By REBECCA BOONE

A federal judge in California has barred Border Patrol agents from arresting someone suspected of living in the U.S. illegally unless they have a warrant or a reason to believe the person might flee before a warrant can be obtained.

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Tuesday’s ruling from U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston also says Border Patrol agents can’t stop people without having reasonable suspicion or return them to their countries of origin via “voluntary departure” unless that person is informed of their rights and agrees to leave. The ruling only applies to people within the court’s Eastern District of California, Thurston said, where dozens of people were swept up in January after the Border Patrol launched an immigration enforcement action dubbed “Operation Return to Sender.”

The American Civil Liberties Union sued Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Border Patrol officials on behalf of the labor union United Farm Workers and people who were targeted during the Border Patrol raids.

The ACLU said border patrol agents spent nearly a week unconstitutionally detaining people who “appeared to be farmworkers or day laborers, regardless of their actual immigration status or individual circumstances.” The detainees were bussed to the border, held without any way to contact family or attorneys, and coerced into signing papers that said they had waived their right to see an immigration judge and voluntarily agreed to leave the country, the ACLU said.

FILE – Border Patrol agents wait for the arrival of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a visit to the US-Mexico border in Sunland Park, N.M., Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton, FIle)

“The evidence before the Court is that Border Patrol agents under DHS authority engaged in conduct that violated well-established constitutional rights,” Thurston wrote. She said the Border Patrol would have to provide a report showing exactly who is detained or arrested without warrants, and why, every 60 days until the lawsuit is concluded.

Attorneys for the Border Patrol had argued the judge lacked jurisdiction to consider the case, because federal law says that immigration matters can generally only be appealed once an immigration judge has issued a final order. Besides, the government’s attorneys said, the lawsuit is moot because the U.S. Border Patrol has already issued new guidance and training to its agents detailing exactly when people may be stopped or arrested without warrants, and what rights detainees have after their arrest.

But Thurston said the Border Patrol can’t claim the lawsuit is moot simply because it issued a new policy after it was sued. The language in the new policy isn’t strong enough to guard against the illegal stops, Thurston said, and there is no reason to believe that the policy wouldn’t be changed again in the future.

By Holly D. Johnson, Bankrate.com

The hotel industry is competitive, which is part of the reason hotel brands launch loyalty programs to lure in and reward frequent travelers. But there’s another tool hotel brands use to steal business travelers and jet-setters from other brands, and it’s known as a status match.

If you frequently stay with one hotel brand, and you have elite status to show for it, you’re probably busy enjoying hotel benefits like room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout and lounge access. But what happens if you want to change your preferred hotel brand?

Hotel status match programs can help you enjoy elite benefits with other hotel loyalty programs for a limited time, or even in perpetuity if you switch programs.

What is a status match?

Status match is a tool that hotel loyalty programs use to snag frequent travelers from competing hotel chains. Essentially, these programs let elite members from another brand qualify for top-tier perks that they would normally have to earn through paid hotel stays or having a co-branded hotel credit card.

Whereas some status matches are offered automatically to those who sign up, others are offered in the form of a status “challenge.” When the latter applies, customers typically need to complete a specific number of paid stays or reach a specific spending threshold with the new hotel brand in order to qualify.

Which hotels offer status matches?

Here’s a rundown of which hotel brands are offering status matches right now.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors members who have not applied for a status match in the past and are a Silver tier or lower can apply for this benefit. Essentially, frequent travelers need to submit proof of elite status with another hotel brand upfront, at which point they’ll be upgraded to Hilton Gold status for 90 days. At that point, guests can do one of the following:

—Stay at least eight nights with Hilton within the 90-day trial period to keep Gold status through March 31, 2027.

—Stay an additional six nights (14 total nights) within the 90-day trial period to upgrade to Diamond status through March 31, 2027.

Also, be aware that several Hilton credit cards provide automatic elite status just for signing up. Some options to consider include:

—Hilton Honors American Express Card (comes with automatic Silver status)

—Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (comes with automatic Gold status)

—Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card* (comes with automatic Diamond status)

—The Platinum Card® from American Express (comes with automatic Hilton Gold status)

—The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (comes with automatic Hilton Gold status)

Marriott Bonvoy

At the moment, the Marriott Bonvoy program does not have an official status match offer you can apply for. However, the brand has an unpublished status challenge that you can call and request. The details include:

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—Stay eight nights within three months of enrollment to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold status.

—Stay 16 nights within three months of enrollment to get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status.

