Results tagged “immigration”

• Federal probe ends, NM Gov. Richardson won't be charged in pay-to-play investigation.
• On Sen. Kennedy's work for immigration reform.
• Mexico's drug violence spilling over the border as informers move north.

The T. Don Hutto Residential Center will no longer be a detainment center for families awaiting judgments on their immigration cases, the Obama administration announced this morning.

China rising: US, Beijing, prepare for "G2" summit Pelosi vows passage of healthcare overhaul Bill Moyers: Obama and healthcare execs -- BFFs? More economic indicators: The "Big Mac" exchange rate No more body counts in Afghanistan as mission focus shifts Business Week: "Skilled Immigrants on Why They're Leaving the U.S." MJ's hair to be made into "diamonds", whereabouts of nose still uncertain

About twenty to twenty-five people were smuggled into Texas through Mexico and held captive in Bastrop County, a man who escaped from his captors yesterday told authorities. When ICE and Bastrop County SWAT arrived on the scene (a single-wide trailer near Dale) yesterday evening, most of the hostages had been moved from the location. There were reports of some female hostages being sexually assaulted and of the three kidnappers keeping water and food from their hostages. Two of the three men in charge of the operation were arrested; Juan Carlos Sanchez-Camacho and Nabor Rodriguez-Guillen have been charged with seven counts of aggravated kidnapping. The Bastrop County Sheriffs Office reports that the kidnappers were demanding money from the families of their hostages. There are likely to be more details released on this story as the investigation continues. [News8Austin, Statesman]

AMBER ALERT Time Warner breaks up with AOL. Sotomayor on the abortion fence? 'Cuz we totally need another war. Madoff scam keeps innocent people behind bars? Dog custody battle. Frozen mom found in fridge 20 years later.

Wouldn't it be sad if after such an awesome turnout for the national election, the following municipal election had record low turnout? Answer: yes. So don't forget to vote tomorrow! City Hall Hustle dissects the campaign ads in this election. Members of the House worked late into the night on changes to TxDOT. Passenger angrily pees on back of Austin cab, cabbie runs over his legs. Obama's budget proposal would leave the border fence unfinished. Texan author Bud Shrake died today.

• City Council was told today that Austin faces a $30 million budget gap in the next year.
• Waco lawmaker suggests moving the governor to the Pease Mansion, as buying that property would cost much less than restoration for the current mansion is expected to cost.
• Legislation to accept the federal stimulus money for unemployment insurance passed in State Senate and moving to the House; Gov. Perry not happy.

The stories of two families collide in Sin Nombre, the first feature film from Writer/Director Cary Joji Fukunaga, which will screen as part of the Spotlight Premier category of SXSW. As anyone who grew up in Texas, or any of the border states, can tell you, the people of southern and central America who dare to dream of a life above that determinate line in the sand will risk everything that they have to provide a better life for themselves and their family.

The T. Don Hutto Family Detention Center in Taylor, TX, which is not too far from our fair city, opened in May of 2006, and houses a significant number of immigrant families who seek asylum in our country. When it first opened, only an hour a day was spent on education for the children; families were required to eat meals in a fifteen minute time frame, children were allowed less than 20 minutes a day outside, and all detainees were counted three times a day.The Least of These, a documentary that will see it's World Premier as part of the Lone Star States screenings at SXSW, is the story of these families and the advocates that struggle to win basic human rights for them in the looming shadow of the Department of Homeland Security.

Obama apologizes for not scrutinizing some of his Cabinet picks close enough. Immigrant raid program that was supposed to focus on criminals and terrorism suspects ended up going after those with no criminal record and no deportation orders, because they were easier to find. Government to set cap on executive pay for companies receiving bailout funds. JPMorgan Chase CEO says general criticism of executive pay is not fair. Google Earth now includes the oceans. Shocker: Nadya Suleman (the woman who just had octuplets) shopping around for a media deal. Eminem: The fall and rise of a superstar

• Winter storm warning update
• Weather closings and postponements (will keep updating)
• On Perry's State of the State speech today. . .

• Surge in unemployment claims is "unexpected." Are you kidding!?
• It's official: Daschle to lead HHS.
• Irony alert: Illegal immigrants used by cleaning firm employed by Immigration chief/head of Homeland Security Chertoff.

State Board of Education holding a hearing today in Austin on the teaching of evolution. In these troubled economic times, don't our state legislators deserve to spend $140,000 on chandeliers and expensive granite countertops for their members-only lounge? Progress Coffee is selling food for donations tomorrow (from 6:30am-7pm); all proceeds will go to Bread for the World and Capital Area Food Bank. Family security lanes now in use at ABIA. Federal officials holding a hearing on the South Texas border fence. Seven Katy varsity cheerleaders indicted for hazing charges. Will Smith and Tony Romo stopped by a pep rally at Lake Highlands High School yesterday.

Austin firefighters' union not happy about random drug testing proposal. More on the train derailment that occurred downtown this morning. Crews cleaning up the downtown oil tank which earlier this year spilled into Waller Creek. Soon Georgetown residents won't be allowed to park in yards anymore. Two Republican members of the Lege ask AG Abbott about possible state anti-immigration options.

evso/Flickr
• The City of Austin has set up a site online to serve as a local carbon reduction resource.
• Austin Public Library Foundation hires new Executive Director.
• Dripping Springs Rep. Patrick Rose testified about the Pedernales CoOp before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in D.C. today.

