Border & Immigration
December 1, 2011
Living With the Border Fence
The border fence cuts through a Valley farmer's property, upending his family's life.
Immigration
Politics & Policy
September 26, 2011
Blood and irony
Does anybody else find it ironic that Perry is faltering because of the rare good deeds that he has done, such as the Dream Act and the HPV mandate? The guy spends ten years being a total hardline conservative with a couple of exceptions, and suddenly his own party is
Politics & Policy
September 20, 2011
T(ea) is for trouble
The Texas tea party's revolt over Rick Perry's immigration stand is, well, revolting. I seldom agree with Perry, but he is right this time--right in a moral sense, but wrong politically. Building a wall will not make Texas a better state. Denying scholarships to the children of immigrants will not
News & Politics
October 31, 2010
Back to the Future
A trip through South Texas in search of the ghosts of borders past—and a vision for what comes next.
Politics & Policy
July 28, 2010
Arizona court enjoins the main provisions of S.B. 1070
The outcome of the Arizona immigration lawsuit was inevitable. The Arizona statute is preempted by federal law and by the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. From the Court's opinion: "The United States asserts that mandatory determination of immigration status for all arrestees “conflicts with federal law because it necessarily
Politics & Policy
July 14, 2010
The Arizona lawsuit: the wrong venue?
My copy of the federal government’s complaint plainly says that the lawsuit is brought in the District Court for the District of Arizona. But will it stay there? Article 3, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution reads: In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in
Politics & Policy
July 13, 2010
U.S. v. Arizona: Who wins?
In its lawsuit against the state of Arizona that objects to S.B. 1070, the new Arizona immigration law, the U.S. Department of Justice [quoting from the complaint] "seeks to declare invalid and preliminarily and permanently enjoin the enforcement of S.B. 1070," because "S.B. 1070 is preempted by federal law and
Politics & Policy
June 23, 2010
Public Policy Polling sees Hispanic shift in Texas
From the PPP Web site: Our poll of the Texas Governor's race this week is another data point indicating possible backlash for Republican candidates this fall in the wake of the Arizona immigration law. When we polled the race in February Rick Perry led Bill White by 6
Politics & Policy
May 20, 2010
Can’t be done
Over the past couple of days, the main topic on this blog has been the controversy over the Arizona immigration law. I understand why Debbie Riddle and others want to do something about illegal immigration. What I don’t understand is why they think that passing a law will achieve anything.
Politics & Policy
May 4, 2010
Bill prohibiting ethnic studies advances in Arizona
This report is from the Arizona Star (Tucson): PHOENIX – State senators approved legislation aimed at the curbing the ethnic-studies program in Tucson Unified School District. HB 2281 would make it illegal for a school district to have any courses or classes that promote the overthrow of the
Politics & Policy
April 30, 2010
AZ SB 1070 — the bill analysis
In the Arizona Legislature, the correct term is "fact sheet." It's the equivalent of a bill analysis in Texas. This is the fact sheet for the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.” ARIZONA STATE SENATE Forty-ninth Legislature, Second Regular Session FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1070 Purpose Requires officials
Politics & Policy
April 27, 2010
Can the Arizona immigration law affect the Texas governor’s race?
The Dallas Morning News is reporting that a march protesting Arizona’s immigration law is scheduled for Saturday. A crowd of 100,000 is expected. This is a long way from the 500,000 who protested a crackdown on immigration in 2006. Nevertheless, the rising passion over the issue poses problems
Politics & Policy
April 25, 2010
Target practice
Remember that comment Perry made a week or so ago, when Obama talked about adding jobs at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida but remained mum about the Johnson Space Center in Houston? Perry said that Obama had “put a target on Texas’s back.” One hardly expects Obama to love
True Crime
March 31, 2010
The Lost Girls
Every year thousands of women are smuggled into the United States and forced to work as prostitutes. Many of them end up in Houston, in massage parlors and spas. Most of them will have a hard time ever getting out.
Politics & Policy
August 31, 2009
The End of the Affair
Everyone was shocked when San Angelo’s hugely popular mayor suddenly left town with his gay lover. Everyone, that is, except the citizens of San Angelo.
True Crime
March 31, 2008
The Night in Question
Thirty years later, we still don’t know who murdered Border Patrol agent Jose Gamez. Or maybe we do.
Antonya Nelson
March 1, 2008
The Easier Life
My Mexican housekeeper’s son had the troubles of many American teens. If only I could have helped him more.
The Culture
January 1, 2007
Giant chickens in South Texas?
Immigration then and now.
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2006
My Life As an Illegal
You’ve heard enough from the politicians and the activists, the demagogues and the bleeding hearts. Here’s my story. I only wish I could put my name on it. By Immigrant X
True Crime
April 1, 2002
The Traitor Next Door
His name was Wadih el-Hage. He had an American wife and American kids, a home in Arlington, a job at a tire store in Fort Worth, and a secret past that led straight to Osama bin Laden.
Politics & Policy
April 1, 2001
The Battle for the Border
In Maverick County illegal immigrants are crossing in record numbers, creating a war zone. Mexicans have been shot and killed, houses robbed, cattle stolen. Some ranchers are fleeing. But others, like Dob Cunningham, have decided to stay and fight.
Sports
April 1, 1998
The Contender
He may soon compete for the super featherweight championship of the world, but for now Austin boxer Jesus Chavez is in the fight of his life—with federal immigration officials.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1995
Hype or Hero?
He’s won the support o Mexican Americans in El Paso; now he wants to win a seat in Congress. Is Silvestre Reyes’ attack on illegal immigration heroism or hype?
News & Politics
May 1, 1990
The Way Out
A modest Catholic boys’ school in El Paso could teach public schools a lesson or two about how to provide a solid education on a limited budget and send 98 percent of their students off to college.
Border & Immigration
May 31, 1984
Give Me a Job
In my village in Oaxaca I had heard about those who made it big in El Norte, and I wanted to become one of them. But I didn’t know how hard life in Houston would be without papers, money, or a job.
Border & Immigration
May 1, 1984
Take Me Across the River
The writer had no papers, but he wanted to get from Mexico to Houston. His best chance was to put his passage into the hands of a coyote, for a fat fee.
Border & Immigration
July 1, 1982
Immigrants
From all over the world, people are coming to Houston to find a better life. For a few of them—immigrants from Poland, Nigeria, and El Salvador—this is what it’s like.
Border & Immigration
March 1, 1980
An American Family
Pedro Martínez, with only his Mexican heritage, a determination to work hard, and a desire for a better life, brought his family across the Rio Grande to find a home in a new land.
Being Texan
October 1, 1979
A Delicate Balance
Who turned off the melting pot? Vietnamese and Texans fight on the coast.
Border & Immigration
September 1, 1979
The Promised Land
Work is tarring rooftops in the scorching Texas heat, home is a falling-down shanty visited by rats and roaches, supper is boiled potatoes and tortillas. It's the good life for two illegal Mexican immigrants trying to make it in America.
Being Texan
July 1, 1978
Brave New Vacancies
Give us your tired and freezing Yankees, your studious Arabs, your ambitious young hustlers just blown into town, and we will rent them one bedroom and a bath for $215.
Border & Immigration
May 31, 1976
The Newest Americans
Pity the poor Vietnamese: so far from home, so close to Beaumont.
Border & Immigration
August 31, 1975
Wetback
What makes them swim the Rio Grande?