1 00:00:08,670 --> 00:00:10,309 Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2 00:00:10,310 --> 00:00:11,669 operations have been happening in 3 00:00:11,670 --> 00:00:13,549 Austin and Central Texas in recent 4 00:00:13,550 --> 00:00:15,329 weeks, and during this past 5 00:00:15,330 --> 00:00:16,749 weekend's weather event, local 6 00:00:16,750 --> 00:00:18,649 officials had to dispel rumors of a 7 00:00:18,650 --> 00:00:20,089 large-scale enforcement operation 8 00:00:20,090 --> 00:00:21,329 here in Austin. 9 00:00:21,330 --> 00:00:22,349 The lack of information and 10 00:00:22,350 --> 00:00:23,369 communication around these 11 00:00:23,370 --> 00:00:25,029 operations is causing panic and 12 00:00:25,030 --> 00:00:27,269 anxiety that can boil beyond social 13 00:00:27,270 --> 00:00:28,669 media. We're going to have more 14 00:00:28,670 --> 00:00:29,649 about that. 15 00:00:29,650 --> 00:00:31,049 And Governor Greg Abbott is freezing 16 00:00:31,050 --> 00:00:33,189 new H-1B visa applications 17 00:00:33,190 --> 00:00:35,229 until 2027, 18 00:00:35,230 --> 00:00:36,819 with some exceptions. 19 00:00:36,820 --> 00:00:37,999 The move is the latest in the 20 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,599 administration's scrutiny of foreign 21 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:41,619 workers employed at taxpayer-funded 22 00:00:41,620 --> 00:00:42,959 institutions. 23 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:44,479 More about the order on today's 24 00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:45,019 show. 25 00:00:45,020 --> 00:00:46,919 The Austin Signal is a production 26 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,019 of KUT News, hosted by 27 00:00:49,020 --> 00:00:49,979 Jerry Quijano. 28 00:00:49,980 --> 00:00:51,239 And we're less than a month away 29 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:53,359 from the start of the new Austin FC 30 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:54,239 season. 31 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:55,339 We'll talk about the team's off 32 00:00:55,340 --> 00:00:57,379 season moves today on Austin 33 00:00:57,380 --> 00:00:58,380 Signal. 34 00:01:09,250 --> 00:01:10,309 Howdy out there. 35 00:01:10,310 --> 00:01:11,949 This is Austin Signal. 36 00:01:11,950 --> 00:01:13,569 Thank you for making us part of your 37 00:01:13,570 --> 00:01:16,269 day. It's Wednesday, January 28th. 38 00:01:16,270 --> 00:01:18,089 I'm your host, Jerry Kehannel. 39 00:01:18,090 --> 00:01:20,769 Let's get started with today's show. 40 00:01:20,770 --> 00:01:22,069 While trying to get out information 41 00:01:22,070 --> 00:01:23,689 about the inclement winter weather 42 00:01:23,690 --> 00:01:25,569 over the weekend, local officials 43 00:01:25,570 --> 00:01:27,529 also had to put out information to 44 00:01:27,530 --> 00:01:28,889 dispel rumors about a major 45 00:01:28,890 --> 00:01:30,529 immigration and customs enforcement 46 00:01:30,530 --> 00:01:32,959 operation here in Austin. 47 00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:34,459 For more about how that situation 48 00:01:34,460 --> 00:01:35,959 evolved, we're chatting with 49 00:01:35,960 --> 00:01:37,639 Emiliano Tahui Gomez. 50 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:39,679 He covers immigration and Latinos at 51 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,519 the Austin American Statesman. 52 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,659 Hi, Emiliano. Thanks for joining us. 53 00:01:43,660 --> 00:01:44,739 Thanks for having me, Jerry. 54 00:01:44,740 --> 00:01:46,399 Now, we know that there are real ICE 55 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,019 operations happening across central 56 00:01:48,020 --> 00:01:50,519 Texas. We have seen that play out. 57 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:51,779 What sparked the discussion about 58 00:01:51,780 --> 00:01:53,159 this planned major event that was 59 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:54,299 supposed to take place in Austin 60 00:01:54,300 --> 00:01:55,779 over the weekend? 61 00:01:55,780 --> 00:01:57,239 Yeah, that's a great question. 62 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,119 I think the source of these 63 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:00,959 claims are 64 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,179 still not completely clear, 65 00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:05,199 but we do know, I mean, I know that 66 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:06,799 they were around at least since 67 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:07,979 Thursday of last week. 68 00:02:07,980 --> 00:02:09,059 I know I started seeing them on 69 00:02:09,060 --> 00:02:10,819 Friday, although rumors and claims 70 00:02:10,820 --> 00:02:12,699 about ice being here or there are, 71 00:02:12,700 --> 00:02:14,039 as you know, very common here as 72 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:14,979 they are elsewhere in the United 73 00:02:14,980 --> 00:02:15,980 States. 74 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:17,879 But they really did seem to pick up 75 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:19,099 steam this time. I mean they were 76 00:02:19,100 --> 00:02:21,279 shared by a lot of 77 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:22,699 prominent individuals on social 78 00:02:22,700 --> 00:02:25,649 media and from food influencers to 79 00:02:25,650 --> 00:02:26,929 a prominent immigration attorney 80 00:02:26,930 --> 00:02:28,829 here in Austin, and they largely 81 00:02:28,830 --> 00:02:30,629 revolved around two claims, which 82 00:02:30,630 --> 00:02:32,329 were that one, that ICE had checked 83 00:02:32,330 --> 00:02:34,509 out a big block of rooms in 84 00:02:34,510 --> 00:02:36,589 a downtown hotel, and two, 85 00:02:36,590 --> 00:02:37,729 that people were seeing ICE 86 00:02:37,730 --> 00:02:39,829 arresting service workers after 87 00:02:39,830 --> 00:02:40,849 work on Friday night. 88 00:02:40,850 --> 00:02:42,669 And so, because those two 89 00:02:42,670 --> 00:02:43,949 claims were being so widely shared, 90 00:02:43,950 --> 00:02:45,049 and because they were such a similar 91 00:02:45,050 --> 00:02:46,949 claim, you know, 92 00:02:46,950 --> 00:02:48,749 we at the States began to kind of 93 00:02:48,750 --> 00:02:49,809 try to track that out and make sense 94 00:02:49,810 --> 00:02:51,889 of, you know why were these 95 00:02:51,890 --> 00:02:53,469 claims picking up a lot of speed and 96 00:02:53,470 --> 00:02:55,669 how much validity or soundness... 