If you meet the requirements, you keep the status for the remainder of the current year, plus all of the following membership year. Unlike a status match, you don’t need existing status to apply. Note that only paid stays count, and you can’t request a challenge if you already have elite status with Marriott.

To enroll, call Marriott and request a status challenge. Because this is an “unofficial” offering, be sure to take note of any requirements you get from the representative.

There are also co-branded Marriott credit cards that offer automatic elite status. Consider the following cards if you want to get automatic elite status and earn rewards for your spending:

—Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* (comes with automatic Silver Elite status)

—Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card* (comes with automatic Silver Elite status)

—Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express® Card (comes with automatic Gold Elite status)

—Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)

—Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (comes with automatic Gold Elite status)

—The Platinum Card from American Express (comes with automatic Marriott Gold Elite status)

—The Business Platinum Card from American Express (comes with automatic Marriott Gold Elite status)

World of Hyatt

The World of Hyatt program doesn’t offer a status match program at the moment, and it has not had a public offer for status matches in the past. However, you can get automatic World of Hyatt elite status by signing up for the right World of Hyatt credit card:

—The World of Hyatt Credit Card* (comes with automatic Discoverist status for as long as the account stays open)

—The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card* (comes with automatic Discoverist status for the cardholder and up to five employees)

IHG One Rewards

IHG One Rewards is another hotel brand that is not offering a public status match challenge at the moment. It’s been quite a while since one was available. However, you can still get automatic elite hotel status with an eligible credit card:

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—IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card* (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)

—IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card* (comes with automatic Silver Elite status)

—IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card* (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)

Keep in mind: If you have the New United Club℠ Card*, you can enroll for IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards offers the chance to match your status as of the time of publication. To qualify, you’ll send in proof of your existing hotel elite status with the chance to maintain a corresponding status level if you complete a minimum number of paid stays with the hotel brand within 90 days.

The new status you receive depends on the status you have. For example, Gold Elite status or higher with Marriott Bonvoy translates to Diamond status with Wyndham Rewards.

You can also get automatic Wyndham Rewards elite status with the following rewards credit cards:

—Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card* (comes with automatic Gold status)

—Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card* (comes with automatic Platinum status)

—Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card* (comes with automatic Diamond status)

This is one of the easiest status matches to get, so if you have any Wyndham stays coming up, you might want to enroll.

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges currently offers a status match. You can apply for a status match by submitting proof of elite status with another hotel brand. You’ll email your full name, Choice Privileges member number and proof of status (such as a screenshot that shows your elite hotel status) to Status_Match@choicehotels.com.

Within 30 days, you’ll automatically become an elite member with Choice Privileges. You’ll then be eligible for elite perks like bonus points on paid stays and a welcome gift at eligible properties in the U.S. and Canada.

Details are scant about how the match works, but there are three potential status tiers: Gold, Platinum and Diamond. You’ll likely be matched as closely as possible from your existing elite status.

You can also cut to the chase and get instant elite status with the right credit card:

—Choice Privileges® Mastercard® (comes with automatic Gold Elite status)

—Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® (comes with automatic Platinum Elite status)

Best Western Rewards

Best Western offers a program called Status Match…No Catch®, which lets you request a status match without much work required on your part.

This program requires you to email StatusMatch@bestwestern.com with your name, contact information, Best Western loyalty number and proof of status in another hotel program.

Best Western says that new elite members will receive status through Dec. 31, 2026.

Should you do a hotel status match?

Using a status match program is a no-brainer if you already have elite status with a particular hotel brand, but you want to try out a new program. After all, most status match programs give you a higher tier of status just for proving your current status, and you may get to enjoy elite status perks for a year or longer.

That said, you can get automatic elite status through a number of top hotel credit cards, which might be even easier. Hotel credit cards even let you earn generous sign-up bonuses and hotel points on all your spending, and many offer a free award night each year (often after your cardmember anniversary). Plus, some of the best travel rewards cards offer hotel status for cardholders.

Mind the timing: It’s best to apply for a status match or challenge shortly before you stay with the new hotel chain. That gives you more time to complete any requirements and enjoy your newly minted status.

The bottom line

Status match programs tend to come and go over time, so you’ll want to frequently check the hotel programs you’re interested in to see which new status match offers have come along. By proving you have elite status and taking steps to have it matched, you can enjoy elite perks and try out a competing hotel brand before fully committing to a new brand.

*Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase, The World of Hyatt Credit Card, World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card, New United Club℠ Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card and Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

©2025 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office will not file criminal charges against South St. Paul City Council member Pam Bakken, saying there was no proof that a child at her daycare at ingested meth while under her care.

