Texas Senate approves spending nearly $2 billion on border security
Proponents of House Bill 9 denounced the Biden administration’s approach to border security, saying the state had no choice but to step in to ramp up enforcement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/459f052ba35208ae0b857c15237c0cca/Border%20Wall%20VC%20TTPP%20TT%2040.jpg)
-
![Construction of the border wall close to Mendoza’s ranch La Grulla on Dec. 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Verónica G. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune/ProPublica -
Texas House approves additional $2 billion for border security as state moves to build border wall
The bill would nearly triple border security funding from the last biennium. The legislation needs one more vote of approval from the House before moving to the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ef523e33d7fa135b8180f581c27df14/Del%20Rio%20DPS%20Surge%20MG%20TT%2043.jpg)
![A portion of the newly-erected border fence that is being constructed by the state on private property in Del Rio on July 23…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Despair and optimism: Texans in Congress welcome Afghan refugees to the state, disagree on blame for tragedy in Kabul
Looking relieved but exhausted, 1,200 Afghan refugees arrived this week at El Paso’s Fort Bliss. Meanwhile, Texans remain on the ground in an increasingly dangerous Afghanistan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/06636cf174a9a58a11fac2914c218dbb/Afghan%20Refugees%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia while en route to military facilities in the U.S…]()
Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via REUTERS -
Revival of “remain in Mexico” policy could have deadly consequences for asylum-seekers, advocates warn
The Biden administration says it will continue its legal fight against the revival of a Trump-era policy that requires asylum-seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are pending. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05a9755ff4b8f438b92c5cb92314ece4/Roma%20Border%20Crossing%20SP%20TT%201527.jpg)
![Customs and Border Protection officers apprehend asylum seekers who recently crossed the border in Roma on Aug. 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Supreme Court says Biden administration must comply with ruling to restart “remain in Mexico” program for asylum-seekers
The “remain in Mexico” policy known as Migrant Protection Protocols requires many asylum-seekers to wait outside the United States for their cases to be decided. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c58ee7b50922614fc8d9af3303e4ace3/Roma%20Migrants%20CBP%20EG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Migrants crossing the border in Roma receive instructions and are apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Aug. …]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House committee approves bill to spend an extra $2 billion on border enforcement
A border sheriff told lawmakers that some landowners who are afraid of migrants crossing their property have asked him, "When can I shoot?" Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9b98b1981e38612c56df52d65cf003ca/Del%20Rio%20Border%20Wall%20MG%20TT%2027.jpg)
![A portion of an unfinished border wall stands near the U.S. and Mexico border in Del Rio on July 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Asylum-seeking families and children made up nearly half of July border crossings: “This is young mamas and daddies trying to save their families”
Migrant crossings on the U.S.-Mexico border reached a 21-year high in July. This video takes you to the epicenter: Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, where more crossings are happening than in any other region in the country. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1c80f38ca2248be5620e735ff4c57777/Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe%20RGV%20SP%20TT%2033.jpg)
![Asylum seekers exit the respite center across the street from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission on Aug. 3, 20…]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
As Gov. Greg Abbott beefs up border enforcement, some locals want very different kinds of help
Amid the heated rhetoric around an increase in migrants, people on opposite ends of the Texas-Mexico border see the problems — and solutions — differently. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc366bb961e0c1a58d470dbf00f1a2c5/Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe%20RGV%20SP%20TT%2019.jpg)
![A man gazes up at a stained glass window in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church while exiting the church with other asylum…]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas, the bellwether state
A number of the top issues facing the country — mask mandates, voting, immigration — have something in common: Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d138b50265250a74f507b432ba45c4df/Texas%20Capitol%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The state Capitol building on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
An 18-year-old Venezuelan was among the first set free from Texas’ new jail for migrants. No one knew what to do with him.
After more than three weeks in jail, a trespassing charge against the man was dropped because state troopers shouldn’t have arrested him under Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security push. He wound up in bureaucratic limbo for days as federal agencies passed the responsibility for resolving his immigration status. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6da32019038eebca0e61fc411226cb93/Del%20Rio%20DPS%20Surge%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![A Texas Department of Public Safety vehicle is stationed near the U.S. and Mexico border in Del Rio on July 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas judge’s order to revive “remain in Mexico” policy misinterprets immigration law, migrant advocates say
Advocates say the policy that forced 70,000 non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are pending will create dire conditions for migrants if it’s revived. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2b038b4db16ce613e42e1b502f86c75f/McAllen%20Migrants%20SP%20TT%2065.jpg)
![Asylum seekers disembark a bus in front of Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen on Aug. 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Fort Bliss in El Paso could receive thousands of Afghan refugees as Taliban topples government, Pentagon says
The Taliban has taken control of Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city, which led to a crush of civilians at the Kabul airport desperate to leave the country on Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/65148bb835b81d76832faa0f74e3309c/Afghanistan%20Kabul%20Airport%20TT.jpg)
![Women with their children try to get inside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS -
Texas to spend $25 million on 2-mile concrete barrier amid Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for a state-funded border wall
The barrier in Eagle Pass is the first glimpse into how much a state-funded border wall could cost. But Abbott’s office says it’s a “concrete barrier” that is separate from his border wall push. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ad1cb2718cf1675d9805adf0efe6b87/Eagle%20Pass%20Border%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A Customs and Border Protection vehicle is located at the entrance to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Feb. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge extends order blocking Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive for law enforcement to pull over vehicles transporting migrants
Abbott instructed state troopers to pull over civilian drivers transporting migrants who may be infected with COVID-19 and seize vehicles if they don’t comply. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7a30f0dbf40573ee1cf87ae7cb92faf8/Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe%20RGV%20SP%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Asylum seekers walk to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission during a procession led by Father Roy Snipes on Aug.…]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
The first migrants arrested in Gov. Greg Abbott's border crackdown have served their time. Federal officials will decide what happens next.
The Texas governor has derided federal immigration policy as "catch and release." But unless federal authorities now take them into custody, the migrants Abbott ordered state troopers to arrest could soon be freed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3ed2fa4b6a3edaeb12e137d04ec6c2a6/Del%20Rio%20DPS%20Surge%20MG%20TT%2036.jpg)
![A group of migrants walks onto a Customs and Border Protection vehicle after being apprehended near the U.S. and Mexico bord…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dozens of Texas facilities housing child migrants to operate without licenses amid fight between Gov. Greg Abbott and Biden administration
The situation is the result of Abbott ordering the licenses be lifted, followed by a state agency allowing the shelters to continue to operate. Full Story
Credit: REUTERS/Go Nakamura -
TribCast: The Texas Legislature’s first special session of 2021 ends Friday. What happens next?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Cassi, Jolie and Patrick about the law enforcement presence at the border and Democrats’ and Republicans’ next moves as the special session wraps up. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c1cbfc9ed5498190922f9d357ea3b05/TribCast%20Aug%204.jpg)
![Legislators on the House floor in Austin watch as Texas Democrats in Washington testify before a House Oversight and Reform …]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge temporarily blocks Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to pull over vehicles with migrants, which drew racial profiling concerns
The U.S. Justice Department sued Abbott and Texas after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland called the order “dangerous and unlawful.” Full Story
![A group of migrants walks onto a Customs and Border Protection vehicle after being apprehended near the U.S. and Mexico bord…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Groundhog Day in Texas
A lot of the news from the last few days — about the Legislature, about COVID-19 and about immigration — has a real déjà vu quality to it. And there’s a good reason for that. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/856cbbaba33fe79be6c79c53691c9827/McAllen%20Catholic%20Charities%20Migrants%20TT%2019.jpg)
![A migrant child waits with his family in front of the Catholic Charities RGV Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen on July …]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Justice Department sues Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's order for law enforcement to pull over vehicles with migrants
On Wednesday, Abbott issued the order, allowing Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to reroute civilian vehicles back to their origin point or a port of entry, or seize the vehicles, if police suspect the driver is transporting migrants who have COVID-19. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2860dc82220d886f85b81eb023698a93/McAllen%20Catholic%20Charities%20Migrants%20TT%2006.jpg)
![A group of migrants wait to board a charter bus in front of the Catholic Charities RGV Humanitarian Respite Center in McAlle…]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e887644f276b8c1b0f3874596a4db2e/RGV%20Migrants%20Minors%20REUTERS%20TT)