attack purchased two AR-15s days after he turned 18.

Gov. Gregg Abbott condemned the mass shooting — the sixth that has occurred in his 7.5 years ruling Texas. But his speech lacked concrete recommendations as to how his state could prevent future mass shootings. 

The U.S. Senate left for a Memorial Day recess yesterday without passing legislation to address the mass shootings, but added they could be a possible compromise on gun laws as discussions continue over the break. Read details as they emerge here.

Thoughts on the aftermath of the Uvalde massacre? Let us know.

STORIES WE ARE FOLLOWING 

New York

NY immigrants demand legislators increase deportation protections:

Outside the New York Capitol, advocates demanded the Senate pass the New York for All Act and the Stop Immigration Bond Abuse Act by next week. — Spectrum News

Adams announces street vending regulations reform:

New report from the Street Vendor Advisory Board recommends repealing bookkeeping requirements and criminal penalties and simplifying requirements for display of goods. — Read more

Over half of Chinese Americans in NYC and California experienced discrimination in 2021, report finds 

Eight in 10 Chinese Americans experienced high levels of racism, including being called a racial slur or facing verbal threats, a Columbia University study found. — Download reports in Chinese and English

NYPD searching for man with hatchet who attacked delivery worker:

The incident happened on 26th street and 6th Ave., and is one of many violent attacks delivery workers have experienced on the job this year. — Daily News

Around the U.S. 

Immigrants sue USCIS for leaving citizenship applications in limbo:

Immigrants say the federal government has not prioritized retrieving needed files and the scheduling of applicants’ interviews. — American Immigration Council

Border Patrol agent’s “use of force” led to the death of a Mexican national, CBP says: 

This marks the second death related to agents’ use of force in the Douglas Border Patrol sector in 2022. — azcentral

Spike in Caribbean maritime migration echoes U.S. history:

The U.S. Coast Guard interdicted more Haitians at sea in FY 2021 than during any previous full fiscal year since 1994. — Migration Policy

Maine plans to fund new shelter for displayed asylum seekers:

The state plans to fund an emergency shelter and renovated housing, with the state covering rent for up to two years. — AP News

Over 800 Haitians trying to reach the U.S. ended up instead in Cuba:

The group included 70 children and 97 women, and reportedly appears to be the largest group seen in an increasing number of migrants fleeing crises in Haiti. — AP News

Washington D.C.

Large-scale miscarriages of justice found in sped-up immigration proceedings:

A report identifies deficiencies in the Biden administration’s proceedings for families seeking asylum — UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy

Fisayo Okare

Fisayo writes Documented’s "Early Arrival" newsletter and "Our City" column. She is an MSc. graduate of Columbia Journalism School, New York, and earned her BSc. degree in Mass Comm. from Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

@fisvyo

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