Texas Standard for Nov. 29, 2022: Oral arguments begin in United States v. Texas

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in United States v. Texas, a case that asks big questions about immigration policy. Texas and Louisiana are challenging the Biden administration’s ability to prioritize certain groups for deportation. But the case could also have major implications for how states legally push back against the federal government.

By Texas StandardNovember 29, 2022 9:54 am,

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022:

Migrant camp torn down

A migrant camp in Juárez is gone after authorities removed about 300 tents. As many as 1,000 people from Venezuela had been living on the banks of the Rio Grande across from El Paso for the last month and a half. That’s when the Biden administration shut the door to most Venezuelans seeking asylum. KTEP’s Angela Kocherga reports from Juárez, Mexico:

Oral arguments begin in United States v. Texas

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in United States v. Texas, a case that asks big questions about immigration policy. Texas and Louisiana are challenging the Biden administration’s ability to prioritize certain groups for deportation. But the case could also have major implications for how states legally push back against the federal government. Teresa Messer, director and professor of practice of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Houston Law Center, joins the show to talk about each side’s arguments.

El Paso County district attorney steps down

El Paso County District Attorney Yvonne Rosales submitted her resignation Monday. Rosales’ performance had been under fire for several months, and she faced a trial to remove her from office. KTEP’s Aaron Montes reports her resignation letter was presented to a judge at a status hearing for the removal case:

Austin mayoral runoff: A conversation with Celia Israel

The Austin mayoral election is headed to a runoff between former state senator and former Austin mayor Kirk Watson and Celia Israel, who is leaving her seat in the state Legislature representing House District 50. In the Texas House, Israel helped found the LGBTQ Caucus and has been an advocate for police reform and voting rights. She was also one of the legislators who left Texas last session to temporarily prevent the passage of a bill around voting regulations. She spoke to the Texas Standard about why she should be Austin’s next mayor.

Respect for Marriage Act advances

The U.S. Senate on Monday advanced the Respect for Marriage Act, which would give federal recognition to all marriages between two people. The bill is expected to reach the president’s desk later this week. Dale Carpenter, professor and chair of constitutional law at the Dedman Law School at SMU, speaks to the Texas Standards about what’s in the bill.

Astroworld safety agreement

The City of Houston and Harris County are set to vote this week on a safety agreement meant to prevent another tragedy like the one last November at Travis Scott’s Astroworld. Ten people died after being crushed in the crowd at Scott’s concert. Houston Public Media’s Lucio Vasquez spoke to an expert who says the plan isn’t good enough:

Boerne’s ‘International Bridge’ brought Russia and Ukraine together on Earth Day 1990

At Boerne’s Cibolo Nature Center there’s a small walk bridge with a nondescript appearance, whose history is anything but. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan has the story.

Plano city council members and mayor got campaign donations from short-term rental PAC

The Plano city council is made up of seven members and a mayor. An analysis from KERA North Texas found that, since November 2021, all members got donations from a real estate advocacy group that strongly supports short-term rental owners. KERA’s Caroline Love has the story.

All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Michael Marks with the Talk of Texas.

If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.