It’s not my job to tell people what they should think about the border; their own perspectives, politics and histories should shape their perceptions. But it is my job to tell people what’s happening here, and I’m lucky to have the added context of actually being from here.
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.
Posted in
Immigration
Border Patrol says apprehensions in the Rio Grande Valley have already surpassed all of 2018
Less than seven months into the fiscal year, the Rio Grande Vally sector has apprehended more than 164,000 migrants.
Posted in
Immigration
Temporary immigration detention facilities to open in El Paso, Rio Grande Valley
Construction of the facilities, commonly referred to as a “tent cities” is a response to the ongoing crush of migrants, mainly from Central America, who continue to cross into Texas after traveling through Mexico.
Posted in
Politics
Long delays at border bridges bring anxiety for businesses as Holy Week begins
This week is one of the busiest shopping seasons on the border, but after hundreds of federal agents were diverted from international bridges to help with a surge of migrants, retailers and other businesses are fretting about how hours-long wait times will impact them.
Posted in
Immigration
After judge halts “remain in Mexico” policy, hundreds of migrants sent across border seek answers
Asylum seekers and immigrant advocates celebrated the temporary halt of a controversial Trump policy forcing migrants to wait in Mexico until their hearing dates, but the court ruling doesn’t address those already sent across the border.
Posted in
Immigration
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from sending asylum seekers to Mexico
The Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as “Remain in Mexico,” was expanded to include the El Paso port of entry last month
Posted in
Immigration
As migrant surge continues, El Paso’s safety net is feeling the strain
Federal agencies have redirected agents to deal with a growing wave of migrants, and the president is threatening to close the border. Meanwhile, local shelters face a daily dilemma: 500 to 600 new arrivals who need somewhere to go.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Julián Castro, Beto O’Rourke say they’ll release their tax returns, but timing unclear
After President Trump bucked tradition and withheld his tax returns during his successful 2016 campaign, Democrats vying for their party’s 2020 nomination are vowing to make such information public.
Posted in
Immigration
Federal government to accelerate Customs and Border Protection redeployment amid migrant surge
Customs and Border Protection has been authorized to reassign more officers to respond to the surge at the U.S.-Mexico border, and more asylum seekers will be sent to Mexico to await court hearings.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Beto O’Rourke kicks off presidential campaign in Texas
The former congressman and U.S. Senate nominee held the first of three Saturday launch rallies in his hometown of El Paso, and planned gatherings later in the day at Texas Southern University in Houston and at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