“This decision was made after a careful review of the evidence presented to my office,” said County Attorney Kathy Keena in a press release Tuesday.

The state could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the methamphetamine was ingested at Bakken’s in-home daycare, given the timing of the onset of symptoms.

South St. Paul City Council member Pam Bakken. (Courtesy of the City of South St. Paul)

“In general, symptoms like what the child displayed — talkativeness, restlessness and vomiting — would be expected to occur within one to three hours after ingesting meth, according to poison control,” the press release said. “Even assuming the child ingested meth while at the day care, the state is unable to prove that Ms. Bakken knew it was present in her home and that she intentionally or recklessly allowed the child to be placed in a situation likely to harm the child’s health, or that she deprived the child necessary supervision appropriate to his age.”

The press release gave the following additional details: On 7:10 a.m., Dec. 6, 2024, the child was dropped off at Bakken’s day care and then taken to preschool at 8:25 a.m. After preschool, the child returned to the day care at 11:30 a.m.

Staff at the day care noticed he was “acting out of character as he was very talkative, fidgety and had a hard time focusing,” the press release said. “The child was then served lunch and vomited shortly thereafter. His mother was advised that he was ill and was asked to pick him up. The child was brought to a local hospital as he continued to display the same abnormal behaviors. During the examination, the child tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamines. He later told his mother that he ate something he found on a rug in the bathroom at day care that tasted ‘gross’ and resembled an ‘onion crumb.’”

Bakken’s in-home day care license remains suspended by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, following the recommendation by Dakota County Community Services. Bakken is appealing the suspension and a contested case hearing is scheduled for July 31.

A group calling for Bakken to step down previously filed paperwork seeking her official recall as a council member.

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By JESSICA DAMIANO

If you enjoy a tasty, refreshing summer cocktail or mocktail, why not grow your own?

No, you’re not likely to grow the spirits — although they do come from plants (vodka from potatoes, tequila from agave and so on). But you can grow other ingredients that make those spirits delicious.

Tips for growing mint and other flavorful herbs

Mint is the easiest herb to grow. It’s so easy it may take over your garden if you aren’t careful, so plant it in a pot and keep the pot away from the soil. Place the pot in full sun and water it regularly. In a few short weeks, you’ll be able to pluck its leaves to liven up your lemonade or mint julep.

If you want to get creative, experiment with a few different varieties. My favorite is spearmint, but peppermint is classic. Chocolate mint, pineapple mint and apple mint each have their charms, named for the scents and flavors they impart. There’s even a specialty variety called Cuban mint, an authentic choice for mojitos.

Basil, too, is available in several cocktail-worthy varieties. Genovese, the Italian variety often paired with tomatoes, works equally well in beverages, as do lemon and cinnamon varieties. Plant them in full sun and provide water, but account for your climate and take care not to over- or underwater them. Remove flower stalks, if they appear, to prevent the leaves from turning bitter.

Lemon verbena smells heavenly and pairs as well with a gin and tonic as it does with sparkling water. Most herbs don’t usually require supplemental nutrients, but lemon verbena benefits from monthly applications of organic liquid fertilizer. Water plants when the soil begins to dry out; overwatering may lead to root rot.

When I have guests, I often muddle sage leaves with 1 ounce each of vodka and ginger liquor, then add to a glass with 4 ounces of ginger beer, and pineapple and lime juices to taste. It’s as simple as can be — and just as impressive.

For the most concentrated flavor, harvest herbs in mid-morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. In my garden, that means around 10 a.m. Place them, stem side down, in a glass of water indoors, out of direct sunlight, until happy hour.

This April 10, 2025, image provided by Jessica Damiano shows mint stems keeping fresh in a glass of water on Long Island, N.Y. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

Strawberries, cucumbers and heat

Don’t forget the strawberries (bonus: The plants come back every year in horticultural zones 4-9) and cucumbers, both mandatory components of a proper British Pimm’s cup, one of my favorite summertime cocktails.

I make mine by packing a highball glass with thinly shaved cucumber, sliced strawberries, mint and a couple of sliced mandarin rounds, then topping it with 1 1/2 ounces of Pimm’s No. 1 liquor and 4 ounces of lemonade or lemon-lime soda.

And if you like your drinks spicy, muddle a red-ripe slice of jalapeno with lime juice and pour a shot of tequila over it, then add your choice of mixer. Or drink it straight. I’m not judging you. I’m just the garden lady.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

For more AP gardening stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.