Texas Civil Rights Review

Author: mopress

  • NACCS-Tejas Regional Conference Schedule

    complete schedule from Roberto Calderon

    NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CHICANA & CHICANO STUDIES

    NACCS-Tejas Regional Conference
    University of North Texas
    March 1-3, 2007

    Conference Program

    [Revised: January 19, 2007]

    Thursday, March 1, 2007

    Plenary 1—Bienvenida: A Conversation with Mexican American Legislators
    University
    Theatre, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Reception,
    Golden Eagle, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

    Friday, March 2, 2007

    Registration: Wooten Hall 111, 8:30 am – 9:00 am

    Session 1: A Critical Conversation on Gloria Anzaldúa’s
    Work
    Wooten
    Hall 267, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Chair, Norma E. Cantú, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Glenda Serna-Schaffer, “On the Other-Side of the Bridge,” University
    of Texas at San Antonio
    Fabiola Torralba, “The New Mestiza Consciousness: Radical Transformations
    for a Movement of Inclusivity,” University of Texas at San Antonio
    Venetia June Pedraza, “The Borderland Is a Space, Culture, and Theory:
    The Social Construction of History, Gender, Sexuality and Memory,” University
    of Texas at San Antonio
    T. Jackie Cuevas, “Chicana Feminism in the Post-Borderlands: Or, What
    Was Chicana Feminism?” University of Texas at San Antonio

    Session 2: Cruzando Sierras Voy de Mojad@! Practice, Politics,
    and the Unpacking of Popular Immigration Discourse
    Wooten
    Hall 262, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Alex E. Chávez, “Huapango Arribeño: Performing
    the Mexican Immigrant Experience,” University of Texas at Austin
    Santiago Guerra, “Contrabando y Coyotes: Trafficking and the
    Contemporary Immigration Debate,” University of Texas at Austin

    Session 3: The Chicano Movement in South Texas & Struggles for
    Immigrants Rights
    Wooten
    Hall 211, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Patricia Dunn, “The Tenth Anniversary of the César E. Chávez
    March for Justice Exhibit,” Institute of Texan Cultures, University of
    Texas at San Antonio
    Noe Ramírez, “Research Findings on the Community Organization
    Activities of the Chicano Movement in South Texas and Their Implications for
    Organizing Immigrant Groups,” University of Texas-Pan American

    Session 4: Framing the Immigration Debate: Terms of Engagement
    Wooten
    Hall 230, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    David J. Molina, “The Impact of US-Mexico Economic Integration on the
    Flow of Labor and Capital on Each Country,” University of North Texas
    Celina Vásquez, “Framing the Immigration Debate—No Soy ‘Illegal
    Alien,’” Texas Woman’s University
    Paul Dunbar, “Immigration: An American Dilemma,” University of
    North Texas
    Amalia Guirao, “Policies of Social Exclusion: A Comparative Analysis
    of Spanish and U.S. Marginalization of Immigrants in Society,” University
    of Texas at San Antonio

    Break: 10:15 am – 10:30 am

    Session 5: The Living Conditions of U.S.-Born Children of Mexican
    Immigrants in Unmarried Families
    Wooten
    Hall 262, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Yolanda C. Padilla, University of Texas at Austin
    Melissa Radey, Florida State University

    Session 6: Broadening the Definition of Chicanismo: Immigrants Beyond
    Aztlán
    Wooten
    Hall 267, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Yazmín Lazcano, Texas State University
    Barbara Lundberg, Texas State University
    Gina Guzmán, Texas State University
    Paul Velásquez, Texas State University

    Session 7: The Latina/o Chicana/o Oral History Project: Nuestro
    Derecho a la Educación
    Wooten
    Hall 211, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Chair, Mariela Nuñez-Janes, University of North Texas
    Baltazar Flores, University of North Texas
    Chase Walding, University of North Texas
    Nezahualcoyotl Paniagua, University of North Texas
    Erbin Ayala, University of North Texas
    Elizabeth Rovira, University of North Texas
    Ryan Gilbert, University of North Texas

