The Brief: Aug. 7, 2014
Texas' immigration woes have held the spotlight for weeks, but the breadth of the state's approach to border security is just now coming into focus. Full Story
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![U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling in the Rio Grande Valley.]()
Credit: Julian Aguilar -
Aide: Perry Chose Best Option on National Guard Funding
Gov. Rick Perry’s office pushed back Tuesday against criticism that he overreached in funding the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to the border. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry, flanked by State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Texas Adjutant General John Nichols, announces the deployment of National Guard troops to the Texas border on July 21, 2014.]()
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Congress' Inaction Leaves Border Communities Hoping for Funding
When Congress adjourned last week without passing a border security bill to pay for additional operations, it also left local governments without an avenue to be reimbursed for millions spent during the border crisis. Full Story
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![A detainee sleeps in a holding cell at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing facility, Wednesday, June 18, 2014, in Brownsville, Texas. CPB provided media tours Tuesday of two locations in Brownsville and Nogales, Ariz. that have been central to processing the more than 47,000 unaccompanied children who have entered the country illegally since Oct. 1.]()
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Issue That Dogged Perry Now Offers Him an Inroad
Gov. Rick Perry took a beating on the presidential campaign trail for what some conservatives considered his soft stance on immigration. But now, as he eyes another bid, the same issue is allowing him to appeal to the voters who once rejected him. Full Story
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Villalba Urges GOP to Woo Hispanics
State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, urged the GOP to focus on appealing to Hispanic voters, emphasizing that the “ultimate survivability of the Republican Party” is at stake, in an Austin speech Thursday. Full Story
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![Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, takes questions from reporters after filing the Protection of Texas Children Act on Feb. 6, 2013.]()
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Lawmakers Grill State Officials Over Border Spending
At a committee hearing on Tuesday, state lawmakers questioned officials over what’s being accomplished with the millions of dollars in extra spending aimed at shoring up security along the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story
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![The exterior of the Texas Capitol in April 2014.]()
Credit: Anneke Paterson for The Texas Tribune -
Castro Invites Perry to Discuss Border With Texas Reps
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, has asked Gov. Rick Perry to meet with the entire Texas congressional delegation to discuss the influx of illegal immigrants at the border and to “help set a more positive tone.” Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, at a victory party for congressional candidate Pete Gallego at Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio on Nov. 6, 2012.]()
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Migrant Children Put Foster Care Rules in Spotlight
The influx of children into the state from Central America has many Texans wondering how they can help. Foster care is one option, but advocates say potential foster parents should first understand the differences between the state and federal systems. Full Story
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![On June 24, 2014, volunteers gather at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, where the Rio Grande Valley Catholic Charities have a makeshift shelter to help handle the surge of immigrants who have crossed into the U.S. in recent weeks.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cuellar: "Failure is Not an Option" on Border Crisis
If lawmakers do not act to address the immigration crisis on Texas' southern border before their August break, smugglers will get the message that the government does not take the crisis seriously, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar says. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) speaks with state Rep. Doug Miller R-New Braunfels, during a visit to the Texas Capitol on Feb. 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Series: Falling Behind
Check out Falling Behind, our 10-part series on the flip side of state leaders' aggressive pursuit of the "Texas Miracle" — from water woes and backed up traffic to missed opportunities in public education and climate change. Full Story
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Analysis: A Border Plan — and a Political One
Gov. Rick Perry said a plan to send National Guard troops to the state's border with Mexico was necessary because the federal government isn't doing enough there. The move could also address a political weak spot he discovered in his 2012 presidential run. Full Story
![Gov. Rick Perry, flanked by State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Texas Adjutant General John Nichols, announces the deployment of National Guard troops to the Texas border on July 21, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Sending Guard Troops to the Border
Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he is sending up to 1,000 National Guard troops to help beef up security along the Texas-Mexico border. The operation will cost an estimated $12 million a month. Full Story
![Gov. Rick Perry, flanked by State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Texas Adjutant General John Nichols, announces the deployment of National Guard troops to the Texas border on July 21, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Feeling "Invisible," Black Residents Leave Austin
Among large, fast-growing cities, Austin is the only one with a shrinking African-American population, according to a report from the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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![Natalie Madeira Cofield, president and CEO of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, in her South Congress Avenue neighborhood in Austin.]()
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Lost in a Pressing Crisis at the Border: Perpetual Immigration Issues
As attention centers on the thousands of unaccompanied minors crossing the Texas-Mexico border, activists in the Rio Grande Valley are working hard to ensure that their ongoing campaigns continue to gain traction after the current crisis subsides. Full Story
![U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling in the Rio Grande Valley.]()
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Patrick, Van de Putte Take Aim at Border Crisis
As the recent surge of Central Americans entering the country illegally through Texas’ border with Mexico has drawn national attention, it has also become a major talking point for the 2014 candidates for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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![Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick, who are facing off in a fiery race to become the state's next lieutenant governor, address delegates at their respective party's state conventions in June.]()
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Undocumented Journalist Faces Uncertain Future After Detention
Jose Antonio Vargas, the country's highest-profile undocumented immigrant, was detained by Border Patrol officials in McAllen on Tuesday. Now all eyes are on the federal government, which must decide whether to begin deportation proceedings or let Vargas stay. Full Story
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Texas Democrats Divided Over Bill Targeting Border Crisis
Proposed legislation to address the surge of unaccompanied Central American children crossing into the U.S. is dividing Texas’ border lawmakers. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, spoke Tuesday, Sept. 3, during an El Paso town hall forum on whether the U.S. should take action against Syria.]()
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Vigil Near Shelter in Support of Migrants Sparks Concern
Immigrant rights groups began a three-day vigil in McAllen on Thursday in support of the thousands of unaccompanied and undocumented Central American children in Texas detention centers. Full Story
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Credit: Julián Aguilar -
Amid Immigration Controversy, Obama Focuses on Economy
In a speech in downtown Austin on Thursday, President Obama largely avoided discussion of the ongoing immigration troubles in Texas, and instead talked about economic progress made under his watch. Full Story
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![President Barack Obama in a speech to Texas Democrats at the Paramount Theater July 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Obama Visit Becomes Talking Point in Governor's Race
President Obama’s visit to Texas became fodder in the governor’s race Thursday, with Democrat Wendy Davis suggesting he should visit the U.S-Mexico border in person and Republican Greg Abbott challenging him to adopt the “Texas model” in Washington. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott, the GOP nominee for governor, spoke at the Lavazza coffee shop, a few blocks away from where President Obama spoke later in the day on July 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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