Public News Service

The Texas Diversity Council works with various groups to foster environments where people from marginalized groups feel seen and heard. (Ana Baraulia/Adobe Stock)

Texas Diversity Council remains steadfast in face of adversity

Since 2004, April has been designated "Celebrate Diversity Month," a time to recognize, understand and honor the differences between people. One …

As of Oct. 2023, the average teacher salary was $68,000 a year, which is 8% less than the average for U.S. workers overall. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

University of Texas El Paso targets teacher shortage

It's estimated that nearly half of all schools in the country don't have enough teachers. To help change that, the University of Texas in El Paso …

Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows Texas to begin enforcing Senate Bill 4, calling the decision a

Texas’ SB 4 in limbo again after late-night court decision

Story has been updated to reflect late-night 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision.(8:01 a.m. MST, Mar. 20, 2024) The U.S. Supreme Court handed …

Texas's effort to opt out of the federal immigration system and create its own rules has been blocked by a federal judge. (MaxSafaniuk/Adobe Stock)

Texas' battle over right to arrest suspected illegal immigrants will continue

A law aimed at immigrants crossing the border in Texas will not take effect tomorrow, after a federal judge halted enforcement until a court battle …

The U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that immigration laws can only be enforced by the federal government. (diy13/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuits mount over Texas' plan to jail illegal immigrants

Texas is the epicenter of the U.S. immigration debate, and now faces a lawsuit over plans to jail those whose enter the state illegally. The U.S…

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott believes new laws and the continuation of Operation Lone Star are necessary to

Civil rights groups call Texas' proposed laws, razor wire dehumanizing

A set of border security bills under consideration by Texas lawmakers will cause harm to migrants, residents, and state law, according to a state …

El gobernador de Texas, Greg Abbott, cree que las nuevas leyes y la continuaci�n de la Operaci�n Lone Star son necesarias para

Grupos de defensa consideran que las leyes propuestas en TX y el alambre de púas son inhumanas

Un conjunto de proyectos de ley de seguridad fronteriza que están siendo considerados por los legisladores de Texas causará daño a los …

President Joe Biden does not believe the U.S.-Mexican border wall built by his predecessor was effective, but cited a 2019 congressional appropriation of funds as the reason for new border wall in the Rio Grande Valley. (AerialStockFootage/Adobe Stock)

South Texas opponents of new border wall promise resistance

Opponents of previous efforts to build a border wall in South Texas are reeling from the Biden administration's announcement last week to resume…

En 2001, Texas se convirti� en el primer estado en permitir que los estudiantes indocumentados calificaran para la matr�cula estatal, pero la pol�tica ha cambiado la actitud del estado hacia los migrantes y los inmigrantes. (DanielErnst/AdobeStock)

Defensores de los inmigrantes dicen que la política restringe las donaciones

Las organizaciones que ayudan a los inmigrantes a encontrar una comunidad, lograr la autosuficiencia económica y convertirse en residentes …

In 2001, Texas became the first state to allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition, but politics have shifted the state's attitude toward migrants and immigrants. (DanielErnst/AdobeStock)

TX Advocates for Immigrant Rights Say Politics Exhausts Needed Donations

Organizations that help immigrants find a community, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and become legal residents or citizens say anti-immigrant …

To stop the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, the public health order known as Title 42 was used nearly 3 million times to swiftly expel migrants at U.S. land borders. (AjdinKamber/AdobeStock)

Proposed Border Policing Unit Gains Traction in Texas

Legislation to create a "Border Protection Unit" is headed to the Texas Senate, while the governor said more needs to be done to secure the U.S.-…

Para ayudarlos a mantenerse en la escuela, los estudiantes de colegios comunitarios de Texas dicen que la informaci�n sobre el registro, orientaci�n y pago deber�a ser m�s f�cil de entender, seg�n un estudio de CCCSE en la Universidad de Texas en Austin. (Myriams-Fotos/Pixabay)

