AltWeeklies Wire
Asylum Deniednew

Unlike refugees from other troubled countries, only a fraction of Mexicans seeking U.S. asylum are accepted – no matter how horrible their wounds or their stories.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel and Patrick Michels |
08-27-2010 |
Immigration
Tags: Mexico, Immigration
Plea Bargains Go on Behind Victims' Backs, Without Their Approvalnew

They wanted to tell their side of the story to a jury, and made it clear to the Harris County prosecutor that they didn't want to settle for a plea deal. If a jury let Craig Washington off, so be it, but they liked their chances in court.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
03-02-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Plants Along the Houston Ship Channel Loose Tons of Toxic Gases and Face Little Penaltynew

Out of seven toxic leaks, only the smallest received an enforcement citation from the state's regulatory agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It penalized the plant $20,900 but then reduced the fine to $8,000.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-22-2009 |
Environment
Was Roland Carnaby a Con Man or a Super Spook?new
Either way, he wasn't supposed to meet his death on a Houston highway in a high-speed chase with the cops.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
09-22-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Hispanics Delivered by Border Midwives Are Having Trouble Getting U.S. Passportsnew
David Hernandez just wants his passport, but the State Department won't give it to him. There is a history of midwife deception along the border, so the U.S. government has to be sure applicants are not using fraudulently filed birth certificates. Thus far, Hernandez has not convinced them that his is the real McCoy.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-23-2008 |
Sex
In Texas, Restitution for Victims is Nothing but a State-Sanctioned Scamnew
More than 90 percent of Texas parolees walk away without paying off what the state ordered them to.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-09-2008 |
Crime & Justice
There Are No Honest Players Among Human Smugglersnew
Illegal immigrants are subject to pain and death at the hands of their "rescuers" if they don't pay up in full.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
08-12-2008 |
Immigration
The DREAM Act Might Be Dead, But These Kids' Hopes Are Notnew

They are American in everything but name. They can go to college in Texas and improve themselves. Doesn't matter. At the end of the day, they're just illegal immigrants without social security numbers or futures.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
06-24-2008 |
Education
Doctors vs. Parents: Who Decides Right to Life?new
Following surgery, Sabrina Martin's condition went south. And then, her family says, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital set about arranging for her demise.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
05-06-2008 |
Children & Families
Chess Masters at UT-Brownsvillenew
An open-admissions university has become a national powerhouse in the collegiate game.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
04-15-2008 |
Recreation
The DA So Tough on Crime, a Suspect Goes Freenew
Chuck Rosenthal doesn't make deals. And that's why Jesus Salazar is living the free life in Venezuela while a teenage girl lies dead, stabbed 26 times.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
01-08-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Priscilla Slade and the Texas Southern University Threenew
Spurred on by a fellow student's death, Oliver Brown, William Hudson and Justin Jordan ran a gauntlet on their way to bring down a president.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-04-2007 |
Education
Tags: Education
Tango Blast: Not Your Father's Prison Gang of Oldnew
This is a new breed putting a fresh twist on an old idea, permeating the social fabric like no such group ever has before -- members proudly advertise their affiliation all over MySpace and YouTube, and people who have never even been to prison wear the gang's tattoos and symbols.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
08-21-2007 |
Crime & Justice
Share and Share Alikenew

Wayne Stroman's got a timeshare deal for you -- and a thousand other suckers.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
07-10-2007 |
Economy
Tags: Economic Issues