Customs and Border Protection officials said on Monday that the agency’s proposed reduction in staffing has been put on hold after reviewing the 2013 budget the president signed last month.
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
Demographics
Narco Cinema Finding Loyal Audience in Austin
Austin has become a growing market for Mexican narco cinema, hastily made films inspired by the cartels. The videos are popular in Austin partly because of the city’s increasing population of Hispanic immigrants and Texas’ proximity to Mexico, where the movies are made.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Number of Deferred Action Applications on the Decline
After peaking in September, applications for deferred action have dropped off dramatically. Immigration attorneys think most eligible undocumented immigrants are in a wait-and-see mode amid the federal immigration reform debate.
Posted in
Politics
Democratic Strategist Has Big Wins, Little Patience
After successfully leading the bruising campaigns for two state senators and a state representative, Terrysa Guerra, an unassuming Democratic strategist, has emerged as a secret weapon for her party.
Posted in
Demographics
Cornyn Demands Hearing on Unauthorized Immigrants’ Release
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Thursday demanded that more information be released regarding the government’s decision to release hundreds of unauthorized immigrants from immigration detention centers in Texas.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bill Adds Protections for Those Who Film On-Duty Officers With Phones
A state Senate bill aims to give extra protections to people who film on-duty police officers with their smartphones or other devices. The author, Sen. Craig Estes, says the measure addresses charges that could be filed as retribution.
Posted in
Economy
Gallego to GOP: Sequester Hurts Border Security, Economy
U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego is taking his GOP colleagues to task on sequestration. In a letter, the freshman congressman tells border hawks they can’t be for the continued sequester and for increased border security at the same time.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Immigration-Related Bills Poised to Spark Debate
When it comes to immigration-related legislation, this session is far different from the one two years ago. But several bills could still stir some heated debate once House committees take up the measures in the coming weeks.
Posted in
Politics
Lawmakers Back New Mechanism to Fund Port Improvements
Republicans and Democrats from Texas’ congressional delegation have come together to file legislation that would allow for public-private partnerships to fund port infrastructure improvements and staff increases.
Posted in
Energy
Lawmakers Say Mexico Falling Short on Its End of Water Treaty
A decades-old treaty that mandates how Mexico and the U.S. share water from rivers is once again the genesis of growing frustrations from U.S. landowners and lawmakers.
