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How much Trump's deportation push could cost Texas taxpayers

A new calculator estimates how much Texans will pay for Trump's deportation push.

News

Texas could pay an estimated $23 billion toward President Trump&#x27;s mass deportation push — about $2,500 per taxpayer — according to a calculator from the nonprofit, nonpartisan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Economic Policy Institute" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47042253.45/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXBpLm9yZy9kZXBvcnRhdGlvbi1jYWxjdWxhdG9yLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66Bb4c9cd23" data-vars-content-id="176f1c28-18b1-4f97-a69d-263603fe9c95" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportation push could cost Texas taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47042253.45/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXBpLm9yZy9kZXBvcnRhdGlvbi1jYWxjdWxhdG9yLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66Bb4c9cd23" target="_self">Economic Policy Institute</a> (EPI).Why it matters: The estimate fuels debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="176f1c28-18b1-4f97-a69d-263603fe9c95" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportation push could cost Texas taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> should instead fund other public priorities, such as health care or housing.

BOGO Houston Theater Week returns

See ballets, plays and concerts, including "Romeo and Juliet" and Disney's "The Little Mermaid."

Things to Do

Houston Theater Week starts Monday, offering buy-one-get-one-free ticket deals to nearly 400 shows during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026-27 theater season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/27/houston-2026-2027-theater-season" data-vars-content-id="a4f8e3e7-ad66-4e24-83f5-0de9cec30503" data-vars-headline="BOGO Houston Theater Week returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/27/houston-2026-2027-theater-season" target="_self">2026-27 theater season</a>. Why it matters: The fifth annual weeklong event gives Houstonians discounted access to 21 organizations — from major productions at Performing Arts Houston to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/05/aerial-roots-theatre-houston-south-asian-stories-nice-indian-boy" data-vars-content-id="a4f8e3e7-ad66-4e24-83f5-0de9cec30503" data-vars-headline="BOGO Houston Theater Week returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/05/aerial-roots-theatre-houston-south-asian-stories-nice-indian-boy" target="_self">local shows</a> at 4th Wall Theatre Company — showcasing theater, opera, dance, music and more across the city.

Houston bakery let diners name their price

More than 100 restaurants across 13 countries are taking part in the Pay What You Can experiment.

Food and Drink

A Houston bakeshop will let diners decide their own bill Wednesday, part of a global experiment in making dining out more accessible.Why it matters: Dining can easily become a special-occasion expense. For one day, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Preemo&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.preemosbakeshop.com/" data-vars-content-id="34e34574-c3a2-4bca-a462-85649815c725" data-vars-headline="Houston bakery let diners name their price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.preemosbakeshop.com/" target="_blank">Preemo&#x27;s</a> will remove that price barrier.

Houston's first LGBTQ+ emergency shelter for teens to open

The shelter will give queer homeless and runaway teens ages 15 to 17 a temporary place to stay.

Houston is opening its first LGBTQ+-affirming emergency shelter for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/26/houston-begins-2026-annual-homeless-count" data-vars-content-id="f0f2a53f-b100-47b5-b8be-7a4e82a31635" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s first LGBTQ+ emergency shelter for teens to open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/26/houston-begins-2026-annual-homeless-count" target="_self">homeless</a> teens to stay temporarily. Why it matters: Teens have few shelter options, especially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="queer-friendly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/07/09/leaving-texas-isn-t-so-simple-for-lgbtq-residents" data-vars-content-id="f0f2a53f-b100-47b5-b8be-7a4e82a31635" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s first LGBTQ+ emergency shelter for teens to open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/07/09/leaving-texas-isn-t-so-simple-for-lgbtq-residents" target="_self">queer-friendly</a> ones, when they leave or are kicked out of an unsafe home, Grace Place executive director Courtney Sellers tells Axios.

New Houston theater company spotlights South Asian diaspora

Aerial Roots Theatre Company debuts with the romantic comedy "A Nice Indian Boy."

Houston has a new theater company focused on showcasing South Asian <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diaspora stories" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/07/10/houston-fastest-growing-demographics" data-vars-content-id="b7f94248-f541-4f6d-90a3-01701d8613ff" data-vars-headline="New Houston theater company spotlights South Asian diaspora" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/07/10/houston-fastest-growing-demographics" target="_self">diaspora stories</a>. Why it matters: Aerial Roots Theatre Company wants to expand representation on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston stages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/27/houston-2026-2027-theater-season" data-vars-content-id="b7f94248-f541-4f6d-90a3-01701d8613ff" data-vars-headline="New Houston theater company spotlights South Asian diaspora" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/27/houston-2026-2027-theater-season" target="_self">Houston stages</a> to reflect the richness of the modern South Asian community in the U.S., from queer love stories to multigenerational family dynamics.