    Session 8: Mexican American Lawyering I: Las Cuatro Esquinas de
    Nuestra Cultura
    Wooten
    Hall 230, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Isidro Aguirre, “Las Cuatro Esquinas de Nuestra Cultura: Gus
    García, J.J. Herrera, Carlos Cadena y Maury Maverick Jr.,” Dallas
    Independent School District (DISD)

    Break: 11:45 am – 12:00 / Walk to Noon Plenary Session

    Plenary 2: Keynote Address – Golden Eagle Suite, University
    uni*n (Lunch Served)

    Michael A. Olivas, “‘Colored Men’ and ‘Hombres Aquí’: Hernández
    v. Texas     and the Emergence of Mexican American Lawyering,” University
    of Houston School of Law

    Break: 1:30 pm – 1:45 pm / Return to Wooten Hall

    Session 9: What Does It Mean to Become American? Cultural Deposits
    and Withdrawals in the Americanization Process of Young Immigrants
    Wooten
    Hall 262, 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm

    Dolores E. Godinez, University of Texas at Austin
    María Luisa Illescas-Glasscock, University of Texas at Austin

    Session 10: The Texas Bilingual Education Story: Celebrating Our
    Legacy     (2005)
    Wooten
    Hall 211, 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm

    Rudy Rodríguez, Producer, University of North Texas
    Guadalupe San Miguel, Commentator, University of Houston

    Session 11: Mythic Journeys, Political Resistance & Modernity
    in Literature & Film
    Wooten
    Hall 267, 1:45 – 3:00 pm

    Ignacio López-Calvo, “Literary and Political Resistance in Alfredo
    Véa’s Gods Go Begging,” University of North Texas
    Cordelia Barrera, “Landscape, Dreams, and Mythic Journeys in the Works
    of Rudolfo Anaya,” University of Texas at San Antonio
    Javier Rodríguez, “Becoming the Undocumented: Passages into Mexico
    in the Two Recent Films The Gatekeeper and The Three Burials of
    Melquiades Estrada    ,” Notre Dame University

    Session 12: Minority School Achievement: An Examination of Culture
    and Language in San Antonio
    Wooten
    Hall 230, 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm

    Carmen Guzmán-Martínez, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Esther Garza, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Hsiao-Ping Wu, University of Texas at San Antonio

    Break: 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm

    Session 13: “Excavating a Hymn”: Recent Bibliographic
    Work in Chicana/o Studies
    Wooten
    Hall 262, 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

    Larissa Mercado-López, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Megan Sibbett, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Marco Cervantes, University of Texas at San Antonio

    Session 14: Exploring Cultural Citizenship through Theatre
    Wooten
    Hall 267, 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

    Lorenzo García, University of North Te
    xas
    Glor
    ia Benavides, University of North Texas
    Dante Martínez, University of North Texas

    Session 15: Expanding the Picture of Chicano/a Studies: Teaching Writing
    with Images of Immigrants
    Wooten
    Hall 211, 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

    Chair, Jaime Armin Mejía, Texas State University
    Lupita Murillo Tinnen, Collin County Community College District, Plano
    Jennifer Johnson, Texas State University
    Lisa Roy-Davis, Collin County Community College District, Plano

    Session 16: Unheard Voices: A Documentary Film about Immigrant
    Rights, Civil Rights, and Youth
    Wooten
    Hall 230, 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm

    Chair, Mariela Nuñez-Janes, University of North Texas
    John Skrobarczyk, University of North Texas
    Jorge Ledesma, University of North Texas
    Esther Reyes, University of North Texas
    Rumana Rahman, University of North Texas

    Break: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

    Meet Authors & Book Signing: Wooten Hall 267, 6:00 pm – 7:00
    pm

    Tardeada y Baile: University uni*n, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

