By BJ Austin, KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – The Texas Senate has begun debate on a bill that gives police officers more power to ask people they detain about their citizenship status.
Many Texas law enforcement agencies discourage their officers from asking about citizenship and immigration status. The so-called sanctuary cities bill would ban local governments and agencies from adopting such policies.
Critics say the bill will be used to harass Latinos. Supporters say the measure is needed to help police catch illegal immigrants who may commit crimes.
Gov. Rick Perry had made the issue one of his top priorities in the regular session but it was blocked by Senate Democrats. If the bill passes the Senate Tuesday night, it will go to the House, which previously approved a similar version.
Flight returns after bird strike during takeoff
An American Airlines flight with 127 people aboard returned to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for an emergency landing after striking a flock of more than 20 birds during takeoff.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports the MD82 aircraft taking off for Norfolk, Va., "sustained multiple bird strikes on departure" at 6:15 p.m. Monday. FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford says the aircraft returned and made an emergency landing without injuries to passengers or crew.
Lunsford said inspectors found dents in the radar dome on the nose of the aircraft, as well as to the leading edge of its right wing. He says a sweep of the runway collected more than 20 bird carcasses.
The aircraft was taken out of service for repairs, and the passengers Norfolk on a different plane two hours late.
North Texas Raid On Gang Members
North Texas Immigration and Customs officials say a gang roundup over the past few days netted 67 arrests. Half of the arrests were in Arlington and Fort Worth. Other arrests were in Dallas, Irving, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Lewisville and Mesquite.
The roundup targeted foreign-born gang members, but two thirds are now U.S. citizens. . They range in age from 15 to 54. Two women were among those rounded up.
Gangs represented include: the Aryan Brotherhood, the Crips, and MS 13. Agents also seized five guns, 23 thousand dollars in cash and an assortment of drugs.
Polygamist leader Jeffs' trial to begin July 25
The bigamy and sexual assault trial of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs is set to begin July 25.
A West Texas court on Tuesday denied defense motions to further delay the case, and to remove the judge presiding over it.
Lawyers for Jeffs, the ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had argued for more time to prepare their case, and said that state District Judge Barbara Walther exhibited body language that biased jurors during trials of other sect members.
But presiding District Judge John Hyde of Midland said Walther wouldn't be recused.
Walther then returned to the bench and denied defense calls for further delays.
She also ruled that the case will be heard in San Angelo rather than more-remote Eldorado, Texas.