97 00:02:55,670 --> 00:02:56,709 Was there to them. 98 00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:58,049 And what did y'all find? 99 00:02:58,050 --> 00:02:59,109 We reached out to a lot of the 100 00:02:59,110 --> 00:03:00,909 people who had made these claims and 101 00:03:00,910 --> 00:03:02,409 were often told that it was coming 102 00:03:02,410 --> 00:03:03,369 from a friend that they had heard 103 00:03:03,370 --> 00:03:05,289 from, so a sort of chain of 104 00:03:05,290 --> 00:03:06,189 people having heard from other 105 00:03:06,190 --> 00:03:07,089 people. 106 00:03:07,090 --> 00:03:08,129 And then we began to reach out also 107 00:03:08,130 --> 00:03:09,909 to local elected officials. 108 00:03:09,910 --> 00:03:11,749 The first who spoke to me, 109 00:03:11,750 --> 00:03:12,949 Councilman Chito Vela, who you know 110 00:03:12,950 --> 00:03:14,589 represents the very immigrant heavy 111 00:03:14,590 --> 00:03:17,009 North Austin part of the city, 112 00:03:17,010 --> 00:03:18,109 and Vela said he had spent the whole 113 00:03:18,110 --> 00:03:19,689 Saturday as well after noticing this 114 00:03:19,690 --> 00:03:21,329 large number of claims, reaching out 115 00:03:21,330 --> 00:03:23,189 to people in downtown hotels, 116 00:03:23,190 --> 00:03:24,389 businesses, trying to make sense of 117 00:03:24,390 --> 00:03:25,599 things themselves. He's a former 118 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:26,819 immigration attorney reaching out to 119 00:03:26,820 --> 00:03:28,959 other immigration attorneys and 120 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:30,559 that by Saturday he was pretty 121 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:31,839 convinced that those weren't true, 122 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:33,319 that this had been information that 123 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,159 had picked up a lot 124 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:37,559 of attention because of the 125 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:38,839 fraughtness, I think, of the moment. 126 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,299 People were at home and people were 127 00:03:40,300 --> 00:03:41,759 turning their eyes to the news and 128 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:42,579 seeing what was happening in 129 00:03:42,580 --> 00:03:43,439 Minneapolis. Absolutely. And as you 130 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,359 and I know, Minneapolis for the 131 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:46,839 last week has really been the center 132 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:47,879 point of national tension. 133 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:49,779 And we see extreme 134 00:03:49,780 --> 00:03:51,939 amounts of 135 00:03:51,940 --> 00:03:53,959 conflict between local residents 136 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:55,829 and the large 137 00:03:55,830 --> 00:03:56,929 number of federal immigration agents 138 00:03:56,930 --> 00:03:58,449 that are there, and that has even 139 00:03:58,450 --> 00:04:00,389 led to the fatal killing of 140 00:04:00,390 --> 00:04:01,209 a man there. 141 00:04:01,210 --> 00:04:03,509 And amid all this uncertainty 142 00:04:03,510 --> 00:04:05,349 and misinformation, possibly on 143 00:04:05,350 --> 00:04:07,309 social media or this 144 00:04:07,310 --> 00:04:09,129 searching for real information 145 00:04:09,130 --> 00:04:11,049 from city officials, 146 00:04:11,050 --> 00:04:13,029 what do we actually know about if 147 00:04:13,030 --> 00:04:14,509 ICE operations are taking place? 148 00:04:14,510 --> 00:04:16,309 Do we know anything concrete in 149 00:04:16,310 --> 00:04:18,489 terms of those operations right now? 150 00:04:18,490 --> 00:04:19,729 Yeah, I mean, I should be clear. 151 00:04:19,730 --> 00:04:21,069 So then as you know, as you and I 152 00:04:21,070 --> 00:04:21,929 were discussing kind of what 153 00:04:21,930 --> 00:04:23,549 happened this weekend, the city on 154 00:04:23,550 --> 00:04:25,569 Saturday evening, the mayor, 155 00:04:25,570 --> 00:04:27,330 Police Chief Davis came out and, you 156 00:04:27,331 --> 00:04:29,089 know and tried to really hold strong 157 00:04:29,090 --> 00:04:30,069 and said, you know, we've been in 158 00:04:30,070 --> 00:04:31,409 touch with ICE. We've we've heard 159 00:04:31,410 --> 00:04:32,569 what people are saying. 160 00:04:32,570 --> 00:04:34,749 We have really tried to 161 00:04:34,750 --> 00:04:35,989 sort this out and we are being 162 00:04:35,990 --> 00:04:37,689 assured this is not happening. 163 00:04:37,690 --> 00:04:38,789 Right. 164 00:04:38,790 --> 00:04:40,789 But seemingly residents were not 165 00:04:40,790 --> 00:04:42,629 immediately assured by those 166 00:04:42,630 --> 00:04:43,909 sorts of statements. 167 00:04:43,910 --> 00:04:45,569 Right. And I think that speaks very 168 00:04:45,570 --> 00:04:47,769 strongly to the complete collapse of 169 00:04:47,770 --> 00:04:49,129 trust. 170 00:04:49,130 --> 00:04:50,729 That you see in a liberal city like 171 00:04:50,730 --> 00:04:51,829 Austin with the federal government 172 00:04:51,830 --> 00:04:53,009 and its communication, right? 173 00:04:53,010 --> 00:04:54,989 But I think that distrust 174 00:04:54,990 --> 00:04:56,409 comes from the fact that A, ICE is 175 00:04:56,410 --> 00:04:58,249 uncommunicative and has been proven 176 00:04:58,250 --> 00:05:00,109 by the media in many instances 177 00:05:00,110 --> 00:05:01,909 to provide inaccurate or false 178 00:05:01,910 --> 00:05:02,849 information, right. 179 00:05:02,850 --> 00:05:04,669 And I think it also comes from 180 00:05:04,670 --> 00:05:06,289 that fact that they are not wrong to 181 00:05:06,290 --> 00:05:08,509 think that ICE is in Austin. 182 00:05:08,510 --> 00:05:10,269 I mean, we've done reporting that 183 00:05:10,270 --> 00:05:11,469 outlets like yourselves have done 184 00:05:11,470 --> 00:05:12,829 have shown that ICE has very much 185 00:05:12,830 --> 00:05:14,769 been in the city through the past 12 186 00:05:14,770 --> 00:05:16,709 months. I think the strongest 187 00:05:16,710 --> 00:05:18,719 evidence that we see of that is 188 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,659 their collaboration with 189 00:05:20,660 --> 00:05:21,539 the Texas Department of Public 190 00:05:21,540 --> 00:05:23,179 Safety, the state troopers, 191 00:05:23,180 --> 00:05:25,079 particularly in immigrant-heavy 192 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:26,919 parts of the city, like the Rumbert 193 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:28,019 Lamar corridor. 194 00:05:28,020 --> 00:05:30,019 I know we wrote last year about how 195 00:05:30,020 --> 00:05:32,339 they were consistently going around 196 00:05:32,340 --> 00:05:33,459 an elementary school in that 197 00:05:33,460 --> 00:05:35,379 neighborhood, arresting parents near 198 00:05:35,380 --> 00:05:37,239 that school and causing a lot of 199 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,059 fear and really instability 200 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:40,979 in that area because it led to 201 00:05:40,980 --> 00:05:42,439 arrests and deportations. 202 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:43,739 But that is something if you were to 203 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:45,759 go on to a Spanish-language 204 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:46,679 Austin area. 205 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:47,919 Social media page, if that's the way 206 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:48,719 to say it. 207 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:50,139 Like an influencer page. 208 00:05:50,140 --> 00:05:51,379 You will see that people are sharing 209 00:05:51,380 --> 00:05:52,639 these claims. I mean, sometimes 210 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,179 those claims turn out to not be 211 00:05:54,180 --> 00:05:56,019 true. But I mean there are there's 212 00:05:56,020 --> 00:05:57,699 a lot of people taking videos of ICE 213 00:05:57,700 --> 00:06:00,019 very, very, very often with DPS 214 00:06:00,020 --> 00:06:01,119 in immigrant heavy parts of the 215 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:02,699 city. So we know that DPS is 216 00:06:02,700 --> 00:06:03,999 contacting ICE during traffic stops 217 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:05,639 in those situations. 218 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:07,279 So Austinites I think are very 219 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:09,059 correct to believe that the ICE is 220 00:06:09,060 --> 00:06:10,279 here, that ICE is acting, that if 221 00:06:10,280 --> 00:06:11,739 they disagree with that, then there 222 00:06:11,740 --> 00:06:13,339 is something to disagree with. 223 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:14,879 You know, but we do not have not 224 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:16,849 been able to confirm. 225 00:06:16,850 --> 00:06:19,089 Any sort of large scale operation 226 00:06:19,090 --> 00:06:21,369 that has ever occurred in Austin, 227 00:06:21,370 --> 00:06:22,529 singularly by federal immigration 228 00:06:22,530 --> 00:06:23,869 agents in the same way that we've 229 00:06:23,870 --> 00:06:25,729 seen in other large cities in the 230 00:06:25,730 --> 00:06:26,329 United States. 231 00:06:26,330 --> 00:06:28,589 Well, yesterday on our show we had a 232 00:06:28,590 --> 00:06:30,929 reported piece from the KUT newsroom 233 00:06:30,930 --> 00:06:32,949 with voices from Elgin, 234 00:06:32,950 --> 00:06:34,709 people who are affected. 235 00:06:34,710 --> 00:06:36,629 One undocumented person 236 00:06:36,630 --> 00:06:38,889 spoke on this story. 237 00:06:38,890 --> 00:06:40,749 I was wondering, what are 238 00:06:40,750 --> 00:06:42,089 you hearing from the community here 239 00:06:42,090 --> 00:06:43,090 in Austin? 240 00:06:43,730 --> 00:06:46,169 You mentioned earlier, you know, 241 00:06:46,170 --> 00:06:47,709 that trust that's being broken. 242 00:06:47,710 --> 00:06:48,649 And what else are you hearing from 243 00:06:48,650 --> 00:06:49,650 the people that you're speaking with? 244 00:06:51,780 --> 00:06:52,959 What I thought was very interesting 245 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:54,779 about this weekend, going out and 246 00:06:54,780 --> 00:06:55,779 reporting about some of these 247 00:06:55,780 --> 00:06:56,879 claims, is a lot of these things I 248 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:58,399 saw this time around, this weekend 249 00:06:58,400 --> 00:06:59,999 were on the English language side of 250 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,539 things. They were people in the 251 00:07:01,540 --> 00:07:03,779 restaurant industry, downtown, 252 00:07:03,780 --> 00:07:05,599 people with social platforms on 253 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:07,019 the english language side things. 254 00:07:07,020 --> 00:07:08,159 And I remember reaching out to a lot 255 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,339 of immigrant activists who are 256 00:07:10,340 --> 00:07:11,919 Spanish speaking during the Austin 257 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:13,159 area over the weekend. 258 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:15,079 They always see these videos. 259 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:16,719 And to them, the idea that they 260 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:18,639 should, if this means something to 261 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:19,859 them if this mean something to their 262 00:07:19,860 --> 00:07:20,759 loved ones, that they should be keeping 263 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,189 up with this. Is always there. 264 00:07:23,190 --> 00:07:25,029 And so this particular 265 00:07:25,030 --> 00:07:27,009 rumor that I think a lot of us saw 266 00:07:27,010 --> 00:07:29,029 this weekend, people, 267 00:07:29,030 --> 00:07:30,329 a lot immigrants that I speak to day 268 00:07:30,330 --> 00:07:32,189 in, day out, are trying 269 00:07:32,190 --> 00:07:34,349 to be very aware of this, 270 00:07:34,350 --> 00:07:36,069 have already been impacted by this, 271 00:07:36,070 --> 00:07:38,189 are making difficult decisions as 272 00:07:38,190 --> 00:07:40,009 to whether, 273 00:07:40,010 --> 00:07:41,249 if they do not have legal status, 274 00:07:41,250 --> 00:07:43,009 whether it's worth being in this 275 00:07:43,010 --> 00:07:44,010 country. 