Informe: Estudiantes universitarios "en cuerda la floja" hacia un título

Un nuevo informe muestra que los colegios comunitarios deben ser más persistentes si quieren mantener a los estudiantes matriculados. El Center …

A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Texas voters say the border, at 38%, ranks first as the most urgent issue facing Texas, followed by abortion and inflation. (Wikilmages/Pixabay)

Border Issues Reign for Texas Voters, Immigration Advocates

A Texas human-rights advocacy and immigration-reform group opened two new community centers this week to help residents better understand their freedo…

A shortage of good jobs makes the ladder to a middle-class lifestyle a steep climb for Latino workers, according to a study by the Center for American Progress. (GerdAltmann/Pixabay)

Economic Success Ladder a Harder Climb for U.S. Latinos

Hispanic and Latino workers have high employment rates in the U.S. but continue to experience a shortage of jobs paying enough to lift them into the …

El Consorcio de Instituciones al Servicio de Hispano en Texas, que incluye la Universidad de Texas Rio Grande Valley, creci� de 43 en 2005 a 100 en 2021. (utsystem.edu)

Éxito en educación superior para Instituciones al Servicio de Hispanos

La sociedad se beneficia cuando los colegios y universidades inscriben y gradúan a estudiantes tradicionalmente desatendidos, pero algunas …

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey shows many Latinos with mixed immigration status remain skeptical about giving personal information to health authorities offering COVID-19 vaccinations. (Diocese of Pennsylvania)<br />

Lagging in Vaccinations, TX Latinos Offered COVID Shots at Church

Promoting the theme "unity in community," the Hispanic Access Foundation has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to bring …

The Census Bureau is reporting both population undercounts and overcounts, were likely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters and decisions by the Trump administration that disrupted normal counting efforts. (GerdAltmann/Pixabay)

TX One of Six States that Undercounted Population in 2020 Census

A new report found Texas likely undercounted the number of people who actually live in the state when gathering information for the 2020 census…

Owned by Fort Bliss, Castner Range has significant ancient rock imagery, cultural deposits and historic military sites. (flickr.com/https://bit.ly/3ie8TEL)

Groups Advocate for Historic Latino Monuments in Texas

Every 30 seconds in the U.S. a Latino citizen turns 18, and it is Latino Advocacy Week, the second annual initiative where community leaders champion …

In Texas, 16% of residents say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe financial suffering. (islandworks/Pixabay)

TX Survey: Hispanics Suffer Greatest Financial Hardship from COVID-19

Half of Texas residents say COVID-19 has caused them financial hardship, and Hispanic families faced the most severe consequences, according to a new …

The Muslim community in Austin will participate in the Sept. 11

TX Muslims Engage Community With Vaccines, Hot Food to Mark 9/11

AUSTIN, Texas -- Tomorrow marks 20 years since the fateful events of 9/11, with followers of Islam reflecting on progress in the treatment of …

The U.S. Justice Department says Texas is attempting to unlawfully create its own

Texas Order Restricting Migrant Travel Returns to Court

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso will be the site of a court hearing tomorrow over Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's order barring transportation of migrants…

Los estadounidenses que no cumplan con la fecha l�mite de inscripci�n hasta el 15 de agosto para obtener cobertura de salud a trav�s de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio deber�n esperar hasta el 1 de noviembre para tener otra oportunidad de presentar la solicitud. (aarp.org)

Se acerca la fecha límite para inscripción especial de seguros médicos de ACA

AUSTIN, Texas -- Queda una semana antes de que se cierre la oportunidad para que los texanos aprovechen un período de inscripción especial …

Inmigrantes altamente calificados, formados fuera de los Estados Unidos, son "Cerebros Desperdiciados"

HOUSTON -- Más de uno de cada cinco inmigrantes con educación universitaria en los Estados Unidos, o el equivalente a dos millones de …

Vice President Kamala Harris addresses immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso today, one week ahead of a promised visit by former President Donald Trump. (famouspeople.wiki)

