The El Paso “wall” — a steel bollard fence — is a reminder that the White House is doing what it can to make good on one of President Trump’s signature campaign promises.
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 agent had arsenal in home, attempted “suicide by cop,” officials say
Juan David Ortiz waved his phone as if it were a weapon, officials said Monday, adding that they can’t rule out the possibility they’ll find more victims.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Border Patrol agent accused of “serial killing spree” in Laredo
Juan David Ortiz, an intel supervisor for the Border Patrol, has been accused of killing four women, including one transgender woman, and kidnapping a fifth woman, who escaped and alerted law enforcement.
Posted in
Immigration
Border Patrol apprehensions of families increased 38 percent in August
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson attributed the spike, in part, to smugglers and traffickers exploiting immigration laws.
Posted in
Immigration
Federal government to greatly expand Tornillo shelter for unaccompanied minors
The shelter will grow to 3,800 beds. It will now stay open through at least the end of the year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Posted in
Immigration
After ICE raid in North Texas, immigrants face uncertain futures
A week after one of the largest immigration raids in recent history, undocumented immigrants have found a network of volunteers to help them. A local church was transformed into a relief center within 24 hours of the raid, which ended with 159 arrests.
Posted in
Immigration
Federal judge denies Texas’ request to halt DACA — for now
But the judge said Texas and the other states suing could likely prove that DACA causes the states irreparable harm.
Posted in
Economy
How excluding Canada in Trump’s new trade deal could hurt Texas
Texas sees more than $40 billion in total trade with Canada every year. Canada’s potential exclusion from any new U.S. trade deal could result in the nation implementing costly tariffs that would hit Texas business, a trade expert says.
Posted in
Families Divided
ACLU claims ICE still detaining some asylum-seekers for no reason despite court order
A U.S. district judge last month granted a preliminary injunction preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from denying parole to asylum-seekers without an individual determination as to why. On Tuesday, the ACLU said it’s still happening.
Posted inState Government
Just a shot away? Ciudad Juárez residents fear new cartel war may be coming
For residents of this gritty border city who survived the drug cartel war that raged here just seven years ago, headlines about an upswing in violence are getting harder to ignore.
