Important immigration law development: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Aristeo Ceron-Morales (48, Sarasota) with unlawful possession of a firearm and illegal reentry. If convicted on all counts, Ceron-Morales faces a maximum penalty of 17 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ceron-Morales that the United States intends to forfeit a Sig Sauer P226 firearm, a Savage 410 shotgun, Hornady 9 mm ammunition, and Remington .38 ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
Important immigration law development: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Theron Marquale Mathews (37, New Port Richey) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of 400 grams or more of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court previously entered an order of forfeiture for three firearms and $41,176 in proceeds from drug trafficking crimes. Mathews pled guilty on March 11, 2025.
Important immigration law development: Playing baseball in college, and now Wiffle ball in a local league, has taught me that teamwork, mental endurance and emotional intelligence are not only important to success in the sport, but also to success as a trial attorney, says Kevan Dorsey at Swift Currie.
Important immigration law development: This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payment rates for meals and snacks served in child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, and adult day care centers; the food service payment rates for meals and snacks served in day care homes; and the administrative reimbursement rates for sponsoring organizations of day care homes, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect the higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The adjustments contained in this notice are made on an annual basis each July, as required by the laws and regulations governing the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Important immigration law development: This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the Federal Government provides States for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from Federal funds that a State can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. The annual payments and rates adjustments for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs reflect changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustment for the Special Milk Program reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each July.
Important immigration law development: The Coast Guard proposes changing the operating schedule that governs the SE 17th Street (Brooks Memorial) Bridge, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), mile 1065.9, at Fort Lauderdale, FL. The City of Fort Lauderdale requested the Coast Guard consider changing the operating regulation by placing additional opening restrictions during weekday rush hour periods to assist with vehicle congestion. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Important immigration law development: The Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Important immigration law development: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that critical circumstances do not exist with respect to imports of float glass products in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of float glass products from Malaysia. The period of investigation is January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
Important immigration law development: FAA is amending rules for the manufacture, certification, operation, maintenance, and alteration of light-sport aircraft. The amendments enable enhancements in safety and performance and increase privileges under a number of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules. These enhancements include increasing suitability for flight training, limited aerial work, and personal travel. This final rule expands what aircraft sport pilots may operate. This final rule also amends the special purpose operations for restricted category aircraft; amends the duration, eligible purposes, and operating limitations for experimental aircraft; and adds operating limitations applicable to experimental aircraft engaged in space support vehicle flights to codify statutory language.
Important immigration law development: This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.
Important immigration law development: This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Texas (FEMA- 4879-DR), dated July 6, 2025. Incident: Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding.
Important immigration law development: The owner of a small Massachusetts construction business who is being held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody may not be moved out of the state while a federal judge considers if the government is violating a January settlement by trying to deport him, according to a Wednesday court order.
New NC law or policy affecting immigrants: <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Governor Stein, Department of Environmental Quality Announce $204 Million for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lsaito</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-07-23T09:59:08-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 09:59" class="datetime">Wed, 07/23/2025 - 09:59</time>
</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-city-location field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Raleigh, NC</div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Governor Josh Stein announced today that 27 counties across the state will receive more than $204 million in funding for 48 drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The awards will improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, address PFAS and other forever chemicals, identify and replace lead pipes, and improve resiliency after future storms.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">“When you turn on the faucet in your home, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether that water is safe for your family,” <strong>said Governor Josh Stein.</strong> “These investments will help ensure North Carolinians have access to clean drinking water and will help keep people safe when disaster strikes." <o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">“At DEQ, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in North Carolina has access to clean water,” <strong>said Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson. </strong>“This funding will address aging infrastructure and improve public health for communities large and small.”<o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">Notable projects include:<o:p></o:p></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Town of Bryson City (Swain County) </strong>will receive $9.2 million in Clean Water State Revolving Funds for wastewater treatment plant improvements.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Town of Waynesville (Haywood County) </strong>will receive $8.2 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for improvements to the Little Champion Gravity Sewer and Pump Station.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The City of Graham (Alamance County) </strong>will receive $3.4 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund-Emerging Contaminant (PFAS) Construction funding for Graham-Mebane Water Treatment Plant improvements. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (Cumberland County)</strong> will receive $20.5 million from IIJA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Emerging Contaminant (PFAS) Construction funding for the P.O. Hoffer / Glenville Lake Water Treatment Plant Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) facility.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Town of River Bend (Craven County)</strong> will receive $6.3 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for Phase II drinking water improvements.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Martin County Regional Water and Sewer Authority</strong> will receive $1 million in IIJA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund-Emerging Contaminant (PFAS) Construction funding for GAC filters for PFAS removal. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The City of Lenoir (Caldwell County)</strong> will receive $5.6 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for Lower Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Process Basin Improvements. Lenoir will also receive $1 million in IIJA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line funding for its Lead Service Line Inventory Phase 3 project. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The City of Lexington (Davidson County) </strong>will receive $13.7 million in Clean Water State Revolving Funds for the Lexington Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Solids Handling Improvements project.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The City of Henderson (Vance County)</strong> will receive $10.7 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the Sandy Creek Pump Station and Force Main project.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Town of Warrenton (Warren County)</strong> will receive $10 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for its Phase IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The City of Sanford (Lee County)</strong> will receive $7.3 million in Clean Water State Revolving Funds for its Dry Creek Basin Sewer Rehabilitation project and $1 million each for its Sanford/TriRiver Water/Chatham County and Sanford/TriRiver Water/Siler City Lead Service Line Inventory projects.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>The Pfeiffer-North Stanly Water Association (Stanly County) </strong>will receive $4.9 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for its N. Main Street and Old 52 waterline replacement project.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;tab-stops:list .5in;"><strong>Carolina Water Service, Inc. </strong>will receive a total of $5.5 million for six projects involving PFAS-related, lead service line identification or water line-related funding in Cumberland, Gaston, Moore and Pender counties.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">A <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deq.nc.gov%2Fwater-infrastructure%2Fjuly-2025-award-spreadsheet%2Fdownload%3Fattachment%3D&data=05%7C02%7Clogan.saito%40nc.gov%7C44b7690e216344b0e26808ddc9f0846e%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638888757034093701%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yS6oZDFpL6ti8Z6WyANs3Xf2sTb2GMXllwiKRG31YII%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">list of all projects selected for funding</a> is available on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) website.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">NCDEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure reviewed 133 eligible applications, which requested a total of $1.57 billion. The <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick-1346310.icptrack.com%2Ficp%2Frelay.php%3Fr%3D42059804%26msgid%3D522264%26act%3D93CF%26c%3D1346310%26pid%3D1138083%26destination%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.deq.nc.gov%252Fabout%252Fdivisions%252Fwater-infrastructure%252Fstate-water-infrastructure-authority%26cf%3D13425%26v%3Df9d109a0eabcfb138bfed693ca6127bef5a3f206e36752f3370a748d1ae590cb&data=05%7C02%7Clogan.saito%40nc.gov%7C44b7690e216344b0e26808ddc9f0846e%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638888757034108339%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vpJp52srsw%2BkTNl1pe3z6IPyRitaOOnsKlFPFuYRIYU%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">State Water Infrastructure Authority</a> approved the awards during its <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deq.nc.gov%2Fnews%2Fevents%2Fstate-water-infrastructure-authority-meeting-july-16-2025&data=05%7C02%7Clogan.saito%40nc.gov%7C44b7690e216344b0e26808ddc9f0846e%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638888757034121957%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZkI41gMxTGtEpYmk4bSfGQ2BisDnL6BoK%2FLVQq1CiaY%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">July 16 meeting</a>. The Authority is an independent body with primary responsibility for awarding federal and state funding for water infrastructure projects. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">Funding this round came from the State Revolving Funds, including IIJA funds. The State Revolving Funds provide low-interest loans that may be partially forgiven for drinking water and wastewater projects. State Revolving Funds are funded by federal capitalization grants and revolving loan repayments. This round included IIJA Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) funds and IIJA Lead Service Line Replacement funds. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">The Division of Water Infrastructure’s Fall 2025 funding round begins July 29. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 30, 2025. Funding for the Fall 2025 round will come from multiple existing programs, including evaluating options to address PFAS contamination, identifying and replacing lead service lines, and Viable Utility Reserve grants. The Viable Utility Reserve provides grants to local government units that are designated as Distressed for planning and construction projects that will support the long-term viability of the utility. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">In addition, the Division will accept applications on a rolling basis for the new federal supplemental appropriations from the 2025 American Relief Act to build resilience to infrastructure for Hurricane Helene-impacted communities. Helene State Revolving Fund supplemental funds for western North Carolina towns that have experienced Helene damage will continue to be available through year-round applications starting at the end of July until 2026. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">The Division of Water Infrastructure will conduct in-person <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deq.nc.gov%2Fabout%2Fdivisions%2Fwater-infrastructure%2Ffall-2025-application-training-ebs-training-and-water-wastewater-energy-efficiency-training-etc&data=05%7C02%7Clogan.saito%40nc.gov%7C44b7690e216344b0e26808ddc9f0846e%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638888757034135198%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J0sJo7iVLDtO0bXDa02CkIrRTknW96CyIKEcjmSolco%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">funding application training</a> for the Fall 2025 funding round at six locations: Clyde, Hickory, Boone, Fayetteville, Winterville, and Research Triangle Park/Durham. A virtual option via Webex will also be available, and a recording of the training will be posted on the Division’s <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deq.nc.gov%2Fabout%2Fdivisions%2Fwater-infrastructure%2Ffall-2025-application-training-ebs-training-and-water-wastewater-energy-efficiency-training-etc&data=05%7C02%7Clogan.saito%40nc.gov%7C44b7690e216344b0e26808ddc9f0846e%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638888757034148553%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2BlL3Cp0gNY44akDFDO2M2%2FzZWPA9qjfR1wSoJxR6ims%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">training web page</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:12.0pt;">Learn more about the Division of Water Infrastructure’s funding programs <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deq.nc.gov%2Fabout%2Fdivisions%2Fwater-infrastructure&data=05%7C02%7Clogan.saito%40nc.gov%7C44b7690e216344b0e26808ddc9f0846e%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638888757034162165%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y5ZV%2BBazwHtQj9ThJCrSOgA3Wni43avw3fQuUnta3i0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p></div>
<div class="field field--name-field-release-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">Jul 23, 2025</div>
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Important immigration law development: A Miami man was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing millions of dollars in assets and income in undisclosed Swiss bank accounts and claiming to the IRS that those assets were not his and instead belonged to foreign nationals.
Important immigration law development: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Brian Keith Speights (68, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to escaping from federal custody at a halfway house in Jacksonville. At sentencing, Speights will face up to five years in prison. Speights was arrested on January 20, 2025, in Jacksonville and has been in federal custody since that time.