    Conjunto
    Aztlán & Others TBA

    Saturday, March 3, 2007

    Registration, Wooten Hall, First Floor Foyer, 8:30 am – 9:00
    am

    Session 17: Who’s Really Invading Our Space? “Intelligence
    Community,” Environmental Racism, Human/Civil Rights Abuses & Anti-Immigrant
    Infrastructure in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
    Wooten
    Hall 214, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Kamala Platt, University of Texas-Pan American
    Nadeshda I. Garza, University of Texas-Pan American
    Pedro Sandoval, University of Texas-Pan American

    Session 18: South Texas’ Spatial Politics of Domination and
    Resistance
    Wooten
    Hall 213, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Chair, María Quezada, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Lori Rodríguez, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Andrea Figueroa, University of Texas at San Antonio
    Jennifer Vásquez, “Conroe: Ex-urbanization of a Small Texas Town,” University
    of Texas at San Antonio
    Francisco Aranda, “Family Photos/Records of Place,” University
    of Texas at San Antonio
    Jesús Reyes, “’People of Earth’: Texas and Northeastern
    Mexico Coahuiltecan,” University of Texas at San Antonio

    Session 19: A Border (Reality) Checkpoint
    Wooten
    Hall 262, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Sara Inés Calderón, Reporter, ¡Ahora Sí!,
    Austin, Texas
    G. Daniel López, Photographer, The Brownsville Herald, Brownsville,
    Texas

    Session 20: The Emergence of a Student Social Movement: A Case Study
    of Walkouts in Dallas, Texas
    Wooten
    Hall 267, 9:00 am – 10:15 am

    Hortencia Jiménez, University of Texas at Austin
    Laura Barbarena, University of Texas at Austin
    Michael Young, University of Texas at Austin

    Break: 10:15 am – 10:30 am

    Session 21: Memoir & Autobiography: Personal, Family & Community
    Narratives
    Wooten
    Hall 230, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Josephine Méndez-Negrete, “Reading from her book, Las Hijas
    de Juan    ,” University of Texas at San Antonio
    Francisco R. Aranda, “Family Photos/Records of Place,” University
    of Texas at San Antonio

    Session 22: Mexican American Lawyering II: Education, Labor & Justice
    for Immigrants
    Wooten
    Hall 262, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Virginia Marie Raymond, “Dangerous Innocence and the Limits of Equal
    Protection: Plyler v. Doe at Twenty-Five,” University of Texas
    at Austin
    Benny Agosto, Jr., “Can Undocumented Workers Sue for Lost Wages?” Abraham,
    Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Matthews & Friend, Houston, Texas & Chair
    of the Editors Board, Texas Bar Journal

    Session 23: Gender, Political Activism & Electoral Politics
    in Tejas
    Wooten
    Hall 267, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Juanita Luna Lawhn, “Emma Tenayuca: Leftist vs. Nationalist,” San
    Antonio College
    De Ann Rose, “A City Divided: The Murder of Santos Rodríguez in
    Dallas, Texas,” University of North Texas
    José Angel Gutiérrez, “Ciro Rodríguez’s Political
    Lifesaver: Mid-Decade Redistricting in Texas,” University of Texas at
    Arlington

    Session 24: Art & the Literary Postmodern: Neoindigenism & the
    Mexican Diaspora
    Wooten
    Hall 214, 10:30 am – 11:45 am

    Jesús Cantú Medel, “Neoindigenism in Chicano/a Art: A
    Site for Praxis in Art Education in Pro-Immigrant Activities,” Houston
    Community College, Northline
    Micaela Pérez, “Journey of Self Consciousness: Self, Identity,
    and Community,” University of Texas at San Antonio
    Luis Velarde, “Representations of Displacement, Migration, and Diaspora
    in Gómez-Peña,” University of North Texas

