Vol. 72, Issue 4
Fe b r u a r y 1 7 - Fe b r u a r y 2 4 , 2 0 2 6
Est. 1981
THE PAISANO
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community
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attorney general sues county for immigration legal assistance By Amanda Fuentes Contributor
T
exas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Bexar County, the Bexar County Commissioners Court and county officials. Paxton accused the county of using taxpayer dollars to fund the Immigration Legal Services program, which he alleged was unlawful. In November of last year, Paxton filed a lawsuit against Harris County after the approval of Item No. 25-6481, which allocated county funds to five private nonprofit organizations that provide legal support to immigrants. In the Harris County case, Paxton argued that the county was violating the Texas Constitution’s Gift Clause, which states that public funds cannot be gifted to individuals or private organizations without a clear public benefit — claiming that this was a misuse of funds that provided no public purpose. Paxton appealed the denial of a preliminary injunction. This case is on a litigation track and set for December 2026. Bexar County faces similar accusations from Paxton proceeding the passage of Item 102, which allocated county funds to American Gateways — a private nonprofit organization that, similarly to the Harris County nonprofits, provides legal support to immigrants facing deportation. Paxton argues that Item No. 102 is a violation of the Texas Constitution’s Gift Clause and that it “serves no public purpose and instead constitutes unconstitutional grants of public funds” in the petition. The state is now seeking a temporary restraining order, a temporary and permanent injunction to stop the funding under Item No. 102 and a declaration that funds under
Item No. 102 and its related allocations violate the Texas Constitution. Since the ILS program’s launch in 2024, Bexar County’s immigration legal defense funding has been debated, with county officials and the relevant nonprofit representatives arguing that the funds help protect dueprocess, reduce unnecessary detention and help prevent family separation. During t h e December
2025 renewal debate for the funding, those in favor focused on families, children and helping residents navigate immigration court proceedings. The Paisano requested a statement from Bexar County Commissioner Grant Moody in response to Paxton suing Bexar County for utilizing taxpayer dollars for immigration legal assistance . Moody provided the following statement. “In December, I voted NO for the third time on authorizing the approval and execution of an amendment to an agreement for immigration legal services with American Gateways. Not only is this an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars, but during the discussion at Commissioners Court, it could not be clearly explained whether there are any limitations on who would be eligible to receive these services—including whether violent or repeat offenders could access the funding—which is completely unacceptable,” Moody stated. “Unfortunately, earlier this month we learned that the Attorney General’s Office filed a similar suit against Bexar County. The vast majority of San Antonians do not want their tax dollars spent defending violent or repeat offenders from deportation. It is a terrible policy and political malpractice. Now, not only are we wasting taxpayer money on this bad policy, but also on legal fees to defend it.” All five county commissioners for San Antonio are being sued in their official capacity in this case.
Opportunities, awards, events happening on campus By Hallie Lott Web Editor
The Student Government Association held its second meeting of the semester, highlighting future events around campus, updates from the UT System Student Advisory Council and awards that the UT San Antonio community can apply for. UT San Antonio’s UT System Student Advisory Council Co-Chair Aydan Villarreal provided a brief update on what the council discussed and recommended to the UT System Board of Regents this past year to improve student quality of life at UT System campuses. Representatives focused on furthering students’ competency and mastery of artificial intelligence for undergraduate and graduate students. The joint councils also emphasized experiential learning and recommended that the Board of Regents provide more opportunities for all degree programs. Villarreal did not clarify what specific opportunities would be offered. The main focus for recommendations involved affordability and food insecurity for UT San Antonio’s undergraduates. The council examined the expectation of what affordability should be for college students, and it recommended that the UT System schools survey the college campuses to examine the level of food insecurity occurring at each campus as a first step to solving the issue. June Medelez, who was standing in for the vice president, spotlighted the University Life Awards, which recognize outstanding students, student organizations, staff and faculty for their contributions to the quality of student life at UT
San Antonio. Applications opened on Feb. 16 and will close on March 27 at 11:59 p.m. The Awards Ceremony will be on April 30 at 6 p.m. Associate Dean of Students Jessica Dawson then brought attention to several events set to occur on Main Campus. Sweet Treat Tuesday will take place on Feb. 17 from 3-5 p.m. Students can grab a beignet at the event to prepare for RowdyGras. Sweet Treat Tuesday will be held in the HEB Student Union, Room 1.210. The San Antonio Rodeo Excursion will take place on Feb. 19. Students can visit the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo by paying a $20 fee that covers transportation, entry and an Earl Keen concert. Check-in at the Convocation Center is at 4 p.m., and the group will leave for the rodeo at 4:30 p.m. The link to purchase tickets is here: https://rb.gy/2tlq39. The first Market Fundraiser of the spring semester will occur on Feb. 19 from 2-5 p.m. at the Central Plaza. Registered student organizations will have the opportunity to sell the items they make to other UT San Antonio students at the event. Dia en la Sombrilla, UT San Antonio’s fiesta celebration event, will occur on April 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sombrilla. Applications for student organizations to register for a booth are open now until Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. on RowdyLink. SGA will be hosting a Field Day for student organizations on Feb. 27 at the Rec Field from 1-6 p.m. The next SGA meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the HEB Student Union in the Travis Harris Rooms 2.202-2.212.
Carlos Craig/The Paisano
Deputy Speaker of the Senate Ankita Das presents at SGA meeting.
Student body officers lead their second Student Goverenment Association meeting of the semester to discuss future opportunities and University Life Awards.