A three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has once again ruled against the Obama administration’s controversial immigration program.
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.
Cuellar: New Border Crossing Stats Don’t Tell Whole Story
As the number of unaccompanied children apprehended on Texas’ southern border dropped by more than 40 percent in the 2015 fiscal year, a high-ranking border Democrat warns that the problem of illegal mass migration isn’t close to being solved.
Activists Want Action on Immigration Issues
While activists push Democrats to go softer on immigrants in local jails, conservatives are pressing Gov. Greg Abbott to act now on reforms targeting “sanctuary” policies in cities and counties.
Patrick Would Fast-Track Sanctuary Cities Bill
Aides to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, leader of the Texas Senate, say a bill cracking down on sanctuary cities would be fast-tracked in a special session. But so far Gov. Greg Abbott is resisting calls to convene one, meaning any reforms would be put on hold for more than a year.
Cattle Theft Still a Modern-Day Problem in Texas
Last week’s alert that more than 100 steer vanished from a farm in Waco didn’t surprise farmers and ranchers. In 2014, the total market value of stolen livestock and ranching equipment in Texas reached an nine-year high.
Revisit Starstruck, a Project on Texas’ Newest Space Race
SpaceX and Blue Origin have big — and sometimes secretive — plans for commercial space flight from South and West Texas. While some of the companies’ new neighbors are hopeful, others fear the effects on wildlife and small-town life.
Lawsuit Targets Detention Center Licensing by State
A coalition of immigrants’ rights and civil liberties groups have filed suit claiming Texas hastily created a new type of state license that might allow two controversial detention centers for illegal immigrants to remain open.
Starstruck: The Fights and Flights Behind Texas’ Commercial Space Race
A half-century after NASA began pursuing spaceflight from Houston, Texas has again become the center of an emerging space industry. SpaceX and Blue Origin plan to launch commercial rockets from Texas sites. But they haven’t won over their neighbors.
Judge Denies Emergency Relief in Birth Certificate Case
A federal district judge Friday declined to order Texas officials to institute a temporary fix so children of undocumented immigrants born in the United States can get their birth certificates while a lawsuit filed by their parents is being tried.
Bid to Ease Cuba’s Sanctions Turns to Texas
A Washington-based interest group is setting up shop in Texas to try and persuade lawmakers — and the people who usher them into office — to change their tone on U.S.-Cuba relations.

