Latest Contributions

• Charges filed against five more people in San Antonio smuggling tragedy that killed 53 migrants

  By Uriel J. García June 27, 2023

  A year after the nation’s deadliest human smuggling event, federal prosecutors say seven people face a maximum of life in prison. One of the suspects, who was not identified, has not been arrested. Full Story 

• Supreme Court rejects Texas effort to force Biden administration to change deportation policy

  By Uriel J. García Updated: June 23, 2023

  Texas and Louisiana sued after the Biden administration told immigration agents to focus on deporting undocumented immigrants who are convicted of felonies or pose a risk to public safety. The Supreme Court said states didn’t have any standing to sue. Full Story 

• With another DACA court ruling looming, Texas recipients who are now adults worry about their jobs and futures

  By Uriel J. García June 9, 2023

  A federal judge in Houston is expected to rule for the second time that the Obama-era program is illegal. The possible end of DACA could upend the lives of more than 95,000 Texans enrolled in the program. Full Story 

• With Texas House adjourned, Senate takes bigger swing at border enforcement and human smuggling

  By Uriel J. García June 7, 2023

  Rather than accept the House legislation as is, senators passed their own — more expansive — proposals for border security. But unless the House convenes again, the bills can’t go to the governor’s desk. Full Story 

• Dan Patrick says Senate won’t budge on property tax relief — but there’s no House to negotiate with

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Uriel J. García Updated: June 6, 2023

  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Senate won’t accept a property tax relief bill the lower chamber left behind before adjourning for the special session. A bill targeting migrant smuggling also appears imperiled. Full Story 

• Sheriff files criminal charges over Florida’s transport of migrants from San Antonio to Massachusetts

  By Uriel J. García Updated: June 6, 2023

  The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office didn’t say who it has accused of unlawful restraint in connection with last year’s flight to Martha’s Vineyard paid for by Florida. On Monday, California announced it’s investigating similar flights from El Paso to Sacramento. Full Story 

• Abbott backs Phelan’s property tax cut plan, spurring ire from Patrick

  By Joshua Fechter, Uriel J. García and Alex Nguyen Updated: May 30, 2023

  The House passed a bill without Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s preferred increase to homestead exemptions — then abruptly adjourned for the special session. That basically tells the Senate to take the House bill Gov. Greg Abbott backs or leave it. Full Story 

• A year ago, these Uvalde kids left school early. They’re haunted by what happened next.

  By Uriel J. García and Evan L’Roy May 22, 2023

  The three Treviño children have suffered from panic attacks and nightmares since a mass shooting a year ago this week left 19 of their schoolmates and two teachers dead. Their parents are striving to help their kids feel normal again. Full Story 

• Border migrant encounters have dropped by half since Title 42 ended, federal official says

  By Uriel J. García May 15, 2023

  Federal officials had about 10,000 encounters with migrants per day at the U.S.-Mexico border before the emergency health order ended late Thursday. Since Friday they have had about 5,000 encounters per day. Full Story 

• Border didn’t see a “major influx” of migrants when Title 42 ended, federal official says

  By Uriel J. García Updated: May 12, 2023

  Although migrants lined up by the hundreds in El Paso and other border crossings as the public health order was winding down, a Biden administration official said there wasn’t a rush to the border when Title 42 was lifted. Full Story