    Break: 11:45 am – 12:00 Noon

    Plenary 3—Despedida: The State of Mexican American Studies in
    Texas
    Wooten
    Hall 222, 12 Noon – 1 pm

    TBA

    Exhibits

    Exhibit 1: Patricia Dunn, “The Tenth Anniversary of
    the César E. Chávez March for Justice Exhibit,” Institute
    of Texan Cultures, University of Texas at San Antonio

    Exhibit 2: Michelle Mears, “Mexican American Holdings
    in the University of North Texas Archives,” University Archives, University
    of North Texas

    Exhibit 3: Noemí Martínez, Río
    Grande Valley Zines & Projects

    Exhibit 4: University of North Texas Book Store

    Note: Exhibits and the registration table will be found in
    Wooten Hall 111 on Friday, March 2, 2007. On Saturday, March 3, 2007,
    the exhibits and registration table will be located in Wooten Hall’s
    first floor foyer.

  • In the Name of Peace for Palestine: Free Maryam Ibrahim

    Editorial

    When six foreign ministers of the Persian Gulf met last week with their colleagues from Jordan, Egypt, and the USA they spoke also about a need to bring peace to Palestine.

    A joint statement from the so-called six-plus-two ministers and the USA Secretary of State serves as a documentary reminder that there is no peace in Palestine and that the refusal of USA authorities to grant amnesty to Palestinian families in Texas is cruel and unusual punishment that criminalizes children born into Palestinian heritage.

    The USA bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is therefore contributing to the scope and cruelty of the Palestinian conflict by inflicting imprisonment upon Texas children.

    In this regard, we think especially about 8-year-old Maryam Ibrahim who nearly died from chemical warfare when she was a toddler in Palestine, who has since lived in fear of uniforms, and who is now being subjected to mental torture every evening at 10pm when she is taken by uniformed officials to a cell that she cannot share with her pregnant mother.

    Nothing about this situation at the T. Don Hutto prison camp is tolerable. In light of the recent pleas jointly spoken with Persian Gulf diplomats, the USA Secretary of State should intervene directly in behalf of Maryam Ibrahim and signal the intentions of the USA to make peace for Palestinian children wherever they live. Notes

    Excerpt from the Gulf Cooperation Council-Plus-Two Ministerial Joint Statement, Jan. 16, 2007, copied from USA State Dept. web site.

    The participants agreed that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains a central and core problem and that without resolving this conflict the region will not enjoy sustained peace and stability. The participants affirmed their commitment to achieving peace in the Middle East through a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and noted that the foundation for such an outcome includes the Arab Peace Initiative, UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515, and the Road Map. The participants called on the parties to abide by and implement previous agreements and obligations, including the Agreement on Movement and Access and to seek to fulfill their obligations under the Sharm el-Sheikh Understandings of 2005. The participants expressed their hope that the December 2006 meeting between the Palestinian President and the Israeli Prime Minister will be followed by concrete steps in this direction. The participants welcomed the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli dialogue, and hope that it would lead to a full resumption of negotiations aiming at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement between them as a step towards achieving comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The participants affirmed their commitment to support development of the Palestinian economy, building and strengthening the institutions of the Palestinian state.

    Excerpt from Salaheddin Ibrahim’s plea for asylum, archived at the Texas Civil Rights Review.

    During summer 2000 the Israelis attacked Al Fandaqumiyah with tanks, airplanes and gunfire. I was away from the house when the attack started, and ran home. I went up on the roof. The Israelis fired gas bombs and one of them broke the window of my kitchen and fell inside the house. I came down from the roof and threw the bomb back outside. It was hot, but not too hot to scoop up and quickly throw out. The children were sick and Hanan and I ran with them out of the house. Maryam, who was two years old, was overcome by the gas and unconscious.

