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September 14, 2025

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People take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at M. O. Campbell Educational Center in Houston. Almost 1800 people from 115 countries became citizens during the ceremony.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Trump's overhaul of immigration: From 'thought police' tests to arming agents.

The Trump administration is making it harder for immigrants to follow legal pathways to U.S. citizenship, advocates say — and the changes are sparking concern among immigration and civil rights groups.

New U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policies include vetting for "anti-American" ideology, expanding the definition of "good moral character," reviving neighborhood interviews for citizenship applicants, creating a new class of armed agents and barring civic groups from helping new citizens register to vote at naturalization ceremonies.

The administration says the changes are meant to prevent fraud and ensure only those who align with U.S. ideals receive immigration benefits. But immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations argue the policies are overly broad and subjective — and could intimidate immigrants seeking to follow the law.

Julián Aguilar breaks down the changes — and why some say they mark a sweeping shift in U.S. immigration enforcement.

Fire destroys southeast Houston church, injures two firefighters.

HFD Deputy Chief Douglas Harrison said because of how big the fire was, the church's building sustained significant damage and that it was a "total loss."

Houston ISD teacher removed 'to protect the culture' is reassigned to a different campus.

A Durham Elementary School teacher abruptly reassigned to "home duty" will teach first grade at Davila Elementary School.

Pro architects battle for top prize at Galveston Sandcastle Festival.

Thousands packed Galveston's East Beach as 27 teams, most pro architects, battled for the Gold Bucket at Galveston's Sandcastle Festival.

Cyclists 'bare as you dare' at Houston World Naked Bike Ride.

Dozens rode in Houston's World Naked Bike Ride, from the East End to Montrose to Downtown, to protest for more bike infrastructure.

The government wants to give newborns $1,000. Here's how it works.

Newly launched $1,000 "Trump Accounts" could be worth nearly half a million by the time today's babies reach retirement age, according to Serae Wealth of The Woodlands.

This Texas school district was named the best workplace for educators by Forbes.

This northwest Harris County school district was also listed as the 33rd top employer statewide.

⚾ Sports

Astros: The offense erupted early to beat the Braves again, keeping Houston's pace in the AL West race. Plus: Jose Altuve exited the game with a foot issue. 📬 Sign up for Inside Pitch with Matt Kawahara.
Aggies: Marcel Reed escaped pressure to throw a TD pass to Nate Boerkircher with 13 seconds left as No. 16 Texas A&M upset No. 8 Notre Dame.
Longhorns: Arch Manning had another below-average outing, but Texas was able to dispatch heavy underdog UTEP.
Texans: Jonathan M. Alexander's five thoughts ahead of Houston's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Plus: Breaking down the matchups and an injury report ahead of Monday Night Football. 📬 Sign up for Texans Insider.

🗣️ Opinion

At a time when Texas A&M has come under attack over LGBT content in classrooms, it pains me to say that this topic drove my alma mater of Baylor University to make its own self-inflicted wound, writes Hal Wingo in a guest column.
Economic unease and slipping approval ratings for GOP leaders mirror conditions that shook Texas politics eight years ago, writes Austin American-Statesman's John C. Moritz.

Dove season opens today in Texas' South Zone — one of the state's top hotspots, and especially so this year.

"South Texas is always strong, but I think this year is going to be especially good," said Owen Fitzsimmons, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's webless migratory game bird program leader.

According to TPWD's annual survey, the Tamaulipan Brushlands of South Texas recorded all-time highs in both mourning and white-winged dove numbers since the survey began in 2008.

The estimates are eye-widening:

5.75 million mourning doves — up 16% from last year and 90% above the long-term average.

3.77 million white-winged doves — up 41% from last year and 75% above the long-term mean.