Texas was among the first states to heed Trump administration directives to revoke commercial driver’s licenses from some immigrants as a safety measure.
Alex Nguyen
Alex Nguyen is a general assignment reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Before joining the newsroom in 2025, she was a breaking news reporter at The Dallas Morning News. She previously was a reporting fellow for the Tribune and a reporting intern at Bloomberg News. A graduate of Columbia University’s Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, Alex was raised mostly in Vancouver, Canada, and she has reported for various regional and national outlets there. She speaks Vietnamese and conversational Spanish and will be based in Austin.
Posted in
Politics
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar faces removal attempt following federal fraud indictment
Cuellar has denied that he defrauded the sheriff’s office during the COVID-19 pandemic. His brother is Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Posted in
Politics
By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas cities
The governor’s threats have produced quick wins on hot-button issues important to the GOP base – immigration and perceived threats posed by Islam.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas agency that inspects jails doesn’t go far to find its new director
Ricky Armstrong had been interim director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which monitors county lockups that mainly hold people awaiting trial, since February.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Republican runoff: Who is running for Place 3 and what to know
The criminal court decides death penalty case appeals and rules on petitions for those who believe they’ve been wrongfully detained. Alison Fox and Thomas Smith are in the runoff for Place 3’s Republican nominee.
Posted in
Immigration
ICE warrants were central to Abbott’s immigration dispute with Texas cities. Here’s how they work.
Unlike criminal warrants, ICE administrative warrants don’t require approval from an independent judge. ICE defends the practice, but legal experts say they can have errors and risk wrongful detention.
Posted in
State Government
Austin, Dallas revise police policy allowing more ICE cooperation after Abbott funding cut threat
Austin, which on Friday became the third city to revise similar policies, had $2.5 million in public safety grants at risk before receiving a deadline extension to make the changes.
Posted in
Immigration
ICE releases El Gamal family after re-arresting mother and 5 children, attorney says
A plane carrying the family to Michigan was reportedly on its way back to Colorado after a Texas federal judge ordered a halt to their deportation following his ruling that they be released.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Houston City Council approves gutting policy limiting ICE cooperation, civil rights groups say
In contrast to the civil rights groups’ assessment, Houston’s city attorney told council members that the amendment — crafted by the mayor’s staff and the governor’s office — brings no major changes.
Posted in
Health care
Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to help
The state’s effort will get a boost from the federal government thanks to a new executive order from President Donald Trump.
