So Far From Heaven, So Close to Texas: Duncan Wood on Trump, Mexico, and Texas
One of America’s premier Mexico experts discusses how Mexico’s populist president is changing relations between Texas and our neighbor to the south.
One of America’s premier Mexico experts discusses how Mexico’s populist president is changing relations between Texas and our neighbor to the south.
No matter that the federal government formally objects to his project and plans to build its own just two miles away.
Long criticized for his political caution, the former San Antonio mayor and Obama cabinet member had a profound effect on the presidential primary.
Immigrants in limbo under the “Remain in Mexico” program are prepared for the long haul.
For the second time in a week, the pro-Trump group has been told to stand down.
Chad Wolf was in the Rio Grande Valley last week for a border wall photo-op, but over a meal of cordon bleu he heard from businesspeople about economic woes.
Environmentalists worry the wall could worsen flooding and violate an international treaty.
Crews have built a small section of steel fencing in Hidalgo County. Is it all for show?
Critics say it’s a political gimmick. It’s unclear when, or if, the administration can erect the steel barrier through the Rio Grande Valley.
Asylum seekers subject to Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy wait in fear and boredom at a gritty tent encampment.
Some Texas Democrats are quietly urging the former San Antonio mayor to drop his White House bid, but many Hispanics wish him to fight on.
At hearings in tent courtrooms this week, migrant families were confused and fearful about their prospects.
On the first day of “return to Mexico” hearings, attorneys and journalists were turned away from the tent courtrooms where the hearings are taking place.
In a rare court hearing, detainees describe severe overcrowding, no access to legal assistance, and inadequate medical care in the hieleras.
Activists are concerned that the Trump administration will circumvent congressional prohibitions against building a barrier through the South Texas preserve.
The lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind involving family separation and suicide.
The federal government’s efforts threaten to cut off access to much of the Valley’s natural beauty and forever alter life along the river.
The lifelong Texan discusses the need to reintroduce America’s better angels into the immigration debate.
The community organizer is expected to make a play for millennials and young people of color.
What the rest of the country will see in the days to come is a city of resilience, compassion, and honesty.
Two Texas Democrats are calling on Republican attorney general Ken Paxton to sue the feds for reimbursement of border security costs. But legal experts think it’s a bad idea.
“We’re definitely seeing a race to the bottom in terms of the dehumanization of immigrants,” the lawyer said.
They called it the kumbaya session, but we still found plenty of scoundrels and statesmen.
Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects.
Seven Democratic hopefuls are within striking distance of Trump, with Joe Biden leading the pack.
The last few days have brought tearful, angry debate over abortion, religious discrimination, and LGBTQ rights.
House lawmakers are watching the clock as a key lawmaker's absence from the Capitol has suddenly imperiled a controversial elections measure.
The Big Three are desperate to save their property tax proposal. Among the ideas to buy down property taxes is an increase in the oil and gas severance tax.
The San Antonio congressman said he feels he can accomplish more in the majority party in the U.S. House
Rosie Castro is known in San Antonio as a firebrand political activist. Her son is a cautious career politician running for president. But don’t let appearances deceive you—they’re fighting the same fight.
The state’s senior U.S. senator is calling out Joaquin Castro and MJ Hegar in particular.
The senators who will help finalize the state budget—which affects 28 million Texans—are all white and Republican, and four of the five are from the Houston area.
In a powerful floor speech Monday, Senator Kel Seliger offers a demonstration of decency that diminishes the lieutenant governor’s raw power play.
Unless a compromise can be reached next week, Patrick's decision to move forward will upend decades of Senate tradition.
The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker line up behind a penny increase to the sales tax to provide property tax relief.
The Fort Worth lawmaker led the charge to decriminalize a summer tradition.
A Joaquin Castro candidacy instantly makes next year's Senate race competitive, observers say.
Amid what Border Patrol calls an unsustainable influx, Sister Norma’s Humanitarian Respite Center and its wide network of volunteers continue to provide for all who come through its doors.
Multiple reports say all Senate Democrats are unified in opposition to confirming David Whitley—enough to kill the nomination.
The rookie lawmaker stunned the Texas Senate.
The president also seemed focused on a nearby counter-protest featuring Beto O’Rourke.
The Austin senator grills the secretary of state to get to the bottom of the controversial elections advisory.
In a gentler state of the state speech, the governor also said the federal government has not fulfilled its mandate to protect our border.
One of the most anticipated lists in Texas politics will be publicly deliberated for the first time.
The opinion to call the flawed list back comes as Governor Abbott downplayed the inaccuracies as a work in progress.
Secretary of State David Whitley has advised counties that his office has identified 95,000 non-citizens who may be registered voters, of which 58,000 have voted. Is this large-scale fraud or a scare tactic?
A bill introduced by State Representative Roland Gutierrez also directs state agencies to determine how new wall construction would affect water quality and environmental contamination.
The move by the lieutenant governor comes amid escalating tensions with Amarillo Republican senator Kel Seliger.
The well-known humanitarian says community leaders weren't even represented in what turned out to be a scripted event touting Trump's plans.
The first step in that direction came from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who announced a bill that would give Texas teachers a $5,000 pay raise.
The former San Antonio mayor threw his hat in the ring during a formal announcement Saturday.