/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Julian_gt6QdKD.jpg)
Julián Aguilar reported for the Tribune from 2009 to 2021, most recently on politics and on the Texas-Mexico border. He focused on immigration reform and enforcement, voter ID, international trade, border security, and the drug trade. His political coverage has included local, legislative and congressional races in Texas, as well as local and national elections in Mexico. Before joining The Texas Tribune, he was a freelance writer for the Fort Worth Weekly, a government and crime reporter for the Laredo Morning Times, and a political writer for the Rio Grande Guardian. A native of El Paso, he has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas and a master's degree in journalism from the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism at the University of North Texas.
A decision by the White House to reduce the number of National Guard soldiers on the country’s border with Mexico has provoked a fierce but expected reaction from Gov. Rick Perry, a longtime advocate for more boots on the ground in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BorderPatrol-lnspection.jpg)
A sour economy, increased border law enforcement and skyrocketing smuggling fees are keeping more would-be crossers at home. But you wouldn't know it from the presidential campaigns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BorderFenceImage.jpg)
A rematch in Northeast Texas and challenges around the state mark this week's news on the campaign trail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/merritsimpson-ar.jpg)
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released more interim charges he wants Senate committees to consider before the upper chamber gavels in January 2013. And it should be a surprise to few that there's a sustained focus on the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ab7403138e9739a727dde4189488e689/BD%20INC%20Dewhurst%2007%202011)
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released a list today of border security-related issues he wants Senate committees to consider in advance of the 2013 legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cdd0fb647b53ebec9a6b195689a9980f/BD%20INC%20Dewhurst%20181%20CMS%202011)
In the wake of an illegal immigrant's suicide last week, Texas groups urging passage of the DREAM Act are aiming to make sure what happened to Joaquin Luna doesn't happen to other students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/IAmJoaquin.jpg)
Here's something to be thankful for: Our festival website is updated with an audio slideshow for each of the panel discussions. Peruse the panels listed in the program or watch video albums from all of the subject tracks on our Vimeo site. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Tribfest-Montage-1.jpg)
Responding to "stonewalling" allegations by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, Homeland Security officials said they are spending hours compiling immigration arrest data. If it doesn't please the congressman's committee, DHS could be held in contempt. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/LamarSmith-DHS.jpg)
Mayors of cities along the Texas-Mexico border intent on protecting the images of their communities are drawing vastly different conclusions about a proposal that would bring in equipment from overseas war zones to bolster border-security efforts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PredatorDrone.jpg)
Jan. 1, the date the controversial voter ID law is scheduled to take effect, is fast approaching. But a decision from the federal government on whether the bill will disenfranchise voters is not. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/MustShowIDToVote.jpg)