Criminal Justice
Raising the Bars
Legislature Plans to Close Four Correctional Facilities. Will They Become Immigrant Detention Centers?
Many see the closures as a step in the right direction, but some advocates worry what the empty prisons could mean for immigrant detention.
Lawmakers, agency heads and policy advocates alike see this as a “step in the right direction,” but some worry what empty prisons could mean for immigrant d...Read More
‘Sanctuary Cities’ Bill Attacks Immigrants Who Made ‘Texas Miracle’ Possible
The Texas Miracle would have been impossible without cheap undocumented labor. But now the Legislature is ready to kick immigrants out.
The Texas Miracle would have been impossible without cheap undocumented labor. But now the Legislature is ready to kick immigrants out....Read More
Texas Republicans Vote To Allow Immigration Questioning of Children
Representative Diego Bernal called the vote “soul-crushing.”
Almost all Texas Republicans in the House voted to allow police officers to question children about immigration status during Wednesday’s heated debate on so-...Read More
‘Sanctuary Cities’ Debate Brings Tears, Protests, Feuds to Texas House
Lawmakers gave heartfelt speeches about their experiences as minorities, immigrants and children of immigrants on the Texas House floor Wednesday during heated ...Read More
Bill to License ‘Baby Jails’ as Child Care Facilities Clears First Legislative Hurdle
Senate Bill 1018 would allow prison firms to skip all the burdensome regulations that other child care facilities must deal with.
The private prison companies that run detention centers for immigrant kids and their mothers have a problem: They can’t legally hold families for an extended ...Read More
Dashcam Video: In Rush to Help Deport Immigrants, Texas State Troopers May Be Trampling the Constitution
Legal experts, pointing to a series of Supreme Court rulings, say a DPS trooper may have violated the Fourth Amendment.
Legal experts, pointing to a series of Supreme Court rulings, say a DPS trooper may have violated the Fourth Amendment....Read More
ACLU Urges Texas Sheriffs to Stay out of Costly Immigration Enforcement
“The bottom line is that 287(g) agreements cost counties money while damaging public safety and community trust in law enforcement,” the ACLU letter said.
“The bottom line is that 287(g) agreements cost counties money while damaging public safety and community trust in law enforcement,” the ACLU letter said....Read More
‘Another Book, Another Month, Another Day Closer to You’
The Women’s Storybook Project of Texas is an Austin nonprofit that encourages incarcerated mothers to read to their children.
The Women’s Storybook Project of Texas is an Austin nonprofit that encourages incarcerated mothers to read to their children....Read More
Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Advances Past Committee with GOP Support
Advocates applauded Monday's vote, pointing to the more than 61,000 Texans who were arrested for possession of marijuana in 2015.
Advocates applauded Monday's vote, pointing to the more than 61,000 Texans who were arrested for possession of marijuana in 2015....Read More