The Brief: Trump's travel ban leads to chaotic weekend
Tribune today
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Trump's executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries led to the detainment of several travelers at Texas airports.
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What you need to know
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East. What followed was a chaotic weekend at the nation's airports as travelers with valid visas trying to enter to the United States were detained.
- Several individuals were detained at Dallas and Houston airports as a result of Trump's executive order. In Dallas, more than 100 lawyers showed up at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to offer free legal help to detainees.
- Four federal courts have temporarily blocked various parts of Trump's executive order. But Reveal News reported that some detained travelers were still being kept from speaking with lawyers.
- A majority of Texas Republicans have remained silent on the ban, and the Republicans who have spoken up have mostly done so in support. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have not yet weighed in.
- But there are exceptions. U.S. Rep. Will Hurd is the sole Texas Republican in Congress to come out against the ban, and others have hedged slightly.
- So what's next? Legally speaking, expect the executive order to play out in the courts. On the messaging front, Trump's White House isn't backing down. After the multiple court orders and chaotic weekend, two unnamed officials called the travel ban a “massive success story in terms of implementation on every single level.”
This is a developing story. Follow Texas Tribune reporters Abby Livingston and Alexa Ura for updates or subscribe to our breaking news alerts.
Other stories we're watching today:
- A jury may rule Monday in a gruesome murder case involving a Border Patrol agent. The case underscores concerns about broader corruption along the border. Follow Texas Tribune reporter Jay Root for updates.
- The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is holding its first ever State of Latino Affairs to highlight issues important to Texas Latinos. Follow Texas Tribune reporters Alexa Ura and Julian Aguilar for updates.
- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will unveil school choice legislation Monday afternoon. Follow Texas Tribune reporter Aliyya Swaby for updates.
- The House and Senate convene at 2 p.m. You can watch the broadcasts live on our site here.
News from home
- If you know someone affected by Trump's refugee ban in Texas, we want to talk to you.
- Join the engineers who keep our site buzzing! We're hiring a software developer. Apply here.
What we're reading
(Links below lead to outside websites; paywall content noted with $)
Outpouring of support overwhelms mosque members, The Victoria Advocate
No stopping Texas shale boom as Permian fever spreads to pipes, The Midland Reporter-Telegram
McAllen breaks ground on intelligence center, The Monitor
1-year later: Investigation continues, but Children's Hope could see more kids, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
In State of the City, Adler blasts Trump's refugee order, calls Austin home to immigrants, KUT
Rawlings to immigrants detained at DFW: "On behalf of the citizens of Dallas, we're sorry," Dallas Observer
Inside the 'war room' at DFW, where more than 100 lawyers volunteered to help detainees, The Dallas Morning News ($)
Texas CPS veterans angry they’re left out of pay raises as confusion on rules sets in, The Dallas Morning News ($)
UT regents chairman apologizes for saying black perspective on board not 'critical', The Dallas Morning News ($)
'Bury this!' Women send Gov. Greg Abbott soiled tampons, pads to protest fetal burial rule, The Dallas Morning News ($)
Lawmakers want Abbott to take a more vocal role in passing, blocking bills, Houston Chronicle ($)
Turner, feds clash over affordable housing policies,Houston Chronicle ($)
For your calendar
The Texas Tribune will moderate a conversation on ethics, transparency and open government with state Sens. Van Taylor and Kirk Watson and state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione tomorrow at The Austin Club. RSVP here.
For a complete list of upcoming events, visit our site here.
Photo of the day
Anti-abortion demonstrators march up Congress Ave. towards the Capitol in Austin for the Texas Rally for Life on Jan. 28, 2017. Photo by Bob Daemmrich. See more photos on our Instagram account.
Quote to note
"Isolating ourselves from the world does not make us safer — it only isolates us. Our nation does not back down from what is right because of fear. That is not who we are. This executive order is rooted not in fact but in fear, which actually cedes power to terrorists who have terrorized the people our country now shuns. Those terrorist will use this as a rallying cry for years to come."
— Aaron Rippenkroeger of Refugee Services of Texas about Trump's executive order to cut back the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program via TribTalk
The Brief is written and compiled by your morning news baristas, Bobby Blanchard and Cassi Pollock. If you have feedback or questions, please email thebrief@texastribune.org. We're a nonprofit newsroom, and count on readers like you to help power newsletters like this. Did you like what you read today? Show your appreciation by becoming a member or making a donation today.
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