In this special edition of the Political Roundup: Texas lawmakers introduce and advance legislation in Washington to create new curbs on Syrian refugees entering the country. And the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two Texas cases.
Immigration
In-depth reporting on border issues, policies, communities, and the impact of immigration across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Jail Practices, Fingerprints Focus of House Immigration Hearing
The Dallas County Sheriff fired back at what she called inaccurate rumors on her immigration policies during an interim House committee hearing Thursday. Lawmakers also heard about an ill-conceived law that is hindering the state’s identification of criminals.
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Demographics
For Abbott, A Balancing Act Between Catholic Faith and Politics
A practicing Roman Catholic, Gov. Greg Abbott often cites the spiritual underpinnings of his political positions. His stance on barring Syrian refugees from Texas is his latest break with many leaders of his faith.
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Demographics
Judge Rejects Paxton Bid to Block Syrian Refugees
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s second attempt to immediately block the arrival of additional Syrian refugees was even shorter-lived than the first. A federal judge on Wednesday quickly rejected his request.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Emotional Testimony Targets Plan to License Detention Centers
As state officials consider licensing two private detention facilities as approved residential centers for undocumented children, they heard several hours of testimony in opposition to the move Wednesday.
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Demographics
Supreme Court Justices Question UT-Austin’s Affirmative Action Policy
U.S. Supreme Court justices dissected UT-Austin’s unusual admissions procedures on Wednesday, questioning whether Texas’ flagship campus should keep using race as a factor when evaluating some of its applicants.
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Demographics
Affirmative Action at UT and Beyond at Stake in Supreme Court Case
The eyes of higher education will be upon the University of Texas at Austin v. Fisher on Wednesday, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments about the future of affirmative action.
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Demographics
Syrians Small Fraction of Refugees Reaching Texas
Federal resettlement numbers show a refugee population in Texas that is mostly from Myanmar — which the U.S. State Department still classifies as Burma — and Iraq, with most living in the state’s major metropolitan areas.
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Demographics
Judge: No Hearing This Week in Refugee Case
A federal judge in Dallas said Monday it will be several weeks before he takes up a case in which Texas is suing the federal government and a refugee nonprofit over Syrian refugees, according to a lawyer connected to the suit.
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Criminal Justice
Cuellar: Time to Change Cuban Immigration Policy
A special U.S. immigration policy provision allows Cubans to apply for legal residency status after living in the country for a year. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar says that the provision needs another look.
