Rio Grande Valley officials welcome federal lawmakers' visits but keep expectations low
Local leaders say the many members of Congress who have visited the region recently won't glean a clear perspective of border life in a one-day visit. Full Story
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Julián Aguilar
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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.
Past Contributions
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![The Texas-Mexico border fence near Donna.]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva / The Texas Tribune -
Trump administration directs Border Patrol, ICE to expand deportations
The Trump administration on Tuesday moved one step closer to implementing the president’s plans to aggressively rid the country of undocumented immigrants and expand local police-based enforcement of border security operations. Full Story
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![GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump rallied supporters at Gilley's in Dallas on June 16, 2016.]()
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A week after Austin ICE raids, immigrants and their supporters march in protest
A week after immigration agents launched surprise raids in Austin and surrounding areas, hundreds marched downtown in protest, saying fear has engulfed the Central Texas immigrant community. Full Story
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![Klevelin Lion chants at the front of the "Day Without Immigrants" march on Congress Avenue, Feb. 16, 2017, in Austin, TX.]()
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If Texas passes anti-"sanctuary" bill, El Paso County could face lawsuits
A 2006 settlement between an El Paso County resident and his local sheriff's department could come back and haunt the border town if the Texas Legislature passes its anti-"sanctuary cities" bill. Full Story
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Is an ICE detainer legal? Texas AG and immigration attorneys disagree
After Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton insisted in a letter last week that Texas' anti-"sanctuary cities" bill would survive a legal challenge, immigration attorneys are trying to convince members of the Legislature that he's wrong. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton testifies how his faith is getting him through his recent legal woes during a speech to a gathering at the Republican Party of Texas gathering in Dallas May 14, 2016.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune/Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Senate approves anti-"sanctuary" legislation, sending bill to House
The Republican-controlled Texas Senate gave its final stamp of approval on Wednesday to a controversial bill that would gut funding from local and state entities that don’t enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, answers questions regarding Senate Bill 4, better known as the anti-"sanctuary cities" bill, on Feb. 7, 2017 in the state Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Hours before Senate vote, Texas Attorney General calls controversial immigration bill legal
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to ease concerns over whether a measure that would punish "sanctuary cities" and campuses could be successfully challenged in court. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke at a May 25, 2016, news conference announcing a lawsuit filed against the federal government over rules for transgender bathrooms in public schools.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate committee advances anti-sanctuary cities bill
After hearing more than 16 hours of testimony, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-2 along party lines early Friday morning to advance a bill that would punish local government entities and college campuses that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials or enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![Critics of Senate Bill 4, a bill banning sanctuary cities, protest at the Texas Capitol as the bill is scheduled to be debated before the Senate State Affairs committee on Feb. 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Ahead of Thursday hearing, Texas Senate adds muscle to anti-sanctuary city bill
Senate Republicans have updated their bill banning sanctuary cities in Texas to cover college campuses and expand potential punishments for local entities that choose to not enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![Sen.Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, continues debate with Sen. Kirk Watson on HB3994 an abortion reform measure on May 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Trump suggests large tax on Mexican imports to pay for border wall
The Trump administration announced Thursday it intended to implement a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a coming border wall. An official appeared to walk back the statement later that afternoon. Full Story
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![Now-President Donald Trump is shown on Jan. 28, 2016, speaking to a group of veterans at Drake University during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune