Human rights advocates are pleading with the Biden administration to take legal action to block new Texas laws designed to counter illegal border crossings and to give state law enforcement officers the right to arrest undocumented immigrants. Gov. Greg Abbott…
Once again, faith and humanitarian groups decry Texas’ latest approach to ‘border security’
An array of faith and humanitarian groups is imploring the Biden administration to challenge current and pending Texas immigration measures targeting vulnerable migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The organizations seek federal intervention before Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law…
Texas governor mounts full-court press for school vouchers, co-opts pastors as advocates from pulpit
Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate Oct. 9 would create a school voucher program that includes $8,000 a year to families who want a private education for their children. Senate Bill 1, which is being considered in an ongoing special…
The church already is in trouble, and we don’t need school vouchers to make things worse
I am opposed to spending public money on private schools for many reasons. I am in agreement with many who are stating their opposition to vouchers, as currently under consideration in a special session of the Texas Legislature called by Gov. Greg…
What Ron DeSantis and the TheoBros share in common
The headline in The Atlantic declared: “The Cost of Ron DeSantis’ Ideological Purity.” That got my attention, because “ideological purity” is big theme among religious conservatives these days — especially among that group we sometimes call the TheoBros. Those are…
Allies of Greg Abbott appeal to Genesis to defend governor’s buoy border wall
Twenty-two Republican members of Congress have turned to the book of Genesis for justification on why the State of Texas and not the federal government should have control of the Rio Grande River that serves as a border between the…
Texas officials once again separating migrant families
Texas officials have revived a highly criticized anti-immigrant practice of the Trump administration while claiming their approach is more humane. The Houston Chronicle reports that in recent weeks, Texas Department of Public Safety officers have broken up at least two…
Virginia governor chided for saying immigrants bring drugs to his state
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s claim that deploying National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border helps protect the nation from criminals and illegal drugs is a ploy to villainize immigrants, rights advocates said during a recent livestreamed press conference. “It is…
I was thirsty and you made me work in the heat without water
This morning, I took my dogs for a walk because it was the coolest time of the day when their paws wouldn’t be scorched on pavement in our multiple days of temperatures that feel like it’s 100+ degrees. Living in…
Supreme Court sides with White House and against Greg Abbott on immigration
A June 23 Supreme Court ruling affirmed the Biden administration’s prerogative to implement immigration rules limiting deportation actions to immigrants deemed national security or significant criminal threats. The court’s 8-1 ruling in United States v. Texas found states do not…
The good news and bad news of our latest mass murder
The good news is, it’s still against the law in Texas to kill an entire family in cold blood. The bad news is, it’s just fine in Texas for an unstable man to possess an AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle and…
How to show Greg Abbott and other Grinches the true spirit of Christmas
The governor of the state where I live proved himself to be a Grinch of the first order Christmas Eve — and apparently a coward too. Three busloads of migrants were delivered outside the door of Vice President Kamala Harris’…