For all their condemnations of illegal immigration, Texas lawmakers — Republican and Democratic — have shown little interest in cracking down on businesses that employ undocumented workers.
Jay Root
Jay Root is an award-winning journalist who reported for the Tribune from 2011 to 2020. He covered the dramatic collapse of Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and went on to write an ebook about it called “Oops! A Diary from the 2012 Campaign Trail.” Root also broke the story that put the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, on the path toward criminal indictment, co-wrote an exposé that brought an end to privately funded prosecutions in Travis County, and authored a series of watchdog articles that prompted a wave of firings and resignations at two major state agencies.
In 2017, Root co-directed “Beyond The Wall,” a film exploring border politics in the age of Trump, which won a national Edward R. Murrow award for best news documentary. Root’s latest film, “Border Hustle,” was released in early 2019 and reveals how desperate migrants have become cash cows on both sides of the border.
Previously, for a dozen years, Root was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he chronicled the rise of then-Gov. George W. Bush, wrote about cartel violence in Mexico and covered Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. During a three-year stint at the Associated Press, Root was twice named AP Staff Reporter of the Year for his watchdog reporting, including a story that sparked felony charges against a sitting state representative.
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Bordering on Insecurity
If we hire them, they will come: The demand side of border security
A fundamental truth underlies the nation’s collective failure to stop illegal immigration and smuggling over the southern border: The United States demands the cheap labor and drugs.
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Bordering on Insecurity
With Trump in D.C., Texas might spend less on border
If President-Elect Donald Trump delivers on his promise to dramatically beef up security on the U.S.-Mexico border, leading Texas lawmakers say they might quit spending so much state tax money on it.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Immigrant ‘dreamers’ fear deportation nightmare under Trump
Some undocumented immigrants brought here as kids were granted a sort of legal status by President Barack Obama. They’re in a state of shock and panic now that Donald Trump has won the White House.
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Demographics
Travis County sheriff’s race likely to bring immigration policy shift
Democrat Sally Hernandez was cruising toward easy victory in the race for Travis County sheriff. It’s likely to put her in the crosshairs of the Texas Legislature, where top Republicans are promising to ban “sanctuary city” policies.
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Bordering on Insecurity
U.S.-funded programs try to convince Central Americans to stay home
The United States is helping fund anti-gang initiatives and jobs programs in Central America, trying to decrease the flow of migrants heading north for the Texas-Mexico border.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Mexico fights illegal immigration on its own southern border
Under pressure from the United States, Mexico has tried to cut down the flow of Central American immigrants passing through on their way to the southern U.S. border.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Hiding in Austin, a former El Salvador policeman seeks asylum
After years of trying to help control El Salvador’s violent gangs, the danger became too great for the former detective and his family.
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The Ticket
After 2016, what’s next for Texas’ political parties? (podcast)
Ben Philpott and Jay Root hosted a pre-presidential debate edition of The Ticket at KLRU’s historic studio 6A — where they went beyond the election to talk about what’s next for Republicans and Democrats in Texas.
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Bordering on Insecurity
El Salvador journalist faces threats from gangs, government
Jorge Beltran, a newspaper editor in the murder capital of the world, had to move his own family to keep them safe from gang violence.