demographics

Illegal Crossings Fall as Border Rhetoric Soars

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 9, 2011

A sour economy, increased border law enforcement and skyrocketing smuggling fees are keeping more would-be crossers at home. But you wouldn't know it from the presidential campaigns. Full Story

Credit: Edmond Meinfelder
Weekend Insider: Immigration and Politics, Second Chance Candidates

By Justin Dehn Dec. 8, 2011

In this episode of Weekend Insider, Tribune reporter Julian Aguilar discusses immigration and politics, and executive editor Ross Ramsey discusses talks about candidates looking to voters for a second chance. Full Story
Inside Intelligence: About That Football Game...

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 5, 2011

For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked what issues might surface in the party primaries, whether the Voting Right Act is still necessary — and if the state should mandate a Longhorn-Aggie game on Thanksgiving. Full Story
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Evan Smith Dec. 3, 2011

Aaronson maps the growth of poverty in Texas, Aguilar on the suicide of an illegal immigrant, Galbraith on the prospect of more rolling blackouts, Grissom on a prosecutor's memory lapse, Hamilton on the prospect of public universities undergoing a sunset review, Murphy's latest awesome redistricting interactive, Ramsey on a stumbling start to the 2012 election season, Root on Rick Perry's latest populist tirade, M. Smith on the boom in for-profit teacher certification programs and Tan on the fight against cervical cancer in ... Africa: The best of our best content from November 28 to December 2, 2011. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Child Abuse Reports Up as Economy Falters

By Claire Cardona Dec. 2, 2011

Experts speculate that a key factor in the increase in reports of child abuse and neglect is the struggling economy. The number of reported cases of abuse has grown 6 percent in Texas since 2008, before the recession. Full Story

Credit: Jennifer Whitney
In the Meantime

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 1, 2011

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released more interim charges he wants Senate committees to consider before the upper chamber gavels in January 2013. And it should be a surprise to few that there's a sustained focus on the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Dewhurst Releases Interim Charges on Border Security, Trafficking

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 1, 2011

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released a list today of border security-related issues he wants Senate committees to consider in advance of the 2013 legislative session. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Updated: A Teenager's Suicide Spurs DREAM Activists

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 1, 2011

In the wake of an illegal immigrant's suicide last week, Texas groups urging passage of the DREAM Act are aiming to make sure what happened to Joaquin Luna doesn't happen to other students. Full Story

Credit: Julian Aguilar / Todd Wiseman
Perry Says America "Snookered" by D.C., Wall Street

By Jay Root Nov. 30, 2011

Rick Perry sharpened his populist tirade against Wall Street financiers and Washington politicians Wednesday, saying Americans had been “snookered” by bogus investments and a string of taxpayer-financed bailouts. Full Story

Credit: Gage Skidmore
Does Arpaio Help Perry?

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 30, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry picked up a substantial endorsement on Tuesday from controversial Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, it's unclear whether the endorsement will be enough to turn around Perry's flagging campaign. Full Story

Credit: Gage Skidmore
Perry a Tough Sell in New Hampshire

By Jay Root Nov. 29, 2011

Rick Perry barnstormed New Hampshire and the talk radio circuit Tuesday to showcase his endorsement from immigration hardliner Joe Arpaio, but there were few visible signs that the Arizona sheriff’s blessing will revive the governor’s campaign. Full Story

Credit: Jay Root
Updated: Perry Gets Nod From Arizona Sheriff Arpaio

By Jay Root Nov. 29, 2011

"America's toughest sheriff," as he calls himself, joined Rick Perry on the campaign trail today as the governor aims to mend fences with the GOP voters he has alienated with his moderate stands on illegal immigration. Full Story

Credit: Gage Skidmore / Todd Wiseman
Perry, Paul Show Stark Differences in Latest GOP Debate

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 23, 2011

Last night's CNN debate on national security highlighted significant differences among the GOP presidential candidates — in particular, between Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
Guest Column: It's the New Economy, Stupid

By James Aldrete Nov. 22, 2011

Texas Democrats have a compelling message that resonates beyond the Party faithful: We believe investing in an educated workforce is essential to competing for high-paying jobs in an information-based economy. Full Story
Guest Column: Demographics, and Ideas

By Mustafa Tameez and Greg Wythe Nov. 22, 2011

If Texas Democrats want to magnify the advantages of a shifting demographic, they need to better practice the fine art of persuasion. Full Story
Guest Column: Don't Wait for Demographics

By Matt Angle Nov. 22, 2011

The most important obstacle Texas Democrats must overcome has less to do with candidates, competence, money or strategy than it does with confidence. Full Story
How Democrats Can Come Back: Three Views

By Evan Smith Nov. 22, 2011

How can the party of LBJ, Ann Richards and Henry Cisneros regain its footing? We asked three prominent Democratic strategists for their take. Full Story
DHS Refutes Lamar Smith's Immigration "Stonewalling" Allegations

By Julián Aguilar Nov. 22, 2011

Responding to "stonewalling" allegations by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, Homeland Security officials said they are spending hours compiling immigration arrest data. If it doesn't please the congressman's committee, DHS could be held in contempt. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Ryan J. Reilly / Todd Wiseman
Two Mayors, Two Views on Using War-Zone Equipment on Border

By Julián Aguilar Nov. 21, 2011

Mayors of cities along the Texas-Mexico border intent on protecting the images of their communities are drawing vastly different conclusions about a proposal that would bring in equipment from overseas war zones to bolster border-security efforts. Full Story
Guest Column: Call Them "Unauthorized"

By Daniel Kowalski Nov. 15, 2011

Whether we use the word illegal or unauthorized, alien or migrant, or whether we call it a banana, the only thing that matters is whether, and when, we enact meaningful, and comprehensive, immigration reform. Full Story