/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/James_Barragan_TT.jpg)
James Barragán is a politics reporter for The Texas Tribune with a focus on accountability reporting. Prior to joining the Tribune, he worked as a statehouse reporter for The Dallas Morning News and had previous stints at the Austin American-Statesman and The Los Angeles Times. In 2021, he was a finalist for the Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Reporting for his coverage of Texas politics during COVID-19. A Southern California native, he received his bachelor's degree in history from UCLA.
In July, Abbott authorized state law enforcement to transport migrants to ports of entry. It’s unclear how and why migrants are being detained, raising civil rights concerns and questions about whether the state is overstepping federal authority. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/693abbbc8152cb8f4cc6794075a92451/Migrant%20Return%20Eagle%20Pass%20SF%20TT%2010.jpg)
Democrats and abortion-rights supporters in Texas are energized by voters in Republican-dominated Kansas who on Tuesday resoundingly voted to keep the right to an abortion in their state constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a711cfe5220c78b4e952fabda6a4ff51/Kansas%20Abortion%20Rally%20REUTERS.jpg)
The state’s federally funded “More Narcan Please” program ran out of money in January, in part due to high demand. Advocates say Texas should invest more in the harm reduction effort. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d04c2f4df3830495868d8adfed78340b/Callie%20Crow%20Narcan%20BT%20TT%2019.jpg)
Some experts say the actions create little change in immigration enforcement. Others say they invite a legal battle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e534b01772f7a0a52bfe21d97c5159d/Migrant%20Return%20Eagle%20Pass%20SF%20TT%2014.jpg)
Immigration law enforcement is a federal responsibility. Abbott appears to be testing the limits of state authority by empowering state law enforcement to bring migrants to the ports of entry — stopping short of using state resources to expel migrants from the country. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/66f9fbc7848ffd70101ee423687c746a/Operation%20Lone%20Star%20VGC%2046.jpg)
Immigration law enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. In recent months, a fringe legal theory has found more mainstream supporters who are calling on state leaders in Arizona and Texas to deport migrants with state resources. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d9284ea9562acc18bb3c7569628b1f9c/Operation%20Lone%20Star%20VGC%2039.jpg)
To immigration experts, the astounding loss of life illustrates just how difficult it is to stem migration into the country, even as Abbott has spent the last year pouring billions of state dollars into securing the border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c093860a1932fff64f887a95314f5a4d/McAllen%20Inspections%20JG%20TT%2041.jpg)
Experts told The Texas Tribune that Thomas’ opinion signals an openness from the court to reconsidering other settled legal precedents related to rights the court has ruled are protected by the constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b729b9626f6fe8c2b29fe2acef31db8f/Clarence%20Thomas%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Jazmin Cazares, 17, was one of several family members of shooting victims and experts testifying before Texas lawmakers on Thursday. Her sister, Jackie Cazares, 9, was one of the victims of the school shooting in Uvalde. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e0f258c9818bfa8b42ce94b5391e563/House%20Homeland%20Cmte%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
New information released by law enforcement sources and the director of the Department of Public Safety tells a different story about police response to the shooting than Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a79027cc2afb8e3f17581cfc406a49f5/Robb%20Memorial%202%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)