Vela on the ICE raids, the border wall, and Beto vs. Joaquin (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/13 conversation with U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville. Full Story
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Immigrants picked up, but no massive raids, authorities say
U.S. and Mexican authorities are pushing back against reports of widespread raids that have sown panic in immigrant communities. But the “targeted operation” appears to be the largest of its kind since President Trump took office. Full Story
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![Consul General Carlos González Gutiérrez]()
Credit: Consulado General de México en Austin -
Reports of immigration raids whip across Texas, but details are sparse
Immigrant communities in Texas and nationwide are swirling with reports of large-scale immigration enforcement by federal agents, but so far details are scant and ICE says its activities are routine. Full Story
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![Austin City Council member Greg Casar comments on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Austin outside the Little Walnut Creek Branch Library on Friday, February 10, 2017. Casar and Council member Delia Garza joined community organizations to speak out against the ICE actions.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Like the Texas Legislature at large, committee chairs are mostly white men
Most of the members of the Texas Legislature are white men — and so are the committee chairs. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus have assigned committee chairs for the 2017 Legislature.]()
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Investigators: Fire that destroyed Victoria mosque was arson
Investigators said Wednesday that someone intentionally set the fire that destroyed a mosque two weeks ago in Victoria, the South Texas town that has since rallied around its Muslim community. Full Story
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![The FBI, ATF and other agencies sift through the burned remains of the Victoria Islamic Center a mosque in Victoria on Jan. 29 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves anti-"sanctuary" legislation, sending bill to House
The Republican-controlled Texas Senate gave its final stamp of approval on Wednesday to a controversial bill that would gut funding from local and state entities that don’t enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, answers questions regarding Senate Bill 4, better known as the anti-"sanctuary cities" bill, on Feb. 7, 2017 in the state Capitol in Austin.]()
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First turned around by travel ban, Syrian refugee family makes it to Texas
For the Almohammad family, a hold on President Trump's refugee ban meant they were finally able to reach Texas and meet the volunteers who would help them call the state home. Full Story
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![The Almohammad family, a refugee family from Syria, arrives at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport late at night on Feb. 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
At homeland security hearing, McCaul calls Trump's travel ban rollout "problematic"
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, the top House Republican on homeland security issues, strongly criticized the Trump administration Monday for the chaotic rollout last month of a travel ban of mostly Muslim countries. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul at TTEvents discusses presidential candidate Donald Trump on Oct. 25, 2016.]()
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Hours before Senate vote, Texas Attorney General calls controversial immigration bill legal
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to ease concerns over whether a measure that would punish "sanctuary cities" and campuses could be successfully challenged in court. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke at a May 25, 2016, news conference announcing a lawsuit filed against the federal government over rules for transgender bathrooms in public schools.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s entry order nationwide
A federal judge in Washington state declared Friday that he would temporarily block enforcement of President Trump’s controversial ban on entry to the United States. Full Story
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![Now-President Donald Trump is shown on Jan. 28, 2016, speaking to a group of veterans at Drake University during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
In party-line vote, Senate committee advances sanctuary cities bill
After hearing more than 16 hours of testimony, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-2 along party lines early Friday morning to advance a bill that would punish local government entities and college campuses that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials or enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![Critics of Senate Bill 4, a bill banning sanctuary cities, protest at the Texas Capitol as the bill is scheduled to be debated before the Senate State Affairs committee on Feb. 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott lays out emergency items (video)
The Texas governor delivered his State of the State address to legislators this week, and he also made good on his pledge to cut funding to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Full Story
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In South Texas, fire-ravaged mosque seen as symbol of unity
Victoria's Muslim community is getting a lot of help picking up the pieces of its burned-down mosque, which has emerged as a symbol of unity amid a time of national fear and discord. Full Story
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![An American flag flies in front of a fire-ravaged mosque in Victoria on Feb. 1, 2017.]()
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In border visit, Abbott urges balance between security, trade
Gov. Greg Abbott told Donald Trump's new Homeland Security secretary Wednesday that border security should be balanced with Texas' economic interests. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly in Weslaco on Feb. 1, 2017.]()
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Ahead of Thursday hearing, Texas Senate adds muscle to anti-sanctuary city bill
Senate Republicans have updated their bill banning sanctuary cities in Texas to cover college campuses and expand potential punishments for local entities that choose to not enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![Sen.Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, continues debate with Sen. Kirk Watson on HB3994 an abortion reform measure on May 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
In "sanctuary" fight, Abbott cuts off funding to Travis County
Gov. Greg Abbott has followed through on his threat to cut off state funding for Travis County over its new "sanctuary" policy. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera/Martin do Nascimento -
The Brief: Travis County's 'sanctuary city' policy begins today
A controversial policy that's provoked the ire of Republicans is set to go into effect today in Travis County. Here's what you need to know about the latest sanctuary city fight. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott and Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera/Martin do Nascimento -
Border Patrol agent convicted of corruption but not murder
Border Patrol Agent Joel Luna was found guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity, but a Cameron County jury acquitted him of murder. Full Story
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![Defense attorney Carlos Garcia (r.) confers with former Border Patrol agent Joel Luna.]()
Credit: Douglas Young for The Texas Tribune -
Hundreds attend vigil for refugees at Austin church
Hundreds of people packed the First English Lutheran Church in Austin on Monday evening as part of an interfaith vigil in support of refugees. Full Story
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![In reaction to the travel ban implemented by President Trump over the weekend, the First English Lutheran church in Austin held a vigil for refugees on Jan. 30, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Hope turns to heartache for Texas volunteers looking to help refugees
President Trump’s executive order restricting travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries and halting refugee admissions left many refugee resettlement agencies wondering what was left of their mission. But they were undeterred. Full Story
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![A group gathered at Wooldridge Park in Austin on Nov. 22, 2015, to protest Gov. Greg Abbott's decision not to accept refugees from Syria.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune