The idea was to rein in the amount of unauthorized immigrants with IDs or driver’s licenses. But steps lawmakers took in that direction have some concerned they cast too wide a net.
Immigration
In-depth reporting on border issues, policies, communities, and the impact of immigration across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Demographics
Conditions, Health Risks Sicken Colonias Residents
Along the Texas-Mexico border, colonias residents tell identical stories: of migrating with dreams of safety and prosperity, of getting swindled into buying worthless land, of sticking it out so their children will get educated. And of getting sick.
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Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aguilar on a change in law that affects applications for state-issued IDs, Galbraith on how the drought is taking its toll on wildlife, Hamilton on an outsider’s attempt to lower the cost of higher ed, Murphy visualizes the partisanship of House members, Ramsey on who becomes Lite Guv if David Dewhurst takes another job, Ramshaw on life in the colonias and three stories about Rick Perry — Grissom on how his death penalty stance might play in a 2012 presidential race, Root on how he cemented his reputation as one of the state’s most powerful governors and Tan on the growing demand for him to speak elsewhere: The best of our best content from July 4 to July 8, 2011.
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Demographics
Video: Health and Conditions in Texas’ Colonias
On the Texas side of the U.S. border with Mexico, an estimated half a million people live in colonias, impoverished subdivisions that often lack basic services. Take our video tour of some of the worst — and most improved — conditions.
Posted in
Demographics
Red Tape, Catch-22s Slow Progress in Texas Colonias
Conditions have clearly improved in Texas’ colonias since devious developers first established them for migrant workers in the 1950s. But many efforts have fallen short, the result of bureaucratic nightmares and a spiral of confusion and fees.
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Demographics
Proof of Legal Status Now Required for State-Issued ID Cards
An amendment attached to SB 1 during the special session will require applicants for driver’s licenses and other state-issued identification cards to produce government-issued documents affirming their legal status.
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Demographics
Mexico and the U.S. Agree to Terms on Trucking Deal
U.S. and Mexico inked a deal today that marks the end of a years-long dispute over how far past the border long-haul tractor-trailers can travel.
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Demographics
Video: The Week In Texas Politics: June 27 – July 1, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
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Demographics
Lawmaker to State Troopers: Help Fight Drug Cartels
A border-area lawmaker in Texas wants state troopers to help the federal government stop southbound weapons and funds that are boosting Mexican drug cartels. Hernán Rozemberg of public radio’s Fronteras Desk reports.
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Demographics
Video: Texas Tea Party Voters Disappointed
Tea Partiers thought this session was their time to shine, after helping to elect and elevate the GOP to supermajority status in the state House. As The Texas Tribune’s Thanh Tan reports, they’re disappointed some of their pet issues were not resolved.