Texas

Ayana Byrd  Jan 24, 2019 12:42PM EST

READ: How Texas Contributed to Rise in Pregnant Girls in Foster Care System

One teen mother: “All my friends that I was in placements with—every single one—either has a kid or is pregnant right now.”
Women hold pink signs with white lettering. They read, "Stand with women," and "Protect women's health."
Ayana Byrd  Oct 18, 2018 1:47PM EDT

Nearly Half the Texas Providers Offering Free Reproductive Health Care Have Zero Patients

The state has not found an effective alternative to Planned Parenthood, which it defunded in 2011.
A U.S. border wall tops a levee near Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on March 15, 2017, near La Grulla, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Oct 15, 2018 12:29PM EDT

Trump Administration to Suspend Dozens Of Environmental and Health Laws to Build Border Wall

Activists says residents and wildlife along the wall’s proposed route are in danger.
White marble building with columns and statue of someone holding an unfurled scroll, bright blue sky in the background
Ayana Byrd  Oct 10, 2018 1:36PM EDT

Judge Rules Indian Child Welfare Act Unconstitutional

When the law was passed in 1978, about a third of Native children were being forced into foster care and adoption.
DHS says it's trying to reunite some 2,000 children with their parents after Trump ends family separation policy.
Alfonso Serrano  Jun 25, 2018 12:20PM EDT

Homeland Security Releases Its Plan to Reunite Children Separated From Parents Due to 'Zero Tolerance'

Despite announcement, Trump administration could continue separating families, according to legal experts.

 
Brown woman wearing a teal shirt holds child wearing pink shirt. They are surrounded by men in uniforms.
Alfonso Serrano  Jun 20, 2018 11:14AM EDT

Babies, Preschoolers Held in 'Tender Age' Detention Centers

Amid public outcry over Trump’s family separation practice, doctors describe despondent young children at three Texas detention centers.
Ayana Byrd  Jun 15, 2018 12:02PM EDT

Lawsuit Challenges Texas Abortion Laws That Target Women of Color

As state lawmakers continue to pass restrictive measures, a coalition of reproductive rights advocates are working on what they call a “big fix” to Texas’ restrictive abortion laws.
HHS eyeing several TExas sites to erect tent cities to house unaccompanied minors.
Alfonso Serrano  Jun 13, 2018 10:57AM EDT

Trump Administration Mulls Tent Cities to House Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Officials eye Texas military bases as possible sites for temporary housing.
Civil rights groups call for end of separation of migrant parents and children at the border
Alfonso Serrano  Jun 4, 2018 12:17PM EDT

Civil Rights Groups Appeal for International Help in Ending Separation of Immigrant Families

The coalition calls on the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to end “unjustifiable” separation of migrant parents and children at the border.
A brown, pregnant abdomen
Ayana Byrd  Apr 11, 2018 1:40PM EDT

Maternal Mortality Rate in Texas Lower Than Believed, But Black Women's Numbers Remain Alarmingly High

A correction in data collection still confirms that Black pregnant Texans face disproportionate health dangers.
Texas National Guard Prepares To Deploy To U.S. Mexico Border
Alfonso Serrano  Apr 10, 2018 12:21PM EDT

Three Southern States Pledge National Guard Troops to Reinforce Border Security

The move comes as details emerge on the role troops deployed by President Donald Trump will play on the United States-Mexico border.
ICE Agents Detain Suspected Undocumented Immigrants
Alfonso Serrano  Mar 14, 2018 12:30PM EDT

Appeals Court Upholds Majority of Texas Anti-Sanctuary Law

Hailed by the Trump administration, the ruling allows law enforcement to ask detainees for proof of citizenship.
Black woman with black afro in grey tank top in front of blurry grey and black background
Sameer Rao  Feb 16, 2018 12:46PM EST

Oscar-Nominated 'Traffic Stop' Explores Violent Arrest of Breaion King

The short documentary delves into the Black teacher’s interaction with two White Austin Police Department officers in 2015. 
A pair of black sneakers are in focus in a detention center and a security guard stands in the background.
catherine lizette gonzalez  Oct 26, 2017 1:43PM EDT

Undocumented Teen Has Abortion After Weeks of Battling Trump Administration

“I made my decision, and that is between me and God. Through all of this, I have never changed my mind.”
Brown door with white signs with black text under light brown ceiling
Sameer Rao  Oct 19, 2017 4:33PM EDT

UPDATE: Federal Appeals Court Rules That Undocumented Teen Can Obtain Abortion

The decision overrules the Trump administration’s objections.
Texas flag
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 16, 2017 1:28PM EDT

ICYMI: NAACP LDF Asks Texas to Accommodate Voters Displaced by Hurricane Harvey

“The Texas code already recognizes that a natural disaster is an extenuating circumstance necessitating accommodations.”
Man fills plastic bottle with water from hose, woman stands nearby holding an organge container
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 11, 2017 10:22AM EDT

House Committee Approves $36.5 Billion in Hurricane and Wildfire Recovery Aid

“These funds are vital right now, in the near term, to get the aid where it is needed most.”
Black man stands among his family's ruined possessions
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 5, 2017 12:04PM EDT

Climate Justice Roundup: Methane Rule Reinstated, Disaster Relief Aid Requested, Clean Power Plan in Trouble

Two steps forward, one step back.
Back woman in white dress performs behind black microphone and stand while cast in red light in front of brown background
Sameer Rao  Aug 31, 2017 2:56PM EDT

Solange Announces Benefit Show to Support Hurricane Harvey Relief

“I’m committed to partnering with organizations on the ground in Houston and making contributions to uplift the city that raised me with so much love.”
Miriam Zoila Pérez  Aug 30, 2017 3:27PM EDT

In the Face of Federal Gridlock, States Are Moving Forward With New Abortion Laws

While the federal government isn’t moving much policy, state legislatures across the country have been busy reducing or increasing abortion access at nearly equal rates.