Here’s a look at the demographics of the 85th Legislature by lawmakers’ race, gender, age, education and religion.
Demographics
Explore population trends, diversity, and data shaping Texas communities, politics, and policy.
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Criminal Justice
Appeals court panel taking up provision in Texas border security law
On Wednesday the U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals will hear arguments over whether an immigrant harboring provision lawmakers passed nearly two years ago should be implemented.
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Demographics
In diverse Fort Bend, election raised prospects for Democrats
In the suburban enclaves southwest of Houston, Hillary Clinton carried Fort Bend County in what Democrats hope is a sign of things to come in the onetime GOP stronghold.
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Bordering on Insecurity
8 border security secrets state and federal officials don’t want to reveal
Trying to get beyond the rhetoric on border security or immigration at the state or federal level is often a fool’s errand. Here are eight secrets in those often shadowy arenas.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Small steps aim to lessen exploitation of Texas construction workers
In Houston and Austin, some builders are voluntarily trying to ensure that construction workers are paid well and their safety is protected.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Trump’s rhetoric, border surge colored immigration debate in 2016
The president-elect’s tough border talk propelled him to victory, the U.S. Supreme Court dashed President Obama’s deferred action hopes and the Texas border surge drew questions.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Big employers no strangers to benefits of cheap, illegal labor
Two cases illustrate how big-name employers benefit from illegal labor and why undocumented workers are easily exploited.
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Bordering on Insecurity
In Texas, undocumented immigrants have no shortage of work
An underground labor market provides abundant employment opportunities for undocumented immigrants in the United States. But working in the shadows often means accepting low pay and exploitation.
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Bordering on Insecurity
When asked, won’t tell: top three officials duck specifics on illegal hiring
The state’s top elected officials are happy to go on about border security, but they get tongue tied if the conversation turns to cracking down on employers of undocumented immigrants.
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Bordering on Insecurity
In Texas, lawmakers don’t mess with employers of undocumented workers
For all their condemnations of illegal immigration, Texas lawmakers — Republican and Democratic — have shown little interest in cracking down on businesses that employ undocumented workers.