VP Harris Visits El Paso Today in First U.S.-Mexico Border Trip

EL PASO, Texas -- Vice President Kamala Harris visits the southern border for the first time today as the Biden administration aims to stem the flow …

In recent months, record numbers of teenagers and children traveling without their parents and in need of shelter have arrived at the U.S. border with Mexico. (U.S. Border Patrol via Twitter)

Opponents of U.S. Immigration Policies March in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas - A group that opposes U.S. immigration policies and holding children at military bases is protesting today by walking to Fort Bliss …

Seven Texas counties - Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Hidalgo, Bexar, Travis and El Paso - were among the top 20 counties in the nation with the highest number of uninsured children, according to a report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Semevent/Pixabay)

Numbers Soar for Texas Kids Without Health Insurance

AUSTIN, Texas -- Advocates for children are calling on Texas lawmakers to take action in the next legislative session, after a new report shows the …

Latinos are among the youngest racial or ethnic group in the country, with a median age of 30, according to the Pew Research Center. (unidosus.org)

Mobilization Effort in Texas Encourages Young Latinos to Vote

AUSTIN, Texas -- A Texas group cultivating Latino voters under age 35 has ramped up its grassroots efforts to get them registered and out to vote in …

Blacks and Hispanics in Texas, at a higher percentage than Whites, say the state government should address economic and living conditions as public health priorities. (gabrielberophs/Pixabay)

Survey: Black, Hispanic Texans Cite Outliers to Quality Health

HOUSTON - To stay healthy, we're told to regularly see a doctor, but a new survey in Texas shows Blacks and Hispanics more than Whites believe …

Texas, the second-largest state in the U.S., had a 64% response rate for the 2010 Census, but is stuck at 58% for the 2020 Census. (lorimalhiot/Pixabay)

Census Undercount Puts Billions of Dollars at Stake for Texas

AUSTIN, Texas -- Geographically, Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S, and that makes it difficult and critical to reach everyone in …

A 1% undercount of the population from the 2020 census could translate to a loss of $300 million in federal funding for Texas. (texascounts.org)

On the Virtual Road in Texas to Promote the 2020 Census

AUSTIN, Texas -- From the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle to the Rio Grande, Texas census organizers are hosting a virtual road trip this week to …

According to the Pew Research Center, Texas was second only to California in the number of refugees resettled in the U.S. Since 2002, 88,300 refugees have resettled in the Lone Star State. (Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston)

Critics Cry Foul After TX Governor Rejects New Refugees

HOUSTON -- Advocates for people seeking refuge in the U.S. are challenging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to reject new refugees. The move would …

Children with health insurance are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school and attend college, and earn higher wages as adults. (CDC)

Texas Has Highest Rate of Uninsured Kids in Nation

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas has the highest rate and number of children without health care insurance in the nation, according to a new report from …

At least 1,396 people have gone on hunger strike in 18 U.S. detention centers since May 2015, according to the group Freedom for Immigrants. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Wikimedia Commons)

Asylum Seekers' Hunger Strike Reaches 60th Day

EL PASO, Texas – Today marks Day 60 of a hunger strike by three political refugees from India, detained for more than a year in an El Paso …

The Department of Homeland Security says a

TX Volunteers Frustrated as Migrants are Trapped in Mexico

EL PASO, Texas – Volunteers who have been helping desperate migrants arriving in El Paso say they're frustrated to see those people now being …

Use of programs including Medicaid, SNAP and Section 8 public housing will factor into the determination by immigration officials of who gets a green card. (Pixabay)

Texas Kids' Health Care, Nutrition Threatened by Public-Charge Policy

BELLAIRE, Texas – This week the Trump administration finalized a new rule that could deny green cards to immigrants if they access public …

Longtime observers of the border say the current migration crisis has been artificially manipulated by starving the migrant processing system of the resources it needs. (Adobe Stock)

Observers: Trump Created Migration “Crisis,” Stoking Racial Conflict

EL PASO, Texas — Close observers of the El Paso border accuse the Trump administration of manipulating migrant policy to create a crisis - with …

