A fundamental truth underlies the nation’s collective failure to stop illegal immigration and smuggling over the southern border: The United States demands the cheap labor and drugs.
Bordering on Insecurity
Throughout 2016, The Texas Tribune took a deep look at the issues of border security and immigration, topics never far from the headlines — or the presidential trail. The Tribune reported on the reality and rhetoric around issues like the removal of undocumented criminal offenders, the stemming of government corruption and the conditions many immigrants are fleeing to seek sanctuary in the U.S.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Risk of terrorists crossing U.S. border into Texas is real — but low
The number of illegal border crossers from far flung places— including countries deemed sponsors of terrorism — has been increasing, but they remain a small fraction of total border apprehensions.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Many border drug smugglers avoid prison
In two key counties, less than a quarter of the “high-threat criminals” arrested by Department of Public Safety troopers for felony drug offenses during the state’s border surge have been sent to prison.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Most border arrests by Texas troopers are not for drug smuggling
DPS has added more troopers to the border under the assumed objective that they’re going after drug and human smugglers. But most of their arrests are for drunk driving and misdemeanor drug possession.
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Bordering on Insecurity
With Trump in D.C., Texas might spend less on border
If President-Elect Donald Trump delivers on his promise to dramatically beef up security on the U.S.-Mexico border, leading Texas lawmakers say they might quit spending so much state tax money on it.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Immigrant ‘dreamers’ fear deportation nightmare under Trump
Some undocumented immigrants brought here as kids were granted a sort of legal status by President Barack Obama. They’re in a state of shock and panic now that Donald Trump has won the White House.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Migrants fleeing Central America endure long journey north
After crossing the Suchiate River into Mexico, migrants fleeing Central America depend on shelters and kindness as they head toward the United States. The Texas Tribune traveled to Mexico to chronicle their journeys. This story is part of our Bordering on Insecurity series.
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Bordering on Insecurity
U.S.-funded programs try to convince Central Americans to stay home
The United States is helping fund anti-gang initiatives and jobs programs in Central America, trying to decrease the flow of migrants heading north for the Texas-Mexico border.
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Bordering on Insecurity
In Mexico, complaints about undocumented immigrants taking jobs
In southern Mexico, locals say some migrants fleeing Central America are staying put instead of traveling on to the United States.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Mexico fights illegal immigration on its own southern border
Under pressure from the United States, Mexico has tried to cut down the flow of Central American immigrants passing through on their way to the southern U.S. border.