Closing an Agricultural Research Center Reflects Bad USDA Habits

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By Nick Braune As a teacher and local columnist, I have developed some good “contacts” and usually receive incisive comments from those I call on. But one person I know at the Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center (SARC) in Weslaco, Texas told me he couldn’t comment about the scheduled closure there and suggested I call the press office in D.C. But being uninterested in stock answers from government bureaucrats, I shook off that suggestion. Still, I have … Continue reading →

ICE detains, deports U.S. citizens, and their numbers don’t add up

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By Teddy Wilson The Texas Independent Reposted with permission Jakadrien Turner ran away from home in the fall of 2010, and ended up being deported to Columbia. Turner, then fourteen years old, wasn’t an undocumented immigrant, but a US citizen from Dallas, Texas. According to reporting by WFAA Channel 8, Turner was arrested by police for theft in Houston, and gave police officers a fake name. When the police checked the name it belonged to a 22-year-old illegal immigrant from … Continue reading →

Organizations Call for End to Detaining Immigrant Families

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Groups Demand That ICE Prioritize Release and Alternatives AUSTIN — A broad coalition of more than 65 national, state, and local immigrant, civil rights, and faith organizations today called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end the practice of detaining immigrant families, including small children and infants. In an open letter to ICE director John Morton, the groups urge ICE to prioritize release and alternatives to detention for immigrant families awaiting asylum or immigration hearings. ICE has issued a … Continue reading →

Free Ramsey Campaign Responds to Clinton’s Call to Free All Political Prisoners

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The National Committee to Free Ramsey Muniz has thanked US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for her call to release political prisoners everywhere. In a letter to Clinton in late December, Irma Muniz referred to statements made by the American Secretary of State in Burma. “We believe that any political prisoner anywhere should be released,” Clinton told reporters. “One political prisoner is one too many in our view.” In a direct response to Clinton’s remarks, Irma Muniz called attention … Continue reading →

A Lawsuit in South Texas: Social Security and Due Process

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By Nick Braune I remember visiting the Social Security office three months ago in McAllen, Texas. Entering the waiting room with its “take a number” method, I was told by a guard that I was not allowed to bring in my coffee, which I just bought at Whataburger. I waited outside, finished my coffee and then went in to sit in the rows of chairs facing the same direction to wait my turn. Although I hate visiting those sorts of … Continue reading →

On Ramsey Muniz’ Birthday, LULAC asks Obama to Commute Sentence

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On the occasion of Ramsey Muniz’ 69th birthday, we are gratified to share with our readers the following appeals from Andres Guerrero and Ruben Barrera Botello.–gm Dear Friends: On Tuesday, December 13, Ramsey will turn 69 years of age! I constantly thank God for having him in my life. He maintains faith, love, and spirituality in spite of the pain and suffering that he and his family have experienced. For those who want to wish him a happy birthday or … Continue reading →