276 00:07:44,610 --> 00:07:46,209 You know, and those are stories we 277 00:07:46,210 --> 00:07:47,709 see day in day out and we're trying 278 00:07:47,710 --> 00:07:48,789 to tell the statesman and I'm sure 279 00:07:48,790 --> 00:07:49,649 you all are as well. 280 00:07:49,650 --> 00:07:51,609 And what 281 00:07:51,610 --> 00:07:53,389 are you going to continue working on 282 00:07:53,390 --> 00:07:55,009 in the coming days, in the coming 283 00:07:55,010 --> 00:07:56,469 weeks? What stories are you focusing 284 00:07:56,470 --> 00:07:57,470 on? 285 00:07:57,860 --> 00:07:59,479 I think we're very interested to 286 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:01,479 continue to document the economic 287 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:03,859 effects that we're seeing on 288 00:08:03,860 --> 00:08:05,039 many immigrant families. 289 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:06,159 I know that's something we're interested 290 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,199 in at the States, but I know in some 291 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:09,879 way this has already come out in our 292 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:11,999 reporting when we've very often 293 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,119 cover the arrests of 294 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:15,499 men and families and in families 295 00:08:15,500 --> 00:08:17,559 where the man was the 296 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,179 largely the sole breadwinner of a 297 00:08:19,180 --> 00:08:20,099 family. 298 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:21,619 You see the complete collapse and 299 00:08:21,620 --> 00:08:24,159 how effective this immigration 300 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:26,819 crackdown has been on 301 00:08:26,820 --> 00:08:27,959 putting people in very difficult 302 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:29,859 positions, and that's very arguably 303 00:08:29,860 --> 00:08:31,159 the intent here. 304 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:32,439 And I think that's something we 305 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:34,158 think is very important to continue 306 00:08:34,159 --> 00:08:35,678 to make sense of. 307 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:37,058 We know it's breaking people, but 308 00:08:37,059 --> 00:08:39,038 how many people are able to, 309 00:08:39,039 --> 00:08:40,759 in some way, make their way past 310 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:42,239 this? 311 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,079 And when are these final straws for 312 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:45,759 a lot of the immigrant individuals, 313 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:46,979 immigrant residents, immigrant neighbors 314 00:08:46,980 --> 00:08:48,639 that Austinites have? 315 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:50,339 We have been speaking with Emiliano 316 00:08:50,340 --> 00:08:51,179 Tahui Gomez. 317 00:08:51,180 --> 00:08:53,139 You can read his story and more 318 00:08:53,140 --> 00:08:54,979 from his reporting at 319 00:08:54,980 --> 00:08:56,079 the Statesman. 320 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:57,779 He covers immigration and Latinos 321 00:08:57,780 --> 00:08:59,019 there. Emiliano, thanks for coming 322 00:08:59,020 --> 00:09:00,119 on the show. We appreciate you. 323 00:09:06,950 --> 00:09:08,029 Governor Greg Abbott this week 324 00:09:08,030 --> 00:09:09,729 directed all public universities and 325 00:09:09,730 --> 00:09:11,609 state agencies to freeze new 326 00:09:11,610 --> 00:09:13,709 H-1B visa applications through 327 00:09:13,710 --> 00:09:15,349 the end of the next legislative 328 00:09:15,350 --> 00:09:17,329 session in 2027, 329 00:09:17,330 --> 00:09:19,229 except without written permission 330 00:09:19,230 --> 00:09:21,469 from the Texas Workforce Commission. 331 00:09:21,470 --> 00:09:22,749 For more about the order and its 332 00:09:22,750 --> 00:09:24,089 impacts, we're joined by Jessica 333 00:09:24,090 --> 00:09:25,589 Priest. She covers higher education 334 00:09:25,590 --> 00:09:26,989 for the Texas Tribune. 335 00:09:26,990 --> 00:09:28,079 Thanks for being with us today. 336 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:29,279 Thank you for having me. 337 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,279 So first off, I wanted to ask who 338 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:33,239 is eligible for an H-1B 339 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:35,399 visa and how are they used by public 340 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:37,589 universities and state agencies? 341 00:09:37,590 --> 00:09:39,849 H-1B visas 342 00:09:39,850 --> 00:09:41,929 typically are people that 343 00:09:41,930 --> 00:09:45,049 have PhD degrees. 344 00:09:45,050 --> 00:09:47,449 They are for like specialty 345 00:09:47,450 --> 00:09:50,409 roles, and so I 346 00:09:50,410 --> 00:09:52,549 don't know about eligibility, 347 00:09:52,550 --> 00:09:54,169 but that's what they're normally 348 00:09:54,170 --> 00:09:56,109 used for in the university setting. 349 00:09:56,110 --> 00:09:57,969 People with 350 00:09:57,970 --> 00:10:00,829 H-1B visas are professors, 351 00:10:00,830 --> 00:10:02,789 doctors, really skilled 352 00:10:02,790 --> 00:10:04,269 researchers. 353 00:10:04,270 --> 00:10:06,189 So what is the reasoning behind this 354 00:10:06,190 --> 00:10:07,569 initiative from the governor that 355 00:10:07,570 --> 00:10:09,299 was issued yesterday? 356 00:10:09,300 --> 00:10:11,299 The governor, we got like a 357 00:10:11,300 --> 00:10:13,139 preview that he was thinking about 358 00:10:13,140 --> 00:10:15,139 this like a week, maybe over 359 00:10:15,140 --> 00:10:16,319 the weekend. 360 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,379 Another news outlet had reported 361 00:10:18,380 --> 00:10:20,519 that he was asking the 362 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,619 Texas A&M University system 363 00:10:22,620 --> 00:10:24,659 about their use 364 00:10:24,660 --> 00:10:27,259 of H-1B visas. 365 00:10:27,260 --> 00:10:29,339 And conservative news outlets have 366 00:10:29,340 --> 00:10:31,399 reported about, you 367 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:33,219 know, Texas A& M 368 00:10:33,220 --> 00:10:35,119 system and the University of 369 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:36,999 Texas system, spending a lot 370 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,879 of money, helping, I 371 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:40,379 don't know. Helping is the right 372 00:10:40,380 --> 00:10:42,359 word, but facilitating these, like, 373 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,019 petitions for 374 00:10:45,020 --> 00:10:46,919 and employing people with 375 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:47,920 H-1B visas. 