Analysis: The case for big ideas in Texas government
Texas political leaders usually settle for caution. The big stuff is risky, but it’s also possible — and even inspiring — to see leaders ignoring the small stuff and aiming higher. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7bc442d98907b1a37b0ff7bbfcfe59a4/Moon%20Landing%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
-
![United States astronaut Buzz Aldrin salutes the American flag on the surface of the Moon after he and fellow astronaut Neil …]()
Credit: REUTERS -
Fact-checking Texas leaders’ claims about Operation Lone Star
As reporters investigated Gov. Greg Abbott’s border initiative, they repeatedly found situations in which Abbott and Department of Public Safety officials cited accomplishments that lacked crucial context or did not match reality. Here are a few examples. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8a1caf578289b49e64eb158dc898762/20220427%20rhetoric%20v%20reality.jpeg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by John Whitlock for ProPublica/Texas Tribune/The Marshall Project. Source images: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune; Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune, Jordan Vondehaar for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on whether Biden can toss Trump’s “remain in Mexico” policy
The Biden administration had ended the policy that forced 70,000 migrants to wait in Mexico. But a federal judge in Texas forced the administration to restart the program in December. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a24a87b76f9f92cdfbcf856de86f71bc/MPP%20SCOTUS%20Rally%20EL%20TT%2033.jpg)
![A person holds a sign during the Safe Not Stranded rally at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 2022. T…]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge plans to temporarily force Biden administration to keep rule that turns migrants away at the U.S.-Mexico border
A Louisiana judge will grant a restraining order that will keep in place Title 42, a pandemic-era health rule that the federal government had planned to drop next month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/69b5b30b57f0212f94ae9ac7516a11ef/Reynosa%20Migrants%20JG%20TT%204.jpg)
![Academia de Belleza Jefferson, a local beauty academy, gives free haircuts to migrants in the tent city set up in Plaza de l…]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Body of Texas National Guard member found after he was washed away while saving drowning migrants
Spc. Bishop E. Evans, a 22-year-old field artilleryman from Arlington, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2019. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/241a551e1ae696f2f0ac3fcfc91cc58d/Bishop%20E%20Evans%20TT.jpg)
![Texas Army National Guard Specialist Bishop E. Evans.]()
Credit: Social media -
Some Texas Republicans push for Gov. Greg Abbott to use state personnel to deport migrants
Declaring an “invasion” under the U.S. Constitution is an incendiary idea that would spark immediate court challenges given that immigration law enforcement is a federal responsibility. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f8615fcccdca97fda2b24ec2582fda00/Del%20Rio%20DPS%20Surge%20MG%20TT%2032.jpg)
![National Guard soldiers stand guard near the U.S. and Mexico border in Del Rio on July 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
National Guard soldier missing after trying to save two migrants in Rio Grande
The soldier, Bishop E. Evans, went missing Friday morning after he jumped into the river near Eagle Pass. On Sunday, the Texas Military Department reported the search was still ongoing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ccf7f15de123d9e1d19fd2378e8078b4/Shipping%20Container%20Wall%20CS%20TT%2024.jpg)
![A row of shipping containers and razor wire placed on the banks of the Rio Grande River by Gov. Greg Abbott to form a makesh…]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
Texas sues to block Biden administration from lifting Title 42, a pandemic-era health rule used to expel migrants
Texas has led the legal fight against the Biden administration’s immigration policies, filing numerous lawsuits that have led to judges overturning or altering those policies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0774eda302e9588017837f4fe3d984ba/Reynosa%20Migrants%20JG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A child runs through the tent city set up in Plaza de la República. Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. May, 29 2021.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Video: Texas produce industry will feel long-term impacts of Gov. Greg Abbott’s vehicle inspection program
In this video, see the impact of Abbott’s increased border inspections on produce importers, fruit stand vendors and truck drivers on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9066aac48f0fd841f7af08694d7ca4a7/McAllen%20Inspections%20JG%20TT%2013-2.jpg)
![Employees at the McAllen Produce Terminal Market. McAllen, TX. April 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
What did Greg Abbott’s border inspections turn up? Oil leaks, flat tires and zero drugs
The governor ordered troopers to thoroughly inspect every commercial truck coming from Mexico in what he described as an effort to stop illegal drugs and migrants from being smuggled into Texas. His order for increased state inspections led to snarling delays in trade between the two countries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b331861373798796f16aa79431fde9c/McAllen%20Inspections%20JG%20TT%2045.jpg)
![Mechanics fix trucks at the inspection station near the Pharr International Bridge. Pharr, TX. April 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Texas has spent billions of dollars on border security. But what taxpayers got in return is a mystery.
Since 2005, Texas Govs. Rick Perry and Greg Abbott have launched a multitude of widely publicized and costly border initiatives, which usually kicked off during their reelection campaigns or while they were considering bids for higher office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/261df31974cff8f46ecefc5226af097b/202204xx%20ols%20border%20ops.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Photo illustration by John Whitlock for The Texas Tribune/ProPublica/The Marshall Project -
Beto O’Rourke carefully threads needle on border policy as Democrats grapple with the issue
For Democrats, especially in Texas, tackling border issues is difficult on the campaign trail as the party is not in agreement about various policies. O’Rourke has had to distance himself from President Joe Biden’s border policies, while going after Gov. Greg Abbott’s. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28ba372c0c63d06869de88d99aed7dab/Beto%20Covid%20Roundtable%20EG%20TT%2020.jpg)
![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke holds a press conference after holding a COVID-19 roundtable in Mission on …]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
In McAllen, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border inspections meant late deliveries, rotten produce and lost business
The delays caused by the state’s inspections are the latest blow to farmers and produce businesses in the Rio Grande Valley recovering from the pandemic and losses from last year’s winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f06171a87b77acb3a1e22289170568c/McAllen%20Inspections%20JG%20TT%2025.jpg)
![Eladio Corder sorts through mixed quality jalapenos at Trinidad Produce at the McAllen Produce Terminal Market. McAllen, TX.…]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A week of chaos for trade at the border after Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Uriel about the fallout from Abbott’s decision to do security checks on every commercial truck at the border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a3c5f84c6889d070092ffaf023dfa8fe/TribCast%20-%20April%2015%20TT.jpg)
![Hundred of semi-trucks are seen at a standstill at the Ysleta Port of Entry, on April 12, 2022, in Juarez, Mexico. Truck dri…]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott ends inspections that clogged commercial traffic at U.S.-Mexico border for more than a week
The deals Abbott made with three of the four Mexican border governors don’t include any new security measures south of the border. Abbott threatened to restart the inspections if Mexican states don’t slow migration to Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c082d74aa9cc6cb8557647b4f73854c0/Juarez%20Bridge%20Blockade%20IPA%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Hundreds of semi trucks headed southbound into Mexico are seen at a standstill at the Ysleta Port of Entry, Tuesday, April 1…]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Top U.S. border official says busing migrants out of Texas complicates federal officials’ jobs
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner said Gov. Greg Abbott isn’t coordinating with the agency as Texas sends migrants far from their immigration proceedings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/60c4d756409e92f619970ea4179eff50/Bused%20Migrants%20Union%20Square%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Illuminated by a video camera's light, Cordalis, who is from Venezuela, held her child in a chair in Union Station in Washin…]()
Credit: Bryan Olin Dozier/REUTERS -
Gov. Greg Abbott announces deals with two more Mexican governors to halt Texas’ vehicle inspections at the border
The announcements come a day after Abbott reached a similar deal with Nuevo León’s governor, who agreed to add security at a major border bridge in exchange for an end to increased vehicle inspections by Texas troopers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/48c8c8f6453f63a5bba4d4219de3b04b/Abbott%20Chihuahua%20Presser%20EG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott and Chihuahua Gov. María Eugenia Campos Galván announced an agreement, on April 14, 2022, aimed at halting …]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas National Guard replaces commander overseeing Gