Immigration

Federal judge blocks policy that allowed Gov. Greg Abbott to ban refugees in Texas

by Julián Aguilar

The decision comes just days after the Texas governor became the first state leader to opt out of the program. The move drew a harsh rebuke from Texas' Catholic bishops. Full Story 

Analysis: Texas Catholic bishops are critical, but in the pews, immigration views are split

by Jim Henson and Joshua Blank

Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to opt out of the federal refugee program is unpopular with Catholic bishops, but might find more favor among Republicans in Catholic congregations. Full Story 

Program offering legal help to asylum seekers stuck in Mexico launches in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez

by Julián Aguilar

Only about 2% of people seeking asylum have access to attorneys, but those with legal representation are much more likely to obtain protections. Full Story 

Analysis: Conservatism, without George W. Bush’s modifier

by Ross Ramsey

The governor's decision to opt out of the federal refugee resettlement program marks a shift in the state's Republican establishment over the last two decades. Full Story 

The Future of the Border Region

by Texas Tribune Events Staff

Join us in El Paso for a day full of conversations on the economic, political and cultural significance and evolution of the border region as part of our 10th Anniversary event series. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott, a Catholic, draws criticism over new refugee ban from Texas' Catholic bishops

by Julián Aguilar

It’s not the first time Abbott has disagreed with the religious groups over state policy. He was also criticized after he made 2017's Senate Bill 4, an omnibus, state-based immigration enforcement bill, a legislative priority. Full Story 

Abbott tells Trump administration Texas won't participate in refugee resettlement

by Julián Aguilar

The decision comes after more than 40 other governors said they would opt in to the federal program. Full Story 

Appeals court rules Trump can use nearly $4 billion in military funds for border wall

by Julián Aguilar

The White House called the initial decision to block on the use of military funds for the border wall "illegitimate" and hailed the appeals court decision as a victory. Full Story 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott remains quiet on whether the state will opt out of refugee program

by Julián Aguilar

It's still unclear if Abbott will join nearly 40 other governors who have decided to stay in the program. Full Story 

Analyzing 2019: Unrest on the Texas-Mexico border

by Ross Ramsey

The immigration and humanitarian crisis continues at the Texas-Mexico border, where things have persistently been made worse by harsh government policies. Full Story 

The Best of The Texas Tribune's photojournalism of 2019

by Miguel Gutierrez Jr. and John Jordan

Here's a look back at our favorite photographs by freelancers, fellows and our new photography department. Full Story 

The best of the Tribune's storytelling with data and graphics in 2019

by Darla Cameron

The Tribune's data visuals team published more than 100 graphics about Texas politics and policy this year. Here's a look back at some of our favorites. Full Story 

The Trump administration knew migrant children would suffer from family separations. The government ramped up the practice anyway.

by Susan Ferriss, Center for Public Integrity

Internal emails and reports illustrate a chaotic attempt to track traumatized migrant children seized from parents. Full Story 

Watch: In a Guatemalan town where migrants cross, Trump's policies have hit hard

by Miguel Gutierrez Jr. and Jay Root

In La Técnica, the boats used to zip migrants across the river into Mexico, as well as hotels, restaurants and money changers had a brisk business. But now business has dried up. Full Story 

1,000 migrants a day made this tiny Guatemala town a smuggler’s paradise. The business has dried up.

by Jay Root

Two Trump administration initiatives have driven down traffic, locals say: the “remain in Mexico” program requiring people to wait out their asylum cases south of the border, and the threat to slap tariffs on Mexico unless it cracked down on migrants crossing through it. Full Story 

TribCast: Big new names enter Texas congressional races

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Alexa, Patrick and Abby about some recognizable names in Texas congressional races, racist texts from a GOP county official and a leaked Republican Party memo. Full Story 

Mexican border cities: too dangerous for Americans but safe enough for migrants, U.S. government says

by Julián Aguilar

The State Department has issued warnings advising against travel to Mexican border states and the president has considered labeling cartels as terrorist organizations. But Trump officials continue to downplay the violence in cities where "remain in Mexico" is in place. Full Story 

Federal judge blocks Trump plan to spend $3.6 billion in military funds on border wall

by Nick Miroff, The Washington Post

The administration had planned to use the Pentagon funds to build 175 miles of steel barriers. Full Story 

ACLU files suit to stop immigration pilot programs

by Julián Aguilar

The programs deny asylum seekers access to adequate counsel before key interviews with immigration officers, the lawsuit alleges. Full Story 

Report: Crimes against migrants waiting in Mexico to seek U.S. asylum continue to climb

by Julián Aguilar

More than 630 violent crimes against asylum seekers affected by the Migrant Protection Protocols program have been reported in Mexico, according to a new report by Human Rights First. Full Story