Author: Anna Wilkes

You are watching the State of Texas’s intense effort to recoup billions spent on border security from the federal government. The push reflects the significant burden Texas claims it carried when federal border enforcement lagged.  In this article, you will learn about the reimbursement mechanism, how much Texas says it spent, what legislation supports the claim, the status of the effort, and what it means for you and the state budget. What Texas Means by “Border Security Reimbursement” Texas seeks reimbursement for expenditures it believes the federal government should have borne. The state argues it stepped in to secure its…

You might ask whether the military can be used for border security in the United States. The issue involves law, policy, operational roles, and practical challenges tied to military involvement.  In this article, you will learn how the military can support border security, what legal limits exist, how current deployments work, what risks accompany military use at the border, and what alternatives might offer better results. What Does “Military for Border Security” Mean?  When you hear that the military is used for border security, it usually means that federal forces—active-duty or National Guard—are deployed to assist border-control agencies such as…

When the federal government shuts down, you might worry about whether your benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will be disrupted. WIC serves millions of low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five by providing supplemental foods, nutrition education, and health referrals.  Unlike entitlement programs like Social Security or Medicaid, WIC depends on annual appropriations and is therefore more vulnerable during budget impasses. In this article you will learn how WIC is funded, what happens when a shutdown occurs, how states manage during funding lapses, what to do if…

When the U.S. federal government enters a shutdown, the effects reach far beyond Washington, D.C. You feel it, your community feels it, and even your future plans can be disrupted in ways that are not always obvious at first.  A shutdown limits access to services, delays paychecks, slows the economy, and forces millions of Americans to adjust their daily routines. In this article you will learn how a shutdown impacts federal employees, contractors, public services, families, the economy, state governments, travelers, and businesses. You will also learn what to expect and how to prepare for disruptions that may affect your…

In the United States federal government, the start-up of October 2025 witnessed the longest funding lapse in modern history. What began as a disagreement over appropriations evolved into a 43-day standstill in government operations. In this article, you will learn how the shutdown unfolded, its major milestones, who was impacted, the economic toll, and the lessons it leaves behind. What Triggered the Shutdown The U.S. government’s fiscal year begins on October 1. Congress must pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution to keep spending legal. When the House and Senate failed to agree on one for the 2026 fiscal year,…

When it comes to home design, few features have as much impact as cabinetry. From the kitchen to the bathroom—and even into home offices or laundry rooms—well-designed cabinets define both the look and functionality of a space. While many homeowners gravitate toward ready-made options from big-box retailers, there’s a growing appreciation for the artistry and precision that come with working directly with a custom cabinet manufacturer. A custom cabinet manufacturer offers much more than simple storage solutions—they bring craftsmanship, technology, and design expertise together to transform your ideas into functional, long-lasting works of art. Here’s an inside look at how…

Cuando alguien pregunta qué es pareja de hecho en España, no se trata solo de una relación sentimental, sino de una figura legal que reconoce la convivencia estable entre dos personas sin necesidad de casarse. Este tipo de unión se ha convertido en una alternativa moderna al matrimonio, ofreciendo derechos y obligaciones similares, pero con mayor flexibilidad. España, reconocida por su legislación progresista en materia social, introdujo esta figura para adaptarse a los cambios en la estructura familiar. Con el paso del tiempo, la pareja de hecho se ha consolidado tanto entre parejas heterosexuales como homosexuales, permitiendo acceder a beneficios…

Ser residente legal en España no solo significa disfrutar de un permiso de estancia: implica también cumplir con una serie de obligaciones. Una de las preguntas más comunes entre los extranjeros que obtienen su TIE es cuánto tiempo puedo estar fuera de España con residencia. Esta duda surge especialmente cuando aparecen oportunidades laborales, compromisos familiares o largos viajes fuera del país. El error más frecuente consiste en pensar que la residencia permite ausentarse indefinidamente. En realidad, la legislación española impone límites estrictos al tiempo que puedes pasar fuera sin que se considere abandono. Ignorar estos plazos puede ocasionar consecuencias graves:…

The Trump administration has taken a controversial approach to the ongoing government shutdown, tying it directly to sweeping workforce layoffs. Federal workers across multiple agencies face an uncertain future, with the White House signaling the most aggressive staff reductions in decades. Supporters of the plan argue it is a step toward efficiency, while critics warn of chaos and long-lasting damage. In this article, you will learn why the layoffs are happening, which agencies are most affected, the political motivations behind the move, and the broader economic and social consequences. Shutdown Sparks Layoff Fears This shutdown is one of the most…

Cuando una persona presenta una solicitud ante la oficina de extranjería, espera que su expediente sea revisado y resuelto en un plazo razonable. Sin embargo, una de las situaciones más frustrantes que enfrentan los extranjeros en España es cuando pasan los meses y no llega ninguna respuesta oficial. La pregunta inevitable es: ¿que pasa si extranjería no responde en 3 meses? Este escenario no solo genera incertidumbre personal, sino también problemas legales y administrativos. En el sistema jurídico español, el tiempo de respuesta de la administración no es opcional: está regulado por la Ley 39/2015, de Procedimiento Administrativo Común, que…