    I ran with the children and my wife with shooting all around us, and the children were crying and my wife was crying. We stayed outside in the olive grove until the Israeli troops left the village. Then we went back in the house. Maryam had awakened but she was very sick. She had great difficulty breathing. I called my neighbor and asked him to come with me to the pharmacy to buy medicine for Maryam. I was afraid and wanted the neighbor Abdel Ba Set Raba to come just so I would feel safer. I intended to explain the problem to the pharmacist so that he could provide what Maryam needed.

    I drove to the pharmacy. There were two others from my village in the pharmacy, but while we were in the pharmacy the Israeli soldiers came in and ordered us out. When we went out they confiscated our identity cards. The soldiers told me to go remove an object in the street, but I told them I had to take medicine to my daughter. They thought the object might be a mine or a booby trap. They cursed me and told me to do what they ordered me to do.

    I refused and they shot near my head and demanded that I go. I went and recovered the object that was in the street. It was just a bag. Then they forced us to sweep the street clean. After about 45 minutes the soldiers left. I went into the pharmacy and got some pills that were supposed to enable Maryam to breathe. I gave her the medicine and she recovered. . . .

    Maryam is 4 years old [in the year of the statement, 2002]. She is afraid of policemen in uniform, but the older children understand that they are safe in the United States. In Palestine, when the older children heard shooting or saw helicopters or Israeli soldiers, they would cry and run into the house and pull the bed clothes over their heads. They often were afraid to go to school, and, if they were too terrified to go, we would let them stay at home.

    In November 2000 the Israelis attacked our village, while Hanan and the children were in our olive grove harvesting the olives. The children began to cry. Our neighbor had a small boy, Muraweih, 12 or 13 years old, and the Israelis caught him in the street. He was just about one meter tall. He did not run because he was afraid the Israelis would kill him. When Hamzeh heard that they had caught Muraweih, he was terrified, because he thought they would capture him, too.

    Al Fandaqumiyah has a main street that runs the length of the town from the entrance. Our house was behind the entrance. The school was at the other end. Some of the Israelis remained at the entrance, and others stormed down the street. The Israelis took Muraweih toward the entrance to the town. The child was crying pitifully. His father Yousef, a man with white hair, tried to wrest his son from the soldier who was holding his arm. An Israeli officer saw what a little boy he was and ordered the soldier to let him go.

    On another occasion, the Israelis came down the mountain behind the town, near the school. When they started shooting, all the children ran from the school. The young ones, including Hamzeh and Rodaina, ran crying toward home. I went toward the school and met them in the middle of town. They clung to me and would not let go, and begged me not to leave them, and I took them home. When they reached home, they said they never wanted to go to school again.

    I was hoping the situation would improve. It did not improve, however, and the Israeli occupying forces continue to kill and dispossess the Palestinian people just for being Palestinian. My son Hamzeh, who now is 11, has nightmares and wakes up in terror in the night. Rodaina, who is 9, also wakes up in the night. They are fascinated by the news on television, and know the Israelis have killed many children. Hamzeh is terrified at the possibility of having to return home.

    Sometimes the children cry while watching the television news. When I was told I could apply for asylum I decided to try to keep my family in the United States.

  • Hutto Family Prison in Hands of County Commissioners

    Email from Jay J. Johnson-Castro, Jan. 22, 2007

    Hola y’all…

    The fate of the children incarcerated in the Hutto prison camp is in the hands of the Williamson County Commissioners Court. As of last week, the Commissioners did not realize that they would have such a crucial decision to make this coming week.

    The County’s lease with the Correctional Corporation of America , (CCA) the private company that makes obscene profits off of incarcerating the children and their mothers…expires next week…on January 31st. Now, thanks to the efforts of our investigations and opposition, the Commissioners do know. They know that they can refuse to renew the lease and put an end to the Hutto “ Residential Center ” prison camp.
    There is a growing group of Williamson County citizens that … are shocked that little children are in prison cells for 22 hours a day. They are outraged that such an immoral and criminal act is being committed, not only in America , let alone in the great State of Texas …but right in their county. It is even more repugnant for many of the Williamson County residents that live right in Taylor …not far from the prison camp.