376 00:10:49,180 --> 00:10:51,119 So I think the governor is 377 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,399 concerned about the cost and 378 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:56,139 also about the, 379 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,199 he in his statement yesterday 380 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:00,819 talked about how he wants these 381 00:11:00,820 --> 00:11:02,100 rolls to go to Texans. 382 00:11:03,260 --> 00:11:05,339 I mentioned that 383 00:11:05,340 --> 00:11:09,379 he is freezing these new H-1B 384 00:11:09,380 --> 00:11:11,339 visa applications, except 385 00:11:11,340 --> 00:11:12,839 without written permission from the 386 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,339 Texas Workforce Commission. 387 00:11:14,340 --> 00:11:16,319 What else was included in this 388 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:17,320 directive? 389 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:19,919 The universities and state 390 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:21,939 agencies that employ 391 00:11:21,940 --> 00:11:23,899 people with H-1B visas 392 00:11:23,900 --> 00:11:25,859 have to report information 393 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:27,639 to the Texas Workforce Commission. 394 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,499 They have to, like, report the 395 00:11:29,500 --> 00:11:31,419 number of people 396 00:11:31,420 --> 00:11:33,499 they employ, their countries 397 00:11:33,500 --> 00:11:35,579 of origin, the roles that 398 00:11:35,580 --> 00:11:37,399 they fill, so their job 399 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:39,979 titles, and when their visa 400 00:11:39,980 --> 00:11:41,959 expires. 401 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:44,619 He also wants documentation 402 00:11:44,620 --> 00:11:46,499 about Just 403 00:11:46,500 --> 00:11:48,319 so showing that they made like 404 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,139 a reasonable effort to 405 00:11:50,140 --> 00:11:52,179 employ a qualified 406 00:11:52,180 --> 00:11:53,709 Texan for the job 407 00:11:53,710 --> 00:11:55,409 Okay, you mentioned numbers. 408 00:11:55,410 --> 00:11:56,969 What do we know about the numbers of 409 00:11:56,970 --> 00:11:59,559 H-1B visa holders here in Texas? 410 00:11:59,560 --> 00:12:01,839 Um, so I 411 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:03,859 was getting a crash course on this 412 00:12:03,860 --> 00:12:06,359 earlier this week, but, 413 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,179 uh, there's this great 414 00:12:08,180 --> 00:12:10,599 website, uh you know, 415 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,299 where you can look up like employer 416 00:12:12,300 --> 00:12:14,579 data for, uh H1B 417 00:12:14,580 --> 00:12:15,580 visas and like 418 00:12:17,910 --> 00:12:19,569 The people who are the companies 419 00:12:19,570 --> 00:12:21,809 that employ the most 420 00:12:21,810 --> 00:12:23,689 H-1B visa holders 421 00:12:23,690 --> 00:12:25,529 are in the private sector, number 422 00:12:25,530 --> 00:12:26,469 one. 423 00:12:26,470 --> 00:12:28,729 But if you filter it in Texas, 424 00:12:28,730 --> 00:12:30,849 in the education sector, 425 00:12:30,850 --> 00:12:32,969 the number one employer 426 00:12:32,970 --> 00:12:35,169 is Dallas ISD, 427 00:12:35,170 --> 00:12:37,229 which isn't the subject of the 428 00:12:37,230 --> 00:12:38,369 governor's directive. 429 00:12:38,370 --> 00:12:40,469 It's just universities and 430 00:12:40,470 --> 00:12:42,149 state agencies. 431 00:12:42,150 --> 00:12:45,009 And so if you look at universities, 432 00:12:45,010 --> 00:12:47,019 the The number one 433 00:12:47,020 --> 00:12:49,239 is UT Southwestern 434 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:50,209 Medical Center. 435 00:12:50,210 --> 00:12:51,479 Okay. 436 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,439 220 as of 437 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:55,059 this data that I'm looking at for 438 00:12:55,060 --> 00:12:56,999 September 30th, 439 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:58,999 2025, followed by 440 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:00,819 Texas A&M University and 441 00:13:00,820 --> 00:13:02,979 College Station, and then 442 00:13:02,980 --> 00:13:05,059 the MD Anderson Cancer Center 443 00:13:05,060 --> 00:13:06,060 in Houston. 444 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,359 UT Austin actually comes in number 445 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:10,279 five. 446 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,839 They have 165. 447 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:14,819 You mentioned those emails obtained 448 00:13:14,820 --> 00:13:16,419 that were sent to a Texas A&M 449 00:13:16,420 --> 00:13:17,519 University leaders. 450 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:18,979 Have you heard anything from other 451 00:13:18,980 --> 00:13:21,089 public universities here in Texas? 452 00:13:21,090 --> 00:13:23,109 I reached out on 453 00:13:23,110 --> 00:13:25,209 Monday to 454 00:13:25,210 --> 00:13:27,969 MD Anderson and 455 00:13:27,970 --> 00:13:29,909 UT Dallas and UT 456 00:13:29,910 --> 00:13:34,869 Southwestern Medical 457 00:13:34,870 --> 00:13:36,769 Center for comment, but I didn't 458 00:13:36,770 --> 00:13:38,949 hear back from them. 459 00:13:38,950 --> 00:13:41,129 On Tuesday, after the governor's 460 00:13:41,130 --> 00:13:43,129 order came out, both the 461 00:13:43,130 --> 00:13:45,129 Texas A&M system and the 462 00:13:45,130 --> 00:13:47,009 UT system said that they would be 463 00:13:47,010 --> 00:13:48,429 complying with the governor order 464 00:13:48,430 --> 00:13:50,059 and they'd be sending him. 465 00:13:50,060 --> 00:13:51,259 The information that he wants. 466 00:13:51,260 --> 00:13:53,119 Okay, we only have about 40 seconds 467 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:54,719 left. The last question I have, this 468 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:56,099 sort of crackdown isn't just 469 00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:57,989 happening here in Texas, correct? 470 00:13:57,990 --> 00:14:00,489 No, it's also happening in Florida. 471 00:14:00,490 --> 00:14:02,529 Last year, the governor there was 472 00:14:02,530 --> 00:14:04,329 asking a lot of the same questions 473 00:14:04,330 --> 00:14:06,169 that Governor Abbott is asking, 474 00:14:06,170 --> 00:14:08,189 and he proposed the same 475 00:14:08,190 --> 00:14:09,390 thing, like a pause. 