Maria Covernali took part in a huge survey of attitudes about the region in Juarez and El Paso. (Dan Heyman)

El Paso and Juarez: One City Interrupted By Tough Border

EL PASO, Texas – People in El Paso and Juarez often regard their communities as one big city. But recent research, as covered in the local …

One of the men on hunger strike gave this handwritten note to a visitor. (AVID)

Hunger Strikes Enter Third Week at El Paso ICE Detention

EL PASO, Texas – Some hunger strikers in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention around El Paso are now in their third week of …

A congressional investigation has found that nine migrant children younger than one year, and 18 younger than two years, have been forcibly separated from their families and held in detention. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Wikipedia)

Move to Treat Separation, Detention of Migrant Children as Child Abuse

EL PASO, Texas – Social workers and mental health professionals are trying to have the detention of migrant children away from their families …

A national campaign to ensure all Latino children are counted in the upcoming 2020 census includes providing teachers with curriculum across subject areas with information kids can bring back to their parents. (Pixabay)

Campaign Launched to Ensure Census Counts All Latino Children

AUSTIN, Texas – This week, the leading nonpartisan educational group advocating for Latino participation in politics launched a national …

President Donald Trump's proposed border wall along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border would pass through several wildlife conservation hotspots, including Texas' Big Bend and the Lower Rio Grande Valley on the Gulf Coast. (Yinan Chen/Wikimedia Commons)

Trump's Visit to Texas-Mexico Border Intensifies Wildlife Concerns

MCALLEN, Texas – As President Donald Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas to promote his proposed wall, wildlife conservationists are …

Biologists are concerned that a wall constructed along the U.S.-Mexico border could disrupt migration routes for wildlife, including bighorn sheep that populate Big Bend National Park. (National Park Service)

Biologists Warn of Border Wall's Ecological Impacts

EL PASO, Texas - As Congress pushes back a funding deadline to avoid a government shutdown, conservation groups are urging representatives to reject …

Environmental groups are concerned about the health of immigrant families being housed at detention centers on toxic-waste sites. (Louise Coghill/Flickr)

Groups say TX Military Detention Centers Riddled with Toxic Waste

AUSTIN, Texas – From the toxic stress of being separated from families, environmental and health advocates say they are now concerned about …

A coalition of businesses, including construction firms, recently submitted a brief to a federal court in Houston claiming that ending DACA could result in a loss of $6 billion to Texas' annual GDP. (Max Pixel)

Texas to Challenge DACA in Federal Court

HOUSTON – Texas "Dreamers," young people brought into the U.S. when they were small children, are bracing for the next legal hurdle facing the …

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported earlier this week that it has been unable to locate the parents of more than 70 children separated along the U.S.-Mexico border. (Pixabay)

Detention for Immigrant Children Swells to Billion-Dollar Industry

AUSTIN, Texas — The cost to taxpayers for detaining immigrant children has grown from $75 million a year in 2007 to almost $1 billion today…

The Texas Pediatric Society has characterized the practice of separating immigrant children from their parents as

Trump Signs Order to End Separations Condemned by Pediatricians

AUSTIN, Texas – Following widespread outrage over the forced separation of children from their parents arrested on suspicion of entering the …

64 percent of immigrants report significant financial losses as opposed to 39 percent of U.S.-born residents. (Platt/GettyImages)

Study: Immigrants Bear Brunt of Hurricane Harvey Hardships

HOUSTON — A new study finds that immigrants were almost twice as likely as non-immigrants to suffer unemployment and economic loss from Hurrican…

The ACLU of Texas wants details from some county sheriffs about their agreements to allow local deputies to act as federal immigration officers. (Kaybe70/GettyImages)

ACLU Texas Demands Info on County Agreements with ICE

HOUSTON – The American Civil Liberties Union is confronting a number of Texas counties that have entered into law-enforcement agreements with fe…

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TX: Immigration