ProPublica is tracking the historic rise in challenges filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal.
Courts
Stay up to date on Texas courts with in-depth coverage of major rulings, judicial elections, criminal justice, and the judges shaping state law from The Texas Tribune.
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Investigations
Texas court district leads U.S. in immigrants challenging legality of federal detention
The administration’s push for mass deportations has resulted in more than 18,000 habeas petitions, a historic high. Texas and California account for about 40% of cases this year.
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Environment
Attorney general sues Bastrop factory after residents complain about noxious odors
The state’s environmental regulator has issued multiple environmental violations and the lawsuit states the company has failed to fix the problems.
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Hill Country floods
Family of still-missing camper sues to shut down Camp Mystic
The lawsuit by Catherine and Will Steward, parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward, argues the family who owns and operates the camp should “never be responsible for children again.”
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Courts
Attorney General Ken Paxton asks judge to shut down Muslim advocacy group CAIR
This is the latest in a deluge of investigations and litigation against Muslim groups in Texas.
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State Government
Texas law barring state investment in firms boycotting fossil fuels declared unconstitutional
A judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.
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Health care
Despite court win, Texas dementia fund still paused from going into effect
A Travis County judge on Wednesday ruled against a request to stop the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, but because the lawsuit is still in play, the fund can’t go into effect.
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Immigration
5-year-old Liam Ramos and his dad released from detention in Texas
The pair have returned home to Minnesota, according to Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro.
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Immigration
Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his dad released from detention in Texas
Images of Liam Conejo Ramos, with a bunny hat and Spiderman backpack being surrounded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers, sparked even more outcry about President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown.
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Courts
AG Ken Paxton cannot shut down Texas Latino voting group, judge rules
Paxton had accused Jolt Initiative of an “unlawful voter registration scheme,” but a federal judge found the AG failed to offer “any plausible proof” of wrongdoing.