476 00:14:10,810 --> 00:14:12,969 But unlike here, 477 00:14:12,970 --> 00:14:14,969 the proposal is being taken up by 478 00:14:14,970 --> 00:14:17,009 the universities themselves, 479 00:14:17,010 --> 00:14:18,729 and they're going to be adopting a 480 00:14:18,730 --> 00:14:19,729 policy. 481 00:14:19,730 --> 00:14:21,589 Okay, that is Jessica Priest. 482 00:14:21,590 --> 00:14:23,349 She covers higher education for the 483 00:14:23,350 --> 00:14:24,329 Texas Tribune. 484 00:14:24,330 --> 00:14:25,969 We're gonna have more. 485 00:14:25,970 --> 00:14:27,869 We will have her story in the show 486 00:14:27,870 --> 00:14:29,309 notes for today's podcast and you 487 00:14:29,310 --> 00:14:31,069 can find it right now over at 488 00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:32,469 kut.org. 489 00:14:32,470 --> 00:14:33,269 Jessica, thanks for coming on the 490 00:14:33,270 --> 00:14:35,149 show. Thank you. 491 00:14:35,150 --> 00:14:37,049 And thank you out there for spending 492 00:14:37,050 --> 00:14:39,049 part of your Wednesday here with 493 00:14:39,050 --> 00:14:40,509 Austin Signal. 494 00:14:40,510 --> 00:14:42,249 We are brought to you by listener 495 00:14:42,250 --> 00:14:44,249 powered public radio, 496 00:14:44,250 --> 00:14:46,089 KUT. We will be back 497 00:14:46,090 --> 00:14:47,330 in just one moment. 498 00:15:00,110 --> 00:15:01,489 This is Austin Signal. 499 00:15:01,490 --> 00:15:02,769 Thank you for spending part of your 500 00:15:02,770 --> 00:15:04,389 Wednesday here with us. 501 00:15:04,390 --> 00:15:06,009 So we are less than a month away 502 00:15:06,010 --> 00:15:07,829 from the start of the newest 503 00:15:07,830 --> 00:15:10,049 Austin FC season and 504 00:15:10,050 --> 00:15:11,429 here to help us talk about what's 505 00:15:11,430 --> 00:15:12,969 been happening this off season is 506 00:15:12,970 --> 00:15:14,469 KUT's Juan Garcia. 507 00:15:14,470 --> 00:15:16,429 He is one of the hosts of the 508 00:15:16,430 --> 00:15:18,969 KUT Austin FC podcast, 509 00:15:18,970 --> 00:15:19,869 Vamos Verde. 510 00:15:19,870 --> 00:15:21,069 Juan, thanks for coming on the show. 511 00:15:21,070 --> 00:15:22,309 Always a pleasure, Jerry. 512 00:15:22,310 --> 00:15:24,349 So last year's team made 513 00:15:24,350 --> 00:15:26,189 the playoffs, made a first round 514 00:15:26,190 --> 00:15:28,359 exit, so didn't advance too far. 515 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,319 They had a pretty good 516 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:32,159 season, but every team is going 517 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:34,059 to look to retool in the off-season 518 00:15:34,060 --> 00:15:35,799 and to revamp. 519 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:37,619 What did Austin FC really need 520 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:39,259 going into this recent off- season? 521 00:15:39,260 --> 00:15:41,069 Well, the... 522 00:15:41,070 --> 00:15:42,989 Biggest area of need 523 00:15:42,990 --> 00:15:45,969 that most folks looked 524 00:15:45,970 --> 00:15:47,869 for in the offseason 525 00:15:47,870 --> 00:15:49,889 would have been some way 526 00:15:49,890 --> 00:15:51,569 of improving the goal tally. 527 00:15:51,570 --> 00:15:53,569 They struggled for stretches 528 00:15:53,570 --> 00:15:55,669 on the year to score 529 00:15:55,670 --> 00:15:57,669 relatively consistently. 530 00:15:57,670 --> 00:15:58,809 Granted, that could have been 531 00:15:58,810 --> 00:16:00,269 affected by many things. 532 00:16:00,270 --> 00:16:02,209 Injuries, a relatively new squad 533 00:16:02,210 --> 00:16:03,529 that was still gelling with one 534 00:16:03,530 --> 00:16:05,549 another, but it 535 00:16:05,550 --> 00:16:07,549 did come after a summer where they 536 00:16:07,550 --> 00:16:09,579 spent a lot of money on attackers. 537 00:16:09,580 --> 00:16:10,939 And so that was the area that I 538 00:16:10,940 --> 00:16:12,659 think disappointed most folks in 539 00:16:12,660 --> 00:16:14,519 what can be seen in 540 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:16,319 many respects as a season where they 541 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:18,199 met and in some ways exceeded 542 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:19,699 the expectations going into the 543 00:16:19,700 --> 00:16:19,979 year. 544 00:16:19,980 --> 00:16:21,659 Yeah, this might be soccer, but 545 00:16:21,660 --> 00:16:23,219 we're still Americans, we still want 546 00:16:23,220 --> 00:16:25,020 to see points on the board, you 547 00:16:25,021 --> 00:16:26,359 know, that still feels like 548 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:28,599 translating to success. 549 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,499 And Austin FC made a recent 550 00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:31,419 signing that they're going to be 551 00:16:31,420 --> 00:16:33,359 announcing tomorrow. 552 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:34,939 Who is this person and is he going 553 00:16:34,940 --> 00:16:36,529 to help score some goals? 554 00:16:36,530 --> 00:16:38,509 He is a known quantity in 555 00:16:38,510 --> 00:16:39,929 Major League Soccer. 556 00:16:39,930 --> 00:16:42,069 He arrives in Austin holding 557 00:16:42,070 --> 00:16:44,069 the record for the most goals scored 558 00:16:44,070 --> 00:16:45,949 by a single player at 559 00:16:45,950 --> 00:16:46,949 Orlando City. 560 00:16:46,950 --> 00:16:48,769 Okay, that sounds good, sounds good 561 00:16:48,770 --> 00:16:49,770 off the bat. 562 00:16:51,290 --> 00:16:53,109 And he's an upgrade on 563 00:16:53,110 --> 00:16:54,449 what the team had. 564 00:16:54,450 --> 00:16:56,569 Ultimately, they made a move to sell 565 00:16:56,570 --> 00:16:58,529 winger Osman Bukhari after a 566 00:16:58,530 --> 00:17:00,069 couple, I think two and a half years 567 00:17:00,070 --> 00:17:01,989 with the team, or 568 00:17:01,990 --> 00:17:03,190 a year and a 1 half with the theme. 569 00:17:04,569 --> 00:17:06,469 Bukkari arrived with a lot of 570 00:17:06,470 --> 00:17:08,489 expectations around, you know, 571 00:17:08,490 --> 00:17:09,989 being this dynamic winger that could 572 00:17:09,990 --> 00:17:12,389 take defenders on one-on-one. 573 00:17:12,390 --> 00:17:14,769 But his production never really 574 00:17:14,770 --> 00:17:16,749 justified the cost of 575 00:17:16,750 --> 00:17:18,549 bringing him in and holding him at a 576 00:17:18,550 --> 00:17:19,989 premium roster slot. 577 00:17:19,990 --> 00:17:21,989 Uh, so he 578 00:17:21,990 --> 00:17:23,949 got shipped out to Poland and 579 00:17:23,950 --> 00:17:25,828 in his place, they brought in 580 00:17:25,829 --> 00:17:27,328 Fakundo Torres. 