Austin, TX

Texas House approves scaled-back bill to create new border patrol unit

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2023

Texas House approves scaled-back bill to create new border patrol unit

Texas House Democrats killed a bill May 9 that would have allowed civilians to patrol the Texas-Mexico border and detain migrants. Portions of the legislation, which was a priority of House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, were tacked onto another bill as amendments, but the most contentious items were left out.

House Bill 20, by Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would have created a new “Border Protection Unit,” giving Gov. Greg Abbott the sole authority to select its leader. The border force would have consisted of licensed law enforcement officers and civilians, who, after training, could arrest and detain migrants for illegally crossing the border. HB 20 also would have allowed prosecutors to charge both migrants and U.S. citizens with a third-degree felony for trespassing on private property while crossing into Texas “from any neighboring jurisdiction.”

Schaefer told Community Impact that allowing everyday Texans to join the border protection unit would ensure Texas has a “sustainable workforce” at the border. The Texas Department of Public Safety currently has the primary presence there, alongside members of the Texas National Guard. But Schaefer said law enforcement currently does not have the capacity to deal with high rates of immigration and also stop the flow of fentanyl, a deadly opioid, into Texas.

“We have a part-time workforce applied against a very full-time threat,” Schaefer said.

House Democrats and other immigration advocates said the bill would have emboldened “vigilantes” to go after migrants.

“This legislation is going to create a civilian police force with police powers, who will be able to travel through any of our counties or any of our cities, to set up checkpoints—to question us … without consequences and with immunity,” said Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, D-Dallas. “Imagine checkpoints outside of churches, outside of schools, outside of neighborhoods, whether it’s an Asian community in Houston; a Latino community in Dallas or the Valley.”

Neave Criado chairs the House’s Mexican American Legislative Caucus and led the charge to kill the bill. Throughout the day, Democrats stalled by prolonging discussion on other bills. When HB 20 reached the floor, they raised multiple points of order—a procedural tactic typically used to delay or kill legislation.

The third and final point of order, by Rep. Rafael Anchía, D-Dallas, argued that the bill contained multiple subjects, and the bill’s caption, which explains what the bill would do, did not give reasonable notice of the subjects.

Phelan accepted the point of order, sending the bill back to the House State Affairs Committee. The bill would have allowed Abbott to declare that “a state of invasion or imminent danger … exists,” which Phelan said is a declaration of war and must be included in the caption.

The decision was made after a 10 p.m. deadline for bills to be placed on a final House calendar. According to chamber rules, all House bills must receive initial passage by May 11 and each day’s calendar must be finalized 36 hours in advance.

After HB 20 was defeated, Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, revived portions of the bill by adding them to his own legislation, HB 7, as amendments.

The updated border bill

Major elements of Schaefer’s bill were not included in HB 7. The scaled-back proposal still creates a border protection unit, but only licensed peace officers would be able to join. People who have been convicted of a violent offense or dishonorably discharged from the military would not be eligible to join the unit.

Additionally, the unit’s operations would be limited to counties along the border. Commissioners courts in those counties also must provide written consent in order for the border force to set up shop.

Under the bill, members of the border protection unit would not be allowed to detain migrants under 10 years old for border-related crimes.

Abbott would still have full control of the hiring and firing of the new border protection chief.

HB 7 passed with an 88-56 vote May 10. It now heads to the Senate.

The House debate on border bills came days before the end of Title 42, a pandemic-era policy used to expel migrants seeking asylum. Title 42 expires at 11 p.m. May 11.

During a May 8 news conference, Abbott announced that specially trained Texas National Guard members were being deployed to “hotspots” along the border as part of a new Texas Tactical Border Force. Abbott said the Biden administration expects approximately 13,000 people will illegally cross the border after Title 42 expires.

“President Biden is laying down a welcome mat to people all across the world, saying the U.S. border is wide open,” Abbott said.

HB 20 is the second bill House Democrats have forced back to committee. On May 2 and 5, Rep. Mary González, D-Clint, raised successful points of order on Senate Bill 14, which would ban transition-related treatments for Texas youth. SB 14 is up for discussion in the House on May 12.

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Austin, TX

Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr. Named Semifinalist for Major Award

Published

6 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr. Named Semifinalist for Major Award

AUSTIN — Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is officially being recognized as one of the best at his position in college football.

Hill Jr. was announced as a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award Monday, joining a group of 14 other players. The Butkus Award is given annually to the best linebacker in college football.

Former Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford was also a semifinalist for the award last season.

Here’s the full list of semifinalists:

Jihaab Campbell, Alabama

Deontae Lawson, Alabama

Shaun Dolac, Buffalo

Barrett Carter, Clemson

Jalon Walker, Georgia

Aiden Fisher, Indiana

Jay Higgins, Iowa

Chandler Martin, Memphis

Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss

Sean Brown, N.C. State

Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Shae Suiaunoa, Wyoming

This season, Hill Jr. has posted 28 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and one interception.

He was recently added to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the best defensive player in college football.

After the loss to Georgia, Hill Jr. said that the Longhorns are staying confident. They bounced back with a win over Vanderbilt before heading into the bye week.

“Nobody wants to lose but we’re gonna look at the film, we’re gonna get better,” Hill Jr. “Our heads are up. We’re not gonna just be sad and look all disappointed. We’re happy and we’re gonna get better and look at the film. We needed this, I feel like we need some adversity and it’s gonna be good to see how we bounce back next week.”

No. 5 Texas and Florida will kick off from Austin on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.

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Other Texas Longhorns News:

MORE: SEC Rooting Guide For Texas Longhorns During Bye Week

MORE: Carolina Panthers Debut Could Be on Horizon For Texas Ex Jonathon Brooks

MORE: Steve Sarkisian ‘Really Proud’ of Texas Longhorns TE Gunnar Helm

MORE: ‘Very Mature:’ Texas WR DeAndre Moore Jr. Continues to Fill Jordan Whittington Role

MORE: Texas Longhorns Rise in AP Top 25 Poll

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Austin, TX

Vote and vibe: Where to toast (or mope) at 2024 election night watch parties in Austin

Published

14 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Vote and vibe: Where to toast (or mope) at 2024 election night watch parties in Austin

Whether you’re ready for a celebration, dreading the results or eager for the election cycle to be over, it’s best not to spend election night 2024 alone. Several Austin venues will host watch parties with food, friends and foes as you get ready for the results Tuesday.

Hold hands and cross fingers at Hotel Vegas and Volstead’s watch party

Need a strong pregame for the results? The adjacent East Austin bars are teaming up to host a joint watch party with themed cocktails served all night.

Guests can watch the results roll in on big screens on the patio. There will also be televised analysis inside Volstead Lounge. Enjoy live DJs, election night games and tacos from El Borracho Tacos starting at 5 p.m.

The party is free to attend. Guests can RSVP on Facebook.

Down some patriotic shots at Star Bar’s Texas-style watch party

The West Austin bar will host a free election night watch party, Texas-style. Customers can catch election updates from open to close and snag limited-edition Quinn-Arch buttons ($3) and hats ($20) touting University of Texas quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Election results will be shown on TVs across the bar.

Enjoy some blue and red jello shots as well as pizza from VIA 313.

The party will start at 4 p.m. and run until close at 2 a.m. No ticket or RSVP is needed for the event. More information is at starbartexas.com.

Ride the emotional roller coaster at Cheer Up Charlie’s election night carnival

Cheer Up’s is bringing the Election Day feel to the Red River Cultural District. The election night extravaganza will include drag and stand-up comedy shows, tarot and astrology readings, and a petting zoo for voters needing some animal comfort.

Want to dance it out? There will be live DJs. Voters can also eat their feelings. A bake sale will be happening, alongside a sock and blanket drive for the unhoused.

The party will run from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets start at $19 and can be purchased online.

Watch the results at Travis County Republicans’ election night party

Voters are invited to swing by and catch the election results with fellow Republicans in Travis County. National news as well as the county clerk’s website will be monitored for key races. Candidates and local leaders are also expected to deliver remarks. There will also be surprise guests throughout the evening.

The event will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Guests must register online to get the address for the event. Security officers will check photo IDs for entrance.

Join the Travis County Democratic Party at the Driskill

Democrats from across the county will watch the election results unfold at the historic Driskill hotel. Attendees will get a chance to rub elbows with some elected officials and candidates. Who better to share the suspense with than the folks on the ballot?

The watch party will happen from 7 to 11 p.m.

Interested in attending? You can register for the event online.

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Austin, TX

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas week 10 rankings

Published

22 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas week 10 rankings

AUSTIN, Texas – The tenth week of the 2024 Texas high school football season is in the books.

Check out our rankings for the tenth week of the season, which featured matchups like Bowie vs Austin High, Taylor vs LBJ, Cedar Park vs Leander, Lake Belton vs Georgetown , and the FOX 7 Game of the Week, Bastrop vs Pflugerville .

View the highlights and scores for Week 10 here.