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Hispanic neighborhood in Texas wrongly targeted by Republican conservatives

Right-wing media and politicians make baseless claims about Colony Ridge being a violence-wracked drug trafficking hub

Gina Hernández and her son Noah at a neighborhood event in Colony Ridge, Texas; October 3, 2023.Photo: David J. Phillip (AP) | Video: AP
El País

Colony Ridge, a sprawling neighborhood 40 miles north of Houston, is wrongly portrayed by conservative Republicans as a hotspot for illegal migrants. Baseless allegations fueled by conservative media outlets falsely link it to drug trafficking. Surprisingly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis support this narrative. Colony Ridge has become a popular residential area for two main reasons: the abundant availability of land and the need to escape the high crime rates found in other Houston neighborhoods.

Trey Harris, a prominent Colony Ridge developer, has emerged as a central figure in the controversy. Harris has donated generously to Abbott’s campaigns, raising concerns about his motives. In response to all the criticism, he has invited authorities to visit the neighborhood and witness the reality firsthand.

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