581 00:17:27,329 --> 00:17:29,229 Um, this is a guy that, like 582 00:17:29,230 --> 00:17:31,149 I said, has proven experience in 583 00:17:31,150 --> 00:17:32,969 major league soccer, uh, 584 00:17:32,970 --> 00:17:34,789 would slot into his role as 585 00:17:34,790 --> 00:17:36,689 a winger relatively effectively in a 586 00:17:36,690 --> 00:17:38,009 one-to-one. He's younger than 587 00:17:38,010 --> 00:17:38,909 Bucari. 588 00:17:38,910 --> 00:17:40,869 You're bringing in a guy who 589 00:17:40,870 --> 00:17:42,869 knows how to score goals in major 590 00:17:42,870 --> 00:17:44,589 league soccer. And I think that's 591 00:17:44,590 --> 00:17:45,809 the. 592 00:17:45,810 --> 00:17:47,749 Logic around this signing is 593 00:17:47,750 --> 00:17:49,029 we need to score more goals. 594 00:17:49,030 --> 00:17:50,369 So we brought in a guy who has 595 00:17:50,370 --> 00:17:52,229 proven to know how to do just 596 00:17:52,230 --> 00:17:53,519 that in Major League Soccer. 597 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,339 And scoring goals comes in 598 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:57,039 a variety of ways in Major League 599 00:17:57,040 --> 00:17:57,979 Soccer. 600 00:17:57,980 --> 00:18:00,119 Some people create their own shot, 601 00:18:00,120 --> 00:18:01,499 some people are in the right place 602 00:18:01,500 --> 00:18:03,139 at the right time and just know how 603 00:18:03,140 --> 00:18:04,619 to put the ball in the back of the 604 00:18:04,620 --> 00:18:06,439 net. Facundo Torres, what kind 605 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:07,419 of player is he? 606 00:18:07,420 --> 00:18:08,299 Is he a finisher? 607 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:10,139 Is he creator? It's very 608 00:18:10,140 --> 00:18:10,969 clear that 609 00:18:10,970 --> 00:18:13,049 he scores goals more 610 00:18:13,050 --> 00:18:14,969 than he creates them. 611 00:18:14,970 --> 00:18:16,969 And that could be something 612 00:18:16,970 --> 00:18:19,129 that gives some folks pause 613 00:18:19,130 --> 00:18:20,569 in terms of like the expectations 614 00:18:20,570 --> 00:18:22,309 going into the year. 615 00:18:22,310 --> 00:18:24,409 The team had a clear need 616 00:18:24,410 --> 00:18:26,949 to create more goals. 617 00:18:26,950 --> 00:18:28,489 They weren't scoring the chances 618 00:18:28,490 --> 00:18:30,289 that they were creating last year, 619 00:18:30,290 --> 00:18:32,089 but in many cases those chances 620 00:18:32,090 --> 00:18:33,909 weren't the best chances that could 621 00:18:33,910 --> 00:18:34,889 have been created. 622 00:18:34,890 --> 00:18:36,649 And so that's why there was a lot of 623 00:18:36,650 --> 00:18:38,309 questions around whether they would 624 00:18:38,310 --> 00:18:39,269 be targeting. 625 00:18:39,270 --> 00:18:40,889 A player that's more of an 626 00:18:40,890 --> 00:18:42,849 orchestrator, a chance creator, 627 00:18:42,850 --> 00:18:44,669 rather than a chance finisher. 628 00:18:44,670 --> 00:18:45,729 Instead, they actually went a 629 00:18:45,730 --> 00:18:46,569 different route. 630 00:18:46,570 --> 00:18:49,269 They brought in two 631 00:18:49,270 --> 00:18:51,309 chance finishers last offseason 632 00:18:51,310 --> 00:18:53,549 in Mirtuzuni and Brandon Baskes 633 00:18:53,550 --> 00:18:55,549 occupying two designated player 634 00:18:55,550 --> 00:18:57,669 slots. Those are the 635 00:18:57,670 --> 00:18:59,669 premier roster slots 636 00:18:59,670 --> 00:19:01,789 where the cost 637 00:19:01,790 --> 00:19:03,789 of acquiring a player and paying 638 00:19:03,790 --> 00:19:05,829 their salary, only 639 00:19:05,830 --> 00:19:07,409 a certain portion of that is 640 00:19:07,410 --> 00:19:09,199 actually going to apply to the cap. 641 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,299 So that's designed for teams 642 00:19:11,300 --> 00:19:12,279 to be able to bring in more 643 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:13,719 expensive players with higher 644 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:15,799 transfer fees, higher salaries, and 645 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:17,179 still be able to field competitive 646 00:19:17,180 --> 00:19:19,139 teams against other teams that 647 00:19:19,140 --> 00:19:20,959 also have three or 648 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:22,659 four players that are being paid a 649 00:19:22,660 --> 00:19:24,139 little bit more or cost a little 650 00:19:24,140 --> 00:19:25,460 more to be brought in. 651 00:19:26,860 --> 00:19:28,359 What they didn't do so far this 652 00:19:28,360 --> 00:19:30,199 season is bring in a player 653 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,299 that is that chance 654 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:34,719 creator profile 655 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:36,859 instead choosing to bring a guy that 656 00:19:36,860 --> 00:19:38,439 is going to slot into Bukkari's role 657 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:40,759 but they hope will score goals 658 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,499 at a much higher rate than Bukkarri. 659 00:19:43,500 --> 00:19:45,499 That tells me that they're 660 00:19:45,500 --> 00:19:46,519 comfortable with the players that 661 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,359 they have and with the system that 662 00:19:48,360 --> 00:19:50,319 they have that they feel they will 663 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:52,379 be able to create enough 664 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:54,459 high quality chances consistently 665 00:19:54,460 --> 00:19:56,499 for these players to 666 00:19:56,500 --> 00:19:58,419 do what they do best which is put 667 00:19:58,420 --> 00:19:59,639 the ball in the back of the net. 668 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:01,739 Well, a new season for Austin 669 00:20:01,740 --> 00:20:03,359 FC means a new season of the Vamos 670 00:20:03,360 --> 00:20:05,459 Verdad podcast, which 671 00:20:05,460 --> 00:20:07,339 you host along with KUT's 672 00:20:07,340 --> 00:20:08,419 Jimmy Moss. What are y'all cooking 673 00:20:08,420 --> 00:20:09,739 up for this new season? 