Residents near the proposed homeless RV park in East Austin are not happy about the idea. Austin's Director of Communications resigned yesterday. Local boxer charged with manslaughter for a May 2nd hit-and-run. Community groups petition Travis County not to get involved with ICE's Criminal Alien Program. Elgin residents might want to boil their water; 200,000 gallons of sewage found to be flowing into Little Sandy Creek.

Texas Insurance Council estimates Wednesday night's storms caused $25 million worth of damage. During the storm, someone broke into a South Austin public storage facility. Job growth for our area lower than it was last year. Texas Border Coalition suing to stop construction of Bush's border fence.

• Thousands and thousands and thousands of people are dead in China.
• McCain comes out in favor of carbon caps.
• Teenagers who smoke pot are likely to be depressed later on, gov't says.

Body found this afternoon at Lady Bird Lake. Man drives the wrong way on IH35 near Jarrell, two are killed. Lawyer Adam Reposa jailed for making obscene gesture at Travis County judge. Supreme Court rules death by lethal injection constitutional; executions very likely to be back on in Texas.

Adrian Jaimes found safe last night in North Austin; police are still searching for his kidnappers. Whole Foods: "more interested in cheap tomatoes than the well-being of those working to get produce to the store." Parents from NYOS charter school met with school officials this morning to discuss death of student last week; memorial service for Tevin Park-Flowers tomorrow. Convicted rapist escapes South Texas prison by leaving through an unlocked door. Women targeting businessmen at fancy Dallas hotels, slipping them the Mickey Finn to steal their watches.

Six missing after refinery explosion in Georgia. Economic stimulus package ready for president's signature. Checks should start arriving in May. Border-control activists not fans of McCain's rise. Does this guy creep anyone else out?

15% of items put out for recycling in Austin end up in a landfill anyway. Dewhurst doubts TxDOT's claims of being really low on funds. Speaking of TxDOT, you can vote on their site for the next state license plate design. Voting ends next Monday. Illegal immigrants moving to Texas in large numbers from . . . Oklahoma and Arizona?

This weekend human rights activists protested against the family immigration detention center in Taylor. Body left for San Antonio medical examiner after traffic accident wasn't dead yet. McKinney man caught after following UPS trucks and stealing packages left outside homes. Was Jessica Simpson's appearance at the Cowboys game yesterday the reason they lost? If not, can we blame her anyway?

Photo by jcolman on flickrSam Kambo has been living in Texas since 1994 when he came to Austin to attend UT. After his graduation from UT, he worked for the LCRA. At least, he did until the fall of 2006, when he was arrested and detained in San Antonio for allegedly taking part in a mass murder. Before Kambo came to Texas, he was one of eight leaders of a coup in Sierra Leone in...

AFS Essentials Presents Black DjuTuesday, November 13thAlamo Drafthouse South Lamar (1120 S. Lamar)7pm, $4 / Free to AFS Members[info] | [tickets]It's bad enough being a stranger in a strange land, but when you need assistance from the local people to help solve the mysterious disappearance of your father, things can get downright maddening. Tonight, the Austin Film Society sends us on a suspenseful quest as they presents Black Dju, the fifth offering in the...

All state constitutional amendments passed in the election yesterday. Famed architect Frank Gehry is being sued by MIT for the design for the Stata Center. "Product of a judicial system dominated by men": According to the Board of immigration appeals, genital cutting isn't enough to grant asylum, but forced sterilization is. Anti-Musharraf protesters angry about emergency rule were beaten by police in Pakistan today. Surgery to remove 4 extra limbs from an Indian girl...

Have a happy and safe Halloween! If you're headed to Sixth Street, leave your light saber/fake gun/billy club at home. Williamson County won't kick privately-run immigration detention center out of Taylor now that they aren't liable for it. Some Texas prosecutors will wait for the Supreme Court's decision next year before asking judges to set execution dates. After a soldier died in a Ft. Hood training exercise, his supervising officer is facing court martial....

Mayor Wynn says, "We're taking action today that will lower the cost of utility bills, make housing more affordable, help improve air quality and take critical steps in the fight against global warming," as City Council adopts codes to make new homes zero energy capable. El Paso high school student collapses and dies after finishing the PSAT. Blanco High School pranksters put bloody deer carcass in Comfort High School bus. Bird conservationists are opposed...

An ominous black piñata shaped like a B-2 bomber greets visitors walking through the doors at Arthouse in downtown Austin. Around the corner stands a John Deere tractor made entirely of clay; a string of Japanese fireworks dangle from the ceiling. Five of the state’s most under-recognized artists are featured in the new Arthouse Texas Prize exhibit, which marries unexpected beauty with mind-bending artistic statements. The exhibit was designed to celebrate the broad spectrum of...

John Vanderslice's latest album, The Emerald City, is a gorgeous glimpse into the mind of a great songwriter - a man attempting to discuss love, loss, and frustration with things outside of his control, both internally and externally. The record is both politically charged and characteristically subtle, bringing Vanderslice to the forefront of his genre. His deft perseverance towards intelligently curated lyrics coupled with an impressive array of acoustic instruments capture the mind and heart,...