Southwest
Over 40 lawmakers sign brief to support Texas in immigration fight with Biden administration
FIRST ON FOX: A group of over 40 lawmakers signed on to an Amicus brief supporting the state of Texas in its legal battle with the Biden administration after the Justice Department sued the state earlier this year over a law that would allow Texas police the ability to arrest illegal migrants.
“I am proud to lead 45 of my colleagues in an Amicus Brief supporting Texas’ Article 1 Section 10 to stop the chaos, secure the border, and protect Texans — not only is the Constitution on our side, but the American people are on our side as well,” Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, the leader of the effort, told Fox News Digital.
Arrington’s comments come as Texas will go to court to defend a state law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in December that allows Texas law enforcement officers the ability to arrest and charge illegal migrants, which the Justice Department argues falls under federal authority.
“The United States brings this action to preserve its exclusive authority under federal law to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens,” the lawsuit, which was filed in an Austin federal court, states. “Texas cannot run its own immigration system. “Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations.”
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES TEXAS OVER LAW TO LET POLICE ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Left: President Biden. Right: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Connect)
But Arrington argues that the law is not only constitutional, but was made necessary by the Biden administration’s lack of ability to contain the crisis plaguing the U.S. border with Mexico.
“It is clear to any honest and objective person living in this country that President Biden has willfully disregarded the laws of the land, abdicated his constitutional duty to provide for a common defense, and unilaterally surrendered control of our border to terrorist drug cartels,” Arrington said. “Not only has President Biden failed to enforce our laws and secure our border – he has aggressively obstructed Texas’ efforts to do the job of the federal government, including the DOJ lawsuit over SB4.”
The brief, which was filed in the U.S. district court for the western district of Texas—Austin Division Tuesday evening and reviewed by Fox News Digital, accused the federal government of an “abdication of its duty to protect States from invasion and to take care that the nation’s immigration laws are faithfully executed.”
The brief also accuses the Biden administration of “purposefully” facilitating the “mass illegal entries” of migrants into the U.S., making it necessary for Texas to “secure its borders and repel the invasion of criminal drug cartels and the flood of illegal aliens from around the world.”
Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas., one of the lawmakers to sign on to the brief, told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration “has proven that they are unwilling to protect Texans from the life-and-death consequences of mass illegal migration.”
An inflatable barrier along the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass to deter illegal immigrants from crossing into the U.S. (Texas DPS)
JOHNSON CALLS MIGRANT CRISIS ‘TRULY UNCONSCIONABLE’ DURING VISIT TO BESIEGED SOUTHERN BORDER
“Instead of suing the State of Texas for doing the federal government’s job, the President should be focused on protecting the safety of American citizens,” Pfluger said.
The Texas law gives migrants who have been arrested the opportunity to follow a judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be charged with a misdemeanor for illegal entry. Migrants who choose not to leave can face felony charges if arrested again.
The law can be enforced anywhere in the state of Texas, though some places such as schools and churches are off-limits.
The legal battle comes at the same time Texas is involved in another legal battle over the installation of razor wire near the border, a barrier that also angered Mexican officials.
But those measures are part of the state’s right to “defend itself,” Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital.
HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE SETS FIRST MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT HEARING
“Texas has the constitutional right to defend itself. There is an outright invasion going on at our southern border and Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden Administration refuse to act,” Burgess said. “I will continue to support Texas’ actions of self-defense which are necessary only because of the Biden Administration’s gross negligence. I am thankful to Rep. Arrington for leading this much needed amicus brief in support of our state.”
Texas Army National Guard members walks by the border. (Texas Military Department )
Arrington, Pfluger, and Burgess were joined by several Republican colleagues in supporting the brief, including Reps. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., Mike Collins, R-Ga., Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Keith Self, R-Texas, Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Carol Miller, R-WVa., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., Troy Nehls, R-Texas., Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., Clay Higgins, R-La., Ronny Jackson, R- Texas, Brian Babin, R-Texas, Mary Miller, R-Ill., Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., Pete Sessions, R-Texas, Chip Roy, R-Texas, Michael Cloud, R-La., Judge Carter, R-Texas, Lance Gooden, R-Texas, Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Randy Weber, R-Texas, Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, Kat Cammack, R-Colo., Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, Jake Ellzey, R-Texas, Ralph Norma, R-S.C., Beth Van Duyne, R-N.Y., Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, David Rouzer, R-N.C., Pat Fallon, R-Mass., Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, Roger Williams, R-Texas, Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, Kay Granger, R-Texas, and Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.
According to Clyde, Texas law is an example of the state exercising its right to defend itself.
“Under President Biden’s open border policies, every state is a border state. Yet under the Constitution, every state has the power to fend off the Biden Administration’s intentional illegal invasion,” Clyde told Fox News Digital. “I’m proud to join Chairman Arrington’s critical amicus brief in support of Texas’ right to exercise its Article I, Section 10 authorities, and I applaud Governor Abbott for holding the line against President Biden’s self-inflicted border crisis.”
The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
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Southwest
Texas requires students learn about ‘perils of communism’ in sweeping new curriculum overhaul
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A rewrite of Texas’ social studies curriculum will require educators to teach students about the perils of communism, according to a recent report.
“The new framework, known as the ‘comprehensive’ model, introduces a novel chronological approach to history and signals that the process will result in drastically different new standards,” the Houston Chronicle reported.
Set to take effect in the fall of 2030, “the model, favored by conservatives on the board, boosts the proportion of Texas history, and removes standalone world cultures courses,” the piece said.
“Third grade will now begin with ‘birth of Western civilizations’ and eighth grade will become a Texas history-only capstone course.”
LET’S TEACH OUR KIDS WHY AMERICA IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
A rewrite of Texas’ social studies curriculum will require educators to teach students about the perils of communism, according to a recent report. (fstop123/iStock via Getty Images Plus)
The State Board of Education approved the Social Studies plan by a vote of 8-7 in September.
Under the revised standards, the curriculum will focus more on Texas history and U.S. history rather than world history and cultures.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Democrats on the board raised concerns about the changes.
“Democrats on the board say the new framework reduces representation, will be more difficult for teachers to explain and delays lessons about nonwhite people to later grades,” the piece said.
“Looking at this storytelling thing, when do people that look like me get to learn about themselves before the fifth grade?” Staci Childs, D-Houston, was quoted as saying in the article, speaking about herself and other Black or Hispanic members of the board.
The Houston Chronicle also reported, “The standards are also being revised to align with recently-passed state law that requires students to be taught about the perils of communism.”
FIVE HOPEFUL SIGNS COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE SEEKING TRUTH ONCE MORE
Under the revised standards, the curriculum will focus more on Texas history and U.S. history rather than world history and cultures. (Fox News/Paul Steinhauser)
In the revised framework, according to the report, “Students must learn about ‘atrocities attributable to communist regimes,’ including the Cambodian genocide, guerrilla movements in Latin America and the ‘oppression and suffering experienced by people living under communist regimes.’ The lessons must also touch on modern threats posed to the U.S. and its allies by communist regimes and ideologies.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Texas State Board of Education; Rep. Aaron Kinsey, R-Midland, chair of the Texas State Board of Education; and Childs for comment.
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State Democrats raised concerns about the new curriculum, with one state lawmaker saying it reduces representation of Black and Hispanic Texans. (Getty)
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Southwest
San Antonio teen who vanished Christmas Eve found dead by suicide in nearby field after days-long search
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Texas authorities confirmed on Thursday a missing San Antonio teen who vanished on Christmas Eve took her own life.
Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, was last seen alive at about 7 a.m. on Dec. 24, walking a few blocks from her home.
Olmos’ body was found Tuesday in a field just a few hundred yards from her home, next to a gun, according to a report from affiliate FOX 7 Austin.
Officials confirmed they found the body of Camila Mendoza Olmos, who went missing on Christmas Eve. (Help Find Camila Mendoza Olmos via Facebook)
BODY FOUND DURING SEARCH FOR MISSING TEXAS TEEN CAMILA MENDOZA OLMOS AS ANOTHER TEEN GIRL DISAPPEARS
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as Olmos on Wednesday, determining the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and ruling the manner of death a suicide, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office previously said Olmos had a history of suicidal ideation and depression, noting there were no signs of foul play.
Camila Olmos was reported missing on Christmas Eve morning. (Bexar County Sheriff)
MISSING CAMILA MENDOZA OLMOS: DASHCAM CAPTURES LAST SIGHTING OF TEXAS TEEN WHO VANISHED CHRISTMAS EVE
The body appeared to have been in the location where it was found for several days, according to authorities.
In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, family members thanked the community for their support.
“In the name of the Olmos family, we want to give a humble and heartfelt thank you to all the news reporters, churches, friends, families, and communities for your support and prayers,” Nancy Olmos wrote in the post. “Our beloved Camila Mendoza Olmos is now with the Good Lord.”
Camila Mendoza Olmos’ manner of death was ruled a suicide, according to officials. (Help Find Camila Mendoza Olmos via Facebook)
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“We kindly ask that you please respect our pain and, most importantly, keep my cousin Rosario—Camila’s mom—and my nephew Carlos—Camila’s brother—in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” she added. “Thank you, and God bless you all.”
Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
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Southwest
University of Oklahoma teaching assistant fired after flunking Christian student files appeal with school
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A University of Oklahoma graduate teaching assistant who was fired after flunking a Christian student who cited the Bible in an essay, causing a national uproar, is appealing the school’s decision.
Brittany Stewart, a self-employed and self-described civil rights lawyer, said she is representing William “Mel” Curth, who assessed student Samantha Fulnecky a zero out of 25 on an assignment about gender norms.
“Today, my client, Mel Curth, submitted her appeal of the University’s Institutional Equity Office finding that she engaged in arbitrary and capricious grading of a student’s assignment in violation of that student’s religious liberty,” Stewart said on Bluesky earlier this week.
OU student Samantha Fulnecky, with her Bible, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman/Imagn Images)
“Ms. Curth fully denies that she engaged in any discriminatory behavior,” the statement continues. “It is her position that the investigation was flawed, failed to consider all possible motives and issues, and that new evidence has come to light that undermines the investigation’s conclusion.”
CONSERVATIVE PROFESSOR SLAMS 0 GRADE FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENT’S BIBLICAL ESSAY AS PUNITIVE: ‘VERY INAPPROPRIATE’
Stewart did not specify what the new evidence is.
For the assignment, Curth, who uses she/they pronouns, asked students to read a short paper called, “Relations Among Gender Typicality, Peer Relations, and Mental Health During Early Adolescence,” which discusses results of a study about gender norms among middle schoolers and the social ramifications children may face if they don’t conform to gender norms.
The students were instructed to provide a “thoughtful discussion of some aspect of the article.”
Fulnecky, a junior at the school, responded by saying she thought gender norms should not be viewed as stereotypes. She cited Genesis, the first book of the Bible, in which God created men and women equally, but with separate purposes.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA REMOVES PROFESSOR FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION RELATED TO TA WHO GAVE CHRISTIAN STUDENT 0
Students walk on campus between classes at the University of Oklahoma on March 11, 2015, in Norman, Oklahoma. (Brett Deering/Getty Images)
“Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered ‘stereotypes,’” Fulnecky wrote in her essay. “Women naturally want to do womanly things because God created us with those womanly desires in our hearts. The same goes for men. God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty. He intentionally created women differently than men and we should live our lives with that in mind.”
She later described the normalization of non-binary gender as “demonic.”
Curth took exception to Fulnecky’s response.
“Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead I am deducting point [sic] for you posting a reaction paper that does not answer the questions for this assignment, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive,” Curth’s explanation for the grade said, later adding that the essay was “offensive” and claiming that science backs the idea that “gender is neither binary nor fixed.”
THIS WEEK IN CAMPUS RADICALS: CHRISTIAN STUDENT FLUNKED, JEWISH STUDENTS SHAKEN, CONSERVATIVE GROUPS BLOCKED
There were three grading criteria, according to Fulnecky, who said none of those criteria listed empirical evidence as a requirement.
“Does the paper show a clear tie-in to the assigned article?” was the first, worth up to 10 out of the assignment’s 25 total points.
“Does the paper present a thoughtful reaction or response to the article, rather than a summary?” was the second, also worth up to 10 points.
“Is the paper clearly written?” was the last criterion, worth up to five points.
OU student Samantha Fulnecky, with her Bible, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
OU STUDENT’S ZERO FOR CHRISTIAN-BASED GENDER CRITIQUE TRIGGERS CONGRESSIONAL PUSHBACK OVER ACADEMIC BIAS
Fulnecky filed an official religious discrimination complaint with the school after receiving the zero grade, and Curth was put on administrative leave pending an investigation.
On Dec. 22, the University of Oklahoma released a statement saying Curth had been fired.
“Based on an examination of the graduate teaching assistant’s prior grading standards and patterns, as well as the graduate teaching assistant’s own statements related to this matter, it was determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper,” the school said. “The graduate teaching assistant will no longer have instructional duties at the University.”
Stewart said in her statement that Fulnecky had an ulterior political motive for challenging the grade, and slammed the university for making public statements while she said Curth is bound by “confidentiality rules.”
“Rather than engaging in discrimination, Mel Curth has been the target of a political movement that seeks to silence and/or oust LGBTQ people from academia,” Stewart’s statement concludes. “Ms. Curth will continue to fight back against these harmful allegations.”
A University of Oklahoma campus sign is pictured in Norman, Oklahoma, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital reached out to Stewart and the University of Oklahoma for comment.
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