674 00:20:09,740 --> 00:20:11,000 Ooh, quite a bit. 675 00:20:13,020 --> 00:20:14,519 We're trying to approach things a 676 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:15,999 little bit differently, but for the 677 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,039 most part, what you're going to hear 678 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:17,260 is- What? 679 00:20:17,261 --> 00:20:18,439 What what season sorry to interrupt 680 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:19,779 but what season will this be for 681 00:20:19,780 --> 00:20:20,329 y'all show? 682 00:20:20,330 --> 00:20:22,309 This is gonna be our third season 683 00:20:22,310 --> 00:20:24,129 and, you know, we're 684 00:20:24,130 --> 00:20:25,569 looking to maybe mix things up a 685 00:20:25,570 --> 00:20:27,329 little bit, but not too much. 686 00:20:27,330 --> 00:20:29,229 We're gonna try to put more of 687 00:20:29,230 --> 00:20:30,769 a focus, more of an emphasis than we 688 00:20:30,770 --> 00:20:31,770 did last year 689 00:20:32,970 --> 00:20:34,789 on stuff around the 690 00:20:34,790 --> 00:20:36,729 team. The artists that do 691 00:20:36,730 --> 00:20:38,809 the heartbeat and the anthem and 692 00:20:38,810 --> 00:20:40,549 that contribute to sort of the 693 00:20:40,550 --> 00:20:42,509 culture side of building Austin 694 00:20:42,510 --> 00:20:44,429 FC's relevance 695 00:20:44,430 --> 00:20:46,069 in the city. 696 00:20:46,070 --> 00:20:47,209 We're going to be talking to 697 00:20:47,210 --> 00:20:49,149 artists, we're gonna be talking too. 698 00:20:49,150 --> 00:20:51,849 Some of the new players as well. 699 00:20:51,850 --> 00:20:54,189 Just looking to approach things with 700 00:20:54,190 --> 00:20:55,969 a fresh set of eyes. 701 00:20:55,970 --> 00:20:57,309 You know, we've done it for two 702 00:20:57,310 --> 00:20:58,369 seasons now. 703 00:20:58,370 --> 00:20:59,989 We're not trying to reinvent the 704 00:20:59,990 --> 00:21:02,009 wheel, but we're seeing areas 705 00:21:02,010 --> 00:21:03,549 that we can improve on. 706 00:21:03,550 --> 00:21:05,449 And yeah, I'm really excited to see 707 00:21:05,450 --> 00:21:06,989 what what's coming up this season. 708 00:21:06,990 --> 00:21:08,109 We actually have an interview coming 709 00:21:08,110 --> 00:21:09,469 up with someone who was on The 710 00:21:09,470 --> 00:21:11,549 Signal earlier this week. 711 00:21:11,550 --> 00:21:13,109 We'll be talking to Lindsay Mackin 712 00:21:13,110 --> 00:21:15,389 of Annabelle Chairlegs in 713 00:21:15,390 --> 00:21:17,329 this sort of early portion of 714 00:21:17,330 --> 00:21:18,299 this upcoming season. 715 00:21:18,300 --> 00:21:19,079 Very cool. 716 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:20,699 Well, we are excited for the new 717 00:21:20,700 --> 00:21:22,559 season for Austin FC and 718 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:23,759 for Vamos Verde. 719 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:25,259 That is Juan Garcia, one of the 720 00:21:25,260 --> 00:21:26,679 hosts of the show. 721 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:27,739 Thanks for coming on the signal, 722 00:21:27,740 --> 00:21:29,559 Juan. Thanks for having me, Jerry. 723 00:21:29,560 --> 00:21:31,539 And before we get out of here today, 724 00:21:31,540 --> 00:21:33,199 we've got another update from the 725 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:34,839 KUT newsroom. 726 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:36,699 Texas Attorney General Ken 727 00:21:36,700 --> 00:21:38,279 Paxton is suited Delaware-based 728 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:40,119 nurse practitioner, alleging 729 00:21:40,120 --> 00:21:41,619 that she broke Texas law by 730 00:21:41,620 --> 00:21:43,379 prescribing abortion pills to women 731 00:21:43,380 --> 00:21:44,479 in Texas. 732 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:46,199 In the suit filed This week Paxton 733 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:47,699 said that the operator of the 734 00:21:47,700 --> 00:21:49,769 organization Her Safe Harbor 735 00:21:49,770 --> 00:21:51,629 has sent packages containing the 736 00:21:51,630 --> 00:21:53,349 medications Mifepristone and 737 00:21:53,350 --> 00:21:55,289 Misopristol to women 738 00:21:55,290 --> 00:21:56,829 in cities including Beaumont, 739 00:21:56,830 --> 00:21:58,589 Houston, and El Paso. 740 00:21:58,590 --> 00:22:00,249 The suit references statements Lynch 741 00:22:00,250 --> 00:22:02,309 made to media outlets, including in 742 00:22:02,310 --> 00:22:04,369 a profile by the Austin American 743 00:22:04,370 --> 00:22:05,389 statesman. 744 00:22:05,390 --> 00:22:07,229 Her Safe harbor advertises itself 745 00:22:07,230 --> 00:22:09,169 as a telehealth service that offers, 746 00:22:09,170 --> 00:22:11,009 quote, safe private care 747 00:22:11,010 --> 00:22:12,969 to women and all 50 748 00:22:12,970 --> 00:22:13,759 states. 749 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:15,579 The action follows a cease 750 00:22:15,580 --> 00:22:17,059 and desist letter the Texas Attorney 751 00:22:17,060 --> 00:22:18,779 General's Office sent Lynch last 752 00:22:18,780 --> 00:22:19,819 year. 753 00:22:19,820 --> 00:22:21,619 KUT's health care reporter Olivia 754 00:22:21,620 --> 00:22:23,799 Aldridge has more over 755 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:25,839 at KUT.org 756 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:27,679 and you can find more from 757 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:29,619 what we do every single day 758 00:22:29,620 --> 00:22:31,739 at K-U-T dot 759 00:22:31,740 --> 00:22:34,279 org slash signal. 760 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:36,359 That is it for today's 761 00:22:36,360 --> 00:22:38,219 show. Thank you for making us part 762 00:22:38,220 --> 00:22:39,179 of your day. 763 00:22:39,180 --> 00:22:40,543 Thanks to Emiliano Tahui Gomez, 764 00:22:41,660 --> 00:22:43,259 to Jessica Priest, and to Juan 765 00:22:43,260 --> 00:22:45,079 Garcia for their help 766 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:46,519 with today's episode. 767 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:48,279 And as always, thank you to Rayna 768 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:50,299 Sevilla and Kristen Cabrera for 769 00:22:50,300 --> 00:22:52,839 making Austin's Signal happen every 770 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:54,039 single day. 771 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:54,919 I'm Jerry Quijano. 772 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:56,660 We will talk to you tomorrow.