News & Commentary

For the third time in ten years, reports of alleged sexual assault by staff on detained youth at state secure juvenile facilities have surfaced. It was inexcusable the first time, and it is inexcusable now.

Two short months ago, our city suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters in its 180-year history. But the calamities Hurricane Harvey rained down upon us are the same as those homeless Houstonians face every single day. And they are no less deserving of our empathy, creativity and resources than are the victims of Harvey's floods.

Civilian review panels need power, independence, transparency and funding to hold police accountable for misconduct.

In South Texas, Rosa Maria and Jane Doe face the cruel realities of the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

The Texas House bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana has made it to the all-important House Calendars Committee, the last step before it is debated before the full Texas House of Representatives.

They used the bathroom at a ball game and got arrested. The community asked why. Turns out they’d been spied on by a government camera. But the Border Patrol told a different story.

In Texas, adulthood usually means 18. Seventeen year olds cannot vote, serve in the military, or buy lottery tickets. There is an exception, though: kids are automatically charged, jailed, and imprisoned as adults the day they turn 17, even for the most minor, nonviolent offenses.

Ten years ago, Willacy County officials made a catastrophic mistake. And they’re about to make it again.

This op-ed was originally published in the Houston Chronicle.