Sister Norma Pimentel with Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley founded the shelter in McAllen, which serves undocumented immigrants released from federal custody.
Colleen DeGuzman
Colleen DeGuzman is a general assignments reporter. In addition to covering a broad range of topics, she focuses on immigration developments in the state. Before joining the newsroom, Colleen was an enterprise reporter at Houston Public Media, Houston's NPR station. She's also reported for KFF Health News, the Austin-American Statesman, and The Monitor in McAllen. Colleen was previously a reporting fellow at the Texas Tribune, an intern at The Today Show, and NPR NextGen Radio mentee. Colleen, who studied mass communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, was born on one end of the border (El Paso) and proudly raised on the other (the Rio Grande Valley). She is based in Houston.
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Politics
Rod Paige, former U.S. education secretary also known for the “Houston Miracle,” dies at 92
The former Houston ISD superintendent was the first Black person to lead the Department of Education and helped launch the No Child Left Behind Act.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas is cleared to use its new congressional map in 2026. How does gerrymandering impact Texans?
From urban cores to rural regions, Texans’ needs differ. Experts say districts encompassing geographically distant communities will dilute their voices.
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2026 Texas Elections
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from Congress
The Richmond Republican, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, made the announcement with days left before the deadline for candidates to file for the 2026 primaries.
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Economy
Texas is getting far less in federal money for broadband expansion than expected
Rural leaders who have worked years to improve broadband access said they were disappointed by the sharp decrease in federal dollars.
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Politics
Islamic group sues after Gov. Greg Abbott directs DPS to investigate them
The CAIR Legal Defense Fund and another group claim the governor’s proclamation identifying them as terrorists “is defamatory and finds no basis in law or fact.”
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Redistricting Texas 2025
After blocking redistricting map, Judge Jeffrey Brown draws fire from Texas Republicans who once praised him
Until being labeled as the “radical left,” Brown was widely supported by Texas Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, who previously hired him as his clerk. Abbott called the ruling “clearly erroneous.”
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State Government
Cash-strapped Texas city defies AG warning not to raise taxes
Citing a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
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Politics
“You woke us up”: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, energized by Prop 50 redistricting win, thanks Texas
The Democrat took a victory lap on rival Gov. Greg Abbott’s home turf Saturday and called on other blue states to push back on a GOP effort to retain control of the U.S. House.
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2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Al Green switches congressional districts in bid for reelection
The veteran lawmaker whose current district was redrawn to benefit Republicans would face the winner of the 18th Congressional District special election runoff.