@AP journalist covering immigration and border issues from the Rio Grande Valley • formerly @monitornews • vgonzalez@ap.org • DMs open • Signal: ValGonzalez.03
Joined February 2014
- Tweets 10,687
- Following 1,283
- Followers 11,310
- Likes 27,681
2,430 Photos and videos
NEW: Organizations that give legal assistance to kids who came to the U.S. alone said ICE & HHS agents tried to enter their offices in what the groups described as part of a campaign to intimidate legal services providers.
At least 3 orgs had such visits.
apnews.com/article/border-im…
17
13
837
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
Jun 2
NEWS: Across the U.S., hundreds of people in ICE detention allege in lawsuits that their medical needs were neglected, including serious conditions like cancer, heart disease and infections.
Vital story by @raelnb @renurayasam @maia_rosenfeld and @AP.
kffhealthnews.org/courts/ice…
1
6
5
597
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
HAPPENING NOW: SB lane of US 281 6 miles North of Linn is closed due to a Tractor-trailer on fire. Tractor trailer was involved in human smuggling and was being pursued by law enforcement.
9
12
1,718
On my off-time, I made our fajita a Fiesta-inspired Spurs jersey to let her show off her love of the game. 🏀⛹️♀️
She’s ready for Game 2!
2
2
18
588
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
NEW: The Trump administration has separated dozens of children from their families for a second time, @AP finds.
My latest, with @lanegrisgt.
apnews.com/article/immigrati…
1
48
51
6,541
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
But a desal plant won't help the city through its immediate emergency: water demand is expected to surpass supply by summer 2027.
Only lots of rain - lots of it - can keep Corpus from becoming the first U.S. city to run short of water.
texastribune.org/2026/05/29/…
Corpus Christi city council will be discussing today whether to revive efforts to build a desalination plant to turn seawater drinkable -- an expensive, ambitious and controversial endeavor.
texastribune.org/2026/06/01/…
7
11
42
7,240
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
Recently detained DACA recipient joins California senator for immigration discussion | #RGV
myrgv.com/local-news/2026/05…
1
1
318
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
Harlingen construction boom slowing pace amid ICE raids | #RGV
myrgv.com/local-news/2026/05…
5
2
365
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
May 27
Arrests under Texas’ controversial SB4 law begin in Rio Grande Valley | #RGV
myrgv.com/local-news/2026/05…
2
3
8
2,574
Voting line in McAllen at Lark Community Center at 6:40 pm is pretty long as we head into 7 pm. 👀🗳️
3
7
577
Thoroughly fun read.
A group of second and third graders in McAlllen ISD listened to evidence against the “Big Bad Wolf” and delivered a surprising acquittal.
Via @MyRGVNews
myrgv.com/local-news/2026/05…
4
306
Detained DACA recipient with valid status through June 2027 set to be released today from ICE custody, according to @immigrattorney.
✍️ story by @ocnarfjimenez
May 21
Valley DACA recipient to be released from ICE custody, attorney says | #RGV
myrgv.com/local-news/2026/05…
1
4
14
2,010
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
May 19
No end to the praise for @godovasquez by anyone who worked with him: Kind, generous, amazingly talented, detailed to a fault.
That the @AP laid him off will never make sense.
Please donate to his cause & photo editors, you have a GREAT ONE
PLIS donate: gofundme.com/f/support-godof…
May 18
The AP made the insane decision to lay off @godovasquez, one of the most talented photojournalists around
Support him here (and if you’re a hiring manager, grab him before someone else does)
gofundme.com/f/support-godof…
11
16
5,495
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
May 16
After nearly 27 years as a reporter for the Associated Press, my time with the company has abruptly come to an end. I was part of a group of AP employees around the country who were laid off today. I was hoping I could survive layoffs after buyouts but it was not to be. (1/ 7)
75
384
2,922
280,360
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
May 15
1/3
On May 15, Associated Press leadership cut 20 guild covered staff. Layoffs included U.S. news, photographers, investigations, business and sports across 12 states.
11
136
148
155,828
NEW: Port Isabel Housing Authority bungled a message to residents in Feb. indicating a proposed rule ending housing assistance to mixed-status families was taking effect.
What happened next offers a glimpse of the impact rule would have if it takes hold.
apnews.com/article/immigrati…
2
4
8
1,852
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which advocates for low-income families, estimates 79,600 people could be forced to leave their homes, with a disproportionate impact on children and Latinos.
HUD collected public comments. If finalized, legal challenges are expected.
1
133
PIHA asked residents for two things HUD does not yet require:
-citizenship documentation only
-docs from assistance-ineligible residents
A follow-up letter tried walking it back, but it was too late.
PIHA occupancy rate plummeted from 91% to 43%. The national avg. is 94%.
1
159
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
May 15
Lots of news happened in TX public safety today @texastribune: Key parts of a TX law that allows state & local police to arrest people suspected of having crossed the southern border illegally is halted, 1 day before it was set to take effect. shorturl.at/edD2K
1
13
18
2,574
Valerie Gonzalez retweeted
May 14
Midland Mayor: 6M barrels/day of Permian oil production comes with 32M barrels of wastewater
That's 1.3 BILLION GALLONS PER DAY of wastewater
(Context: the Coastal Bend region of Texas consumes up to 120M gal/day)
“We truly have water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink”
5
25
66
13,998