Connect with us

Texas

5 things to know about Texas border policy

Published

on

5 things to know about Texas border policy


Texas has the longest border with Mexico of any U.S. state, sharing 1,254 miles with its southern neighbor – making it ground zero in the international fight over undocumented immigration.

New Texas border strategy expected from Gov. Abbott in Eagle Pass on Thursday

The numbers of immigrants crossing the border that stretches from Brownsville to El Paso has dipped in recent months but broke records in 2023. The Republican-dominated state waged its own war — overseen by Gov. Greg Abbott — on illegal immigration and in opposition to the Democrat-backed policies of President Joe Biden.

Now, Abbott will announce a new border strategy at an event in Eagle Pass on Thursday.

Breaking News

Advertisement

Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.

Here are five key things to know about immigration in the state:

Texas spends billions on border security

Texas has funneled dollars into its own border security initiatives for nearly 20 years, starting with Operation Linebacker in 2005, Operation Rio Grande in 2006, and Operation Wrangler in 2007 – all funded with tens of millions in federal grants awarded through then-Gov. Rick Perry’s office.

In 2007, lawmakers allocated $110 million in state tax dollars to create Operation Border Star, which uses information sharing between federal, state and local law enforcement to bolster efforts along the border. By 2013, Texas had spent nearly half a billion in taxpayer money to supplement federal border programs.

Over the next decade, as Republicans tightened their grip on state leadership and undocumented immigration launched into the political spotlight, funding for border projects soared.

Advertisement

State lawmakers in 2023 allocated $4.6 billion for border security programs in local communities and across Texas.

Operation Lone Star has cost taxpayers $11 billion

Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021, deploying National Guard soldiers and state troopers to the border with Mexico to deter undocumented immigration.

The initiative included erecting barriers, stationing law enforcement along the border, busing migrants to other states and creating migrant-processing centers.

Operation Lone Star encompasses many of the aspects of its early predecessors and now serves as an umbrella strategy for efforts across several state agencies. Abbott now wants $2.9 billion to keep the program going through at least 2027.

Texas wants its money back from the feds

A proposal filed earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Willow Park, would require the federal government to reimburse the state for its losses and expenses incurred during any border operations since 2020.

Advertisement

The federal government bears the responsibility of enforcing its international borders, mainly through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. constitution authorizes the government to require citizenship to participate in its systems of democracy, which makes the feds the primary stewards of immigration into the country.

Williams and other state leaders argue, then, that the federal government owes Texas because it has failed to secure the Texas-Mexico border and cost state taxpayers money. Reimbursement should include expenses incurred by Operation Lone Star as well as potentially billions allocated to agencies such as the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard, according to the congressman’s proposal.

Texas is buying border land, bracing for proposed mass deportations

In November, officials unveiled a ranch in Rio Grande City that the state purchased on the Texas-Mexico border.

Texas officials offered it as a site for detention facilities to help the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump with proposed mass deportations. Portions of a border wall have already been built at the site.

Meanwhile, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has said the state is searching for additional land to aid the federal effort.

Advertisement

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden Administration over immigration

Paxton has gone to court to protect Abbott’s efforts to build a border wall and install buoys and razor wire in the Rio Grande River.

He challenged policies that conservatives say contribute to illegal immigration. He has successfully used the courts to halt immigration policies that included the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which allowed some undocumented immigrants who got to the U.S. while younger than 16 to work in the country, delaying deportation.



Source link

Texas

No. 23 Texas A&M Drops Home SEC Opener To No. 7 Georgia

Published

on

No. 23 Texas A&M Drops Home SEC Opener To No. 7 Georgia


The No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies baseball team saw another game of struggles to start an SEC conference matchup Friday night in College Station, except this one wasn’t as close as the games last week in Norman, dropping Game 1 of their series against the Georgia Bulldogs, 9-4.

The Aggies posted a seven-run inning earlier in the week against the Texas State Bobcats, but were unfortunately unable to produce that same firepower with their bats three days later.

With the loss, the Aggies drop to 17-4 on the year, and 1-3 against SEC opponents.

Advertisement

Texas A&M Bats Struggle in Loss to No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs

Texas A&M Aggies first baseman Gavin Grahovac (9) slides into second base | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Advertisement

Shane Sdao took the loss for the Aggies despite striking out 11 batters in 5.2 innings pitched while also allowing nine hits and five earned runs on 112 pitches.

Advertisement

With the Aggies against their second top 10-ranked SEC team in a row, the Bulldogs wasted no time making their presence felt in College Station as Henry Allen blasted a three-run home run off of Sdao in the top of the first inning.

Georgia second baseman Tre Phelps would follow up in the second inning with an RBI single to give the visiting team a 4-0 lead after two innings.

The Aggies would find a spark in the bottom half of that same inning, with first baseman Gavin Grahovac smashing a single into center to give A&M their first hit and first two runs of the contest, scoring Jake Duer and Terrence Kiel II, cutting Georgia’s lead in half.

Unfortunately, that’s really where the good times stopped for Texas A&M.

Advertisement

Bulldogs third baseman Michael O’Shaughnessy rocketed a solo home run in the top half of the third, left fielder Cole Johnson would rope a two-RBI single into the outfield in the eighth inning, and designated hitter Jordy Oriach came on to pinch hit in the ninth and smacked a towering two-run homer over the wall in right center.

Advertisement

Aside from RBI singles by Grahovac and Chris Hacopian in the bottom half of the frame, the Aggies were unable to duplicate their stellar offense from Tuesday in the ninth inning, and they took their second straight conference loss on the year.

Both Boston Kellner and Terrence Kiel II were able to draw walks in the contest, allowing them to extend their streak as the only two Aggies to get on base in all 21 games this year.

Game 2 between the two SEC schools is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on FacebookX and Instagram for the latest news.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Texas

Box of parrots seized from SUV crossing Texas border

Published

on

Box of parrots seized from SUV crossing Texas border


U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Brownsville Port of Entry recently intercepted three live parrots hidden within a vehicle during an alleged wildlife smuggling attempt. (CBP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a box of live parrots apparently being smuggled across the border from Mexico into Texas.

CBP seizes live parrots

Advertisement

The parrots were found in an SUV crossing at the Brownsville Port of Entry on March 13, the CBP said in a Friday release. 

The 2007 GMC Yukon was flagged for a secondary inspection, at which point a box with three live parrots was discovered. 

Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation into the seizure. CBP says they worked with partner agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to safeguard the birds at a local zoo.

Advertisement

Parrots are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulated by FWS. 

What they’re saying:

Advertisement

“Parrots are protected species and our frontline officers work diligently to prevent suspected attempts to smuggle them as part of the illegal animal trade,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “Exotic birds may carry various diseases not known to exist in the U.S. that could endanger native wildlife and U.S. agriculture, resulting in potential economic harm as well.”

The Source: Information in this article comes from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

U.S. Border SecurityTexas
Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Texas

How to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets

Published

on

How to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets


The Houston Cougars reminded the college basketball world they are a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

No. 2 Houston dispatched No. 15 Idaho 78-47 and is heading to the Round of 32 on Saturday.

Led by freshman guard Kingston Flemings, the Cougars routed the Vandals and secured an intra-state matchup in the second round of March Madness.

SHOP: Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness tickets

Advertisement

Now, Houston will take on No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday, March 21. The Aggies pulled off the minor upset beating St. Mary’s earlier on Thursday evening.

Here is everything you need to know in order to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness basketball second round tickets.

Shop Houston vs. Texas A&M tickets

Shop Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness tickets

When is March Madness 2026?

The First Four tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Tuesday, March 17. The two rounds run between Thursday, March 19 and Sunday, March 22. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.

Houston March Madness next opponent

Houston earned a No. 2 seed in the South regional. They team defeated Idaho in the its opening game and have advanced to the Round of 32, where they will play the No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday. Tickets to Houston’s Round of 32 game start at $192 and includes entry to see No. 4 Nebraska take on No. 5 Vanderbilt as well.

Advertisement

Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in Oklahoma City. are still available. Get your Houston vs. Texas A&M NCAA Tournament tickets now.

Shop Illinois basketball tickets

Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness schedule, game time

After defeating Idaho on Thursday, Houston will compete against the Aggies of Texas A&M on Saturday, March 21. Tip off is set for 6:10 p.m ET. Shop Houston Round of 32 tickets now.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Advertisement

Shop Houston basketball tickets

Houston March Madness basketball tickets

Limited Houston NCAA Tournament tickets are still available for the Round of 32. Get your Houston March Madness tickets now.

Illinois March Madness game locations

Illinois will play its Round 32 game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 21. Tip off is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET

Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in Oklahoma City. are available. Shop your Houston NCAA Tournament tickets now.

Shop ALL Houston basketball tickets

Advertisement

Houston Sweet 16 tickets

If the Cougars were to advance to the Sweet 16, they’d travel back home to Houston. Sweet 16 tickets in Houston are already available starting at $207.

Shop Houston Sweet 16 tickets

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

  • April 6: National Championship
  • March 19-20: First round
  • March 21-22: Second round
  • March 26-27: Sweet 16
  • March 28-29: Elite 8
  • April 4-5: Final Four

Shop ALL March Madness tickets



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending