About 60 detainees in the South Texas ICE Processing Center staged an uprising this week. Some detainees say fear of infection sparked the incident; Immigration and Customs Enforcement disputes that account.
Julián Aguilar
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.
Immigration attorneys worry ICE rules will take away needed medical supplies
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is requiring lawyers to wear personal protective equipment to detention facilities. That could keep the equipment out of the hands of medical personnel — or make it harder for lawyers to see their clients, some say.
Travel restrictions at U.S.-Mexico border have area businesses grappling with uncertainty
The potential collapse of cross-border commerce has added border store owners to the ranks of Texas restaurateurs and other small businesses who don’t know how they’ll be able to make ends meet.
To slow COVID-19, Trump administration closes southern border to nonessential travel
The border will be closed for all crossings other than commercial trade and specified reasons such as medical care and education.
Calls for Trump administration to release migrants from detention increase amid COVID-19 pandemic
Fear and anxiety within the immigrant community is spreading as detainees fear an outbreak of the new coronavirus in detention facilities.
Amid coronavirus concerns, Justice Department continues “remain in Mexico” hearings in immigration courts
It was business as usual Monday on the Migrant Protection Protocols docket in federal immigration courts, and groups that work in them are raising concerns about the risk to migrants and court staff.
Immigrant rights groups call on ICE to halt raids during coronavirus outbreak
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agency does not conduct enforcement operations at medical facilities “except under extraordinary circumstances.”
Airlines prepare for uncertainty after European travel ban
Demand for airline travel rebounded quickly after outbreaks of swine flu, SARS and MERS. But the new coronavirus, so far, is less predictable. And it’s not clear when airlines can expect to recover after Trump’s European travel ban takes effect.
Experts say COVID-19 could hurt Texas trade and border economy
From cross-border trade with Mexico to oil and gas exports, Texas could soon start feeling economic impacts as the virus spreads and affects global supply chains, trade experts say.
Trump administration awards $180 million for border barrier in Rio Grande Valley
The latest project will include a 30-foot-tall bollard wall, roads, lighting, cameras and other technology, Customs and Border Protection announced.