    Many of these citizens will be present [Tuesday] morning at 9:30am at the Commissioners Court in Georgetown. They will be there to oppose the renewal of the lease with CCA and the cancellation of the contract with Chertoff and the ICE Company. So, there is an outreach taking place within the fellow Williamson County residents to attend this meeting.

    Jane Van Praag, will be making a presentation to the Commissioners Court. Jane says the following about when and where the Commissioners Court will meet:

    The Williamson County Commissioners’ Court meets every Tuesday at 9:30 in the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Courtroom at the County Annex Building, 301 SE Inner Loop, in Georgetown. [Tuesday] (23rd) I make my appeal not to renew T. Don Hutto and on the 30th they will discuss whether or not to renew once the contract expires on 01-31-07.

    It is the hope and confidence of the Williamson County residents such as Jane that the Commissioners they elected to represent their citizens’ voice, will do so on this most crucial matter, and especially to have the courage to do the just and moral thing regarding the children. The right thing being…to stand up to a powerful government that would incarcerate children, give the required 120 day notice to Chertoff and ICE, while cancelling the lease with CCA. By doing so, the Commissioners can make a statement with national and international force, that it is an immoral and un-American act to exploit the women and children…let alone for profit.

    As for the rest of us…from all over Texas , the USA and other parts of the world…we are solidly behind Jane Van Praag and the citizens of Williamson County …in their fight to restore a sense of sanity and dignity at this crucial time of American history. We also hope that the Williamson County Commissioners, instinctively champion the children…and force Chertoff and ICE to discontinue something so immoral, repugnant…and even criminal…as to treat these little innocent ones as they are doing.

    To the Williamson County Commissioners, the fate of these children is in your hands. You can champion them. You should champion them…as if they were your own children or grandchildren.

    For a take on this situation from Williamson County residents…here is the link to the Eye on Williamson County. http://www.eyeonwilliamson.org/

    You’re always encouraged to go to http://www.texascivilrightsreview for the most complete accumulation and up to date information regarding the Hutto prison camp.

    Jay

    P.S. Don’t forget the Vigil this coming Thursday evening, January 25th…at 5:50-6:30pm…right in front of the Hutto prison camp. We are holding this third vigil…to encourage the Williamson County Commissioners to choose the children over Chertoff and the ICE Company. Here’s the mapquest map.

    jjj

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    The Border Ambassador

    Connecting.the.dots…making.a.difference…

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Jay J. Johnson-Castro, Sr.

    Del Rio, Texas, USA
    Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila , Mexico

  • Governor Orders Troop Surge at USA Border with Mexico

    Press release from Governor’s Office

    Excerpt: “In addition to the more than 1,700 Texas Army National Guard troops Gov. Perry activated for Operation Jump Start to support U.S. Border Patrol activities, he has activated an additional 604 troops, comprising 12 armed security platoons. These platoons will deploy to various traffic crossovers along the Rio Grande River to support Operation Wrangler, and each platoon will be accompanied by a Border Patrol agent and a local police officer.”
    Jan. 22, 2007

    Gov. Perry Announces Phase II of State-Led Border Security Operation

    Operation Wrangler expands border crime initiatives statewide

    AUSTIN – Today Gov. Rick Perry announced the launch of Operation Wrangler, a statewide expansion of highly successful border security surge operations. This statewide surge operation will be active for an undisclosed period of time in different areas across Texas.

    “Operation Wrangler continues the state’s steadfast efforts to prevent and disrupt criminal activity along the border region by expanding security measures statewide,” Perry said. “An unsecured border affects the entire state of Texas and our nation as a whole. Until the federal government brings the necessary resources to bear, Texas will continue to do all we can to secure our border and protect our citizens.”

