John Rubio, 46, became the state’s eighth death row inmate to be executed this year. Rubio killed his 1-month-old daughter, 1-year-old son and his common-law wife’s 3-year-old child.
Criminal Justice
Get the latest Texas Tribune coverage on criminal justice, including crime, courts, law enforcement, and reforms shaping the state’s justice system.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2027
Lawmakers propose banning Flock camera grants by Texas agency
The grants, funded by a fee on Texans’ auto insurance policies, helped install more than 3,200 of the surveillance cameras.
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Criminal Justice
Texas appeals order requiring prison air conditioning, saying it puts operations at risk
TDCJ, which estimates climate control will cost $1.5 billion, said the federal judge’s order imposes “chaos and confusion” on the country’s largest prison system.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas spent billions on border security. What happens to Greg Abbott’s mission when Dems take over?
After Abbott’s defeat, Texas’ new governor faces questions about Operation Lone Star, border security and the future of immigration enforcement.
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Immigration
ICE agent accused of hitting immigrant in Houston with an SUV turns himself in
Houston ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales turned himself in after being indicted on a felony assault charge for striking a man with his SUV.
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Immigration
U.S. Supreme Court leaves in place limits on when deportation cases can be paused
The court declined to block a settlement between Texas and the Justice Department that effectively restricts when judges can use their discretion in how quickly immigration cases are resolved.
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Immigration
Trump administration can hold immigrants in ICE custody without bond, court rules
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled detained immigrants don’t have a constitutional right to a bond hearing after they enter the country illegally.
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State Government
Head of Texas juvenile justice department resigns
It’s not immediately clear why TJJD Executive Director Shandra Carter left the role, which she had held since 2022.
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Immigration
Dallas man who died in Laredo ICE facility was lawful permanent resident
ICE said Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias obtained his legal status fraudulently because he failed to disclose a 2004 arrest for theft. His daughter disputes that.
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Courts
Texas man seeks to have armed robbery conviction tossed over no-warrant Flock camera search
Defense lawyers asked a federal appeals court to void the conviction, arguing the cameras give police more power than the Constitution allows.