How well do you know 713?

Can you claim 713 as your identity? Take our quiz and find out.

The 713 area code has grown into a symbol of Houston itself, so much so that we celebrate it on July 13. Why it matters: 713 is a point of pride, thanks to hometown artists like<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Lil&#x27; Keke " data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-city-life/2025/07/houston-713-day-lil-keke-hip-hop-event" data-vars-content-id="066bf3e6-6d6c-4555-856b-934f4ae1c3d3" data-vars-headline="How well do you know 713?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-city-life/2025/07/houston-713-day-lil-keke-hip-hop-event" target="_blank"> Lil&#x27; Keke </a>who helped cement that identity, making the numbers synonymous with H-Town.

New MFAH exhibit showcases Picasso, Matisse and Klee

The exhibit pulls back the curtain on the links between the artists and the collectors who helped shape modern art history.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Museum of Fine Arts, Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/08/06/mfah-to-extend-friday-hours" data-vars-content-id="64738fe9-6030-41dd-9af7-322669bc6888" data-vars-headline="New MFAH exhibit showcases Picasso, Matisse and Klee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/08/06/mfah-to-extend-friday-hours" target="_self">Museum of Fine Arts, Houston</a>&#x27;s new exhibit showcases a selection of modern masterworks by renowned artists of the postwar European avant-garde.Why it matters: On the heels of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Frida Kahlo exhibit " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/15/inside-mfahs-frida-kahlo-exhibition-making-of-an-icon" data-vars-content-id="64738fe9-6030-41dd-9af7-322669bc6888" data-vars-headline="New MFAH exhibit showcases Picasso, Matisse and Klee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/15/inside-mfahs-frida-kahlo-exhibition-making-of-an-icon" target="_self">Frida Kahlo exhibit </a>closing, MFAH is bringing in another blockbuster exhibit — this time with about 100 works from Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti, Paul Cézanne and other 20th-century artists.

Asia Society Texas Center is offering free admission this month

It's the first time the Asia Society is having free admission for the entire heritage month.

Asia Society Texas Center is offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free admission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="17ef7571-2482-42e2-bdfb-463cff2eca02" data-vars-headline="Asia Society Texas Center is offering free admission this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/things-to-do" target="_self">free admission</a> all of May in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first time <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the museum" data-vars-click-url="https://asiasociety.org/" data-vars-content-id="17ef7571-2482-42e2-bdfb-463cff2eca02" data-vars-headline="Asia Society Texas Center is offering free admission this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://asiasociety.org/" target="_blank">the museum</a> has been free for the entire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heritage month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/05/18/what-to-watch-aapi-heritage-month" data-vars-content-id="17ef7571-2482-42e2-bdfb-463cff2eca02" data-vars-headline="Asia Society Texas Center is offering free admission this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/05/18/what-to-watch-aapi-heritage-month" target="_self">heritage month</a>, after previously only offering more limited free promotions, Stephanie Todd-Wong, vice president of communications, tells Axios.

Houston fuels Texas high-dollar art sales

The art boom is a byproduct of Texas' growing population and more ultra-wealthy families moving in.

The art market is thriving in Texas, with an increasing number of transactions over $1 million, per a report by Bank of America and ArtTactic.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="art boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/15/inside-mfahs-frida-kahlo-exhibition-making-of-an-icon" data-vars-content-id="989d4eae-0509-4e0e-960a-897a2fd53925" data-vars-headline="Houston fuels Texas high-dollar art sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/15/inside-mfahs-frida-kahlo-exhibition-making-of-an-icon" target="_self">art boom</a> is a byproduct of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing population " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/02/houston-harris-population-growth-2025-census-immigration-policy" data-vars-content-id="989d4eae-0509-4e0e-960a-897a2fd53925" data-vars-headline="Houston fuels Texas high-dollar art sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/02/houston-harris-population-growth-2025-census-immigration-policy" target="_self">growing population </a>and more ultra-wealthy families moving to the state, Bank of America Dallas president Jennifer Chandler tells Axios.

Arthouse Houston aims to save Garden Oaks Theater

A 1947 Houston theater is on the brink of demolition — unless a nonprofit can raise millions in time.

Business

A local nonprofit is racing to save a nearly 80-year-old Houston theater from demolition, with plans to turn it into a neighborhood arts hub.Why it matters: The Garden Oaks Theater could become another loss in a city with a track record of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tearing down its historic buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/27/1915-red-book-reveals-about-black-houston" data-vars-content-id="f25f1616-150f-4354-aa81-399192e7b091" data-vars-headline="Arthouse Houston aims to save Garden Oaks Theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/27/1915-red-book-reveals-about-black-houston" target="_self">tearing down its historic buildings</a>, Ian Druke, the assistant director at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arthouse Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://arthousehtx.org/garden-oaks-theater" data-vars-content-id="f25f1616-150f-4354-aa81-399192e7b091" data-vars-headline="Arthouse Houston aims to save Garden Oaks Theater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arthousehtx.org/garden-oaks-theater" target="_blank">Arthouse Houston</a>, tells Axios.

What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston's Black history

The book is still used today to trace family histories and understand how Black communities helped shape Bayou City.

More than a century ago, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Houstonians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/27/remembering-forgotten-black-towns" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/27/remembering-forgotten-black-towns" target="_self">Black Houstonians</a> documented what they built in &quot;The Red Book of Houston,&quot; which is still used today to trace family histories and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="understand how Black communities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/28/green-book-sites-houston" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/28/green-book-sites-houston" target="_self">understand how Black communities</a> helped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shape Bayou City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/29/houston-memorial-park-memorial-grove-ww1-camp-logan" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/29/houston-memorial-park-memorial-grove-ww1-camp-logan" target="_self">shape Bayou City</a>.Why it matters: The &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Red Book of Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://digitalcollections.rice.edu/Documents/Detail/the-red-book-of-houston-a-compendium-of-social-professional-religious-educational-and-industrial-interest-of-houstons-colored-population/372740" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://digitalcollections.rice.edu/Documents/Detail/the-red-book-of-houston-a-compendium-of-social-professional-religious-educational-and-industrial-interest-of-houstons-colored-population/372740" target="_blank">Red Book of Houston</a>&quot; is a rare, detailed snapshot of Black Houston in 1915 — told through the people who lived it, and what they wanted others to know about them, researchers and archivists tell Axios.

Tender and funny, "English" at the Alley hits close to home

"English" shows what many non-native English speakers — or anyone learning a new language — wrestle with.

Alley Theatre is running the Pulitzer Prize-winning play &quot;English&quot; for the next couple of weeks — and it&#x27;s beautiful, funny at times and both heartwarming and heartbreaking.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="play" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/28/what-to-know-about-the-2025-2026-theater-season" data-vars-content-id="db69e910-dd58-4bad-9aa7-71ad9afcee53" data-vars-headline="Tender and funny, &quot;English&quot; at the Alley hits close to home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/28/what-to-know-about-the-2025-2026-theater-season" target="_self">play</a> delves into the core of what many non-native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="English speakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/trump-executive-order-english-official-language" data-vars-content-id="db69e910-dd58-4bad-9aa7-71ad9afcee53" data-vars-headline="Tender and funny, &quot;English&quot; at the Alley hits close to home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/trump-executive-order-english-official-language" target="_self">English speakers</a> — or anyone learning a new language — wrestle with: the cost of shifting identities and living between two tongues.

The "Heated Rivalry" obsession lives on in Houston

Houston fans find community in "Heated Rivalry" rewatch parties.

The viral hockey romance show that aired a couple of months ago still has fans swooning.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heated Rivalry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-houston-85fec44c-31da-4600-a198-b33fd76f7b67#story4" data-vars-content-id="c3df6e2a-450b-479d-8c7e-7cceb7799538" data-vars-headline="The &quot;Heated Rivalry&quot; obsession lives on in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-houston-85fec44c-31da-4600-a198-b33fd76f7b67#story4" target="_self">Heated Rivalry</a>,&quot; the book series turned TV hit on HBO, has sparked real-life connections — and Houstonians are showing up for it.

Free pop-up weddings this Valentine's Day

From bookshelves to City Hall steps, Houston couples are making Valentine's Day their wedding day.

This Valentine&#x27;s Day, many Houston-area couples are saying the big &quot;I do&quot; at free pop-up weddings.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="microweddings continue to gain traction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/small-wedding-price-benefits" data-vars-content-id="8203252d-8d27-47a1-b09a-c7b6558fefb8" data-vars-headline="Free pop-up weddings this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/small-wedding-price-benefits" target="_self">microweddings continue to gain traction</a>, these one-day elopement venues offer an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/06/12/houston-weddings-price" data-vars-content-id="8203252d-8d27-47a1-b09a-c7b6558fefb8" data-vars-headline="Free pop-up weddings this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/06/12/houston-weddings-price" target="_self">affordable</a>, lower-stress way to get married, keeping weddings light and fun.