    Operation Wrangler is a coordinated interagency law enforcement surge effort intended to prevent and disrupt all crime and illegal international drug and human trafficking. Operation Wrangler will involve federal, state and local ground, air and water-borne assets, including more than 6,800 personnel, 2,200 vehicles, 48 helicopters, 33 fixed wing aircraft and 35 patrol ships.

    In addition to the more than 1,700 Texas Army National Guard troops Gov. Perry activated for Operation Jump Start to support U.S. Border Patrol activities, he has activated an additional 604 troops, comprising 12 armed security platoons. These platoons will deploy to various traffic crossovers along the Rio Grande River to support Operation Wrangler, and each platoon will be accompanied by a Border Patrol agent and a local police officer.

    Local, state and federal agencies involved in Operation Wrangler include up to 90 sheriffs’ offices and 133 police departments; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Texas Department of Transportation; the National Park Service; the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the Texas Civil Air Patrol; the Texas Cattleman’s Association; Texas Military Forces; Texas Task Force 1; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Immigration & Customs Enforcement; the Railroad Police; the U.S. Transportation Security Agency; the U.S. Postal Service; the U.S. Coast Guard; and the University of Texas Center for Space Research.

    The Border Security Operations Center (BSOC) within the State Operations Center will serve as a central point of coordination for state, local and federal officials during Operation Wrangler. Joint Operational Intelligence Centers (JOIC) will be positioned throughout the state to provide real-time information and intelligence in support of these surge operations. Five of the JOICs will be located at Border Patrol offices along the border and the others will be located along smuggling corridors around the state.

    “We have proven that our strategy of increasing manpower and patrols along the border decreases criminal activity,” Perry said. “We will continue to apply these methods of success across the state, and I will continue to urge Congress to meet its long-term responsibility by providing the necessary resources and manpower to secure our nation’s borders.”

    Operation Rio Grande, launched February 2006, reduced all crime by an average of 60 percent in sheriff-patrolled areas of border counties during five surge operations last year. Perry will ask the Texas Legislature for an additional $100 million during the legislative session to sustain border security efforts.

    “This effort is about making our border more secure and our neighborhoods safer,” Perry said. “This unprecedented effort is just the beginning of a long-term commitment to rid our state of drug trafficking and human smuggling.”

  • Van Praag's Appeal to County: Don't Renew the Hutto Lease

    Statement delivered by Jane Van Praag to County Commissioners Court, Jan. 23, 2007. Also, see Daniel K. Lai’s report on the meeting for the Taylor Daily Press.

    We understand that the contract between Williamson County and the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) is up for renewal on January 31.

    I am here to express my opposition to the renewal of this contract.
    It is a moral wrong to imprison children. It is morally wrong to imprison whole families with children without exhausting all the alternatives, which would allow families to stay together while ensuring immigrants attend their immigration hearing.

    Even Congress, when appropriating the money for this facility, stated: “The Committee expects DHS to release families or use alternatives to detention such as the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program whenever possible.” (House Report 109-079 – DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2006).

    I urge the Commissioners’ Court to hold ICE accountable and request that ICE prove it is complying with what Congress intended. We need to know if ICE has exhausted all of the alternatives to detaining these children and families before you renew this contract.

    There is only so much that can be done to the T. Don Hutto facility to make it more humane. At some point it becomes clear that it’s still a prison, with bars on the doors, where people are not free to go where they choose, and where children can only go outside at an assigned time.

    That is why I am asking you to invite ICE to explain in a public and transparent way why the alternatives to imprisoning families in this way are not being used, before you renew this contract for another year.

    If ICE needs more time than is available before the contract with CCA expires, I encourage you to extend the CCA contract for an additional 120 days only and give notice that you intend to terminate the contract with ICE unless ICE publicly explains what alternatives to prison they have tried and why they are not able to implement any of the alternatives to imprisonment.

    The voters of Williamson County deserve to know that the federal facilities in their county are operated consistent with what Congress intended.