Before Senate Bill 4, a far-reaching immigration law, goes into effect on Sept. 1, opponents are mobilizing across Texas, including those hoping to see more Texas churches offer “sanctuary” to the undocumented.
Julián Aguilar
Julián Aguilar reported for the Tribune from 2009 to 2021, most recently on politics and on the Texas-Mexico border. He focused on immigration reform and enforcement, voter ID, international trade, border security, and the drug trade. His political coverage has included local, legislative and congressional races in Texas, as well as local and national elections in Mexico. Before joining The Texas Tribune, he was a freelance writer for the Fort Worth Weekly, a government and crime reporter for the Laredo Morning Times, and a political writer for the Rio Grande Guardian. A native of El Paso, he has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas and a master's degree in journalism from the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism at the University of North Texas.
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Criminal Justice
Houston Police Chief ready to reluctantly enforce “sanctuary” law
Once Senate Bill 4 goes into effect on Sept. 1, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he’s prepared to lead a police force that allows officers to inquire about the immigration status of people they detain.
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Demographics
Senate passes bill to ease licensing for immigration detention centers
The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to legislation that would make it easier for the state to license privately-run detention centers as “family residential centers” in order to hold immigrant families in detention centers longer.
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Demographics
ACLU issues Texas “Travel Advisory” after governor signs “sanctuary” bill
One of the country’s largest civil rights groups is cautioning against traveling to Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signed what critics have called an extreme state-based immigration bill.
Posted in
State Government
Lawsuit over sanctuary cities bill is just a matter of time, opponents say
Texas’ attorneys will be forced to defend Senate Bill 4, the controversial “sanctuary cities” bill in court, its opponents say.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
“Sanctuary cities” bill clears latest hurdle, heads to Abbott for signature
The Texas Senate on Wednesday voted to send to Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that would ban “sanctuary” jurisdictions in Texas and allow police to inquire about the immigration status of people they lawfully detain.
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Demographics
Protesters on Texas Capitol grounds charged with trespassing
At least two dozen protesters on the grounds of the Texas Capitol on Monday evening were charged with misdemeanor trespassing, the culmination of a day-long sit-in to protest the “sanctuary” jurisdictions bill moving through the Legislature.
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Demographics
“Sanctuary” bill heads back to Senate after marathon House debate
A bill that would outlaw “sanctuary” jurisdictions in Texas cleared its last procedural hurdle in the Texas House Thursday afternoon, just hours after the end of a marathon debate on the measure that stretched into Thursday morning.
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Demographics
After emotional debate, Texas House tentatively passes “sanctuary” legislation
The 93-54 vote fell along party lines and came after one of the slowest moving but most emotional legislative days at the state Capitol.
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Demographics
Trump administration doesn’t view Austin as “sanctuary” city, mayor says
Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he was reassured by United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday that neither his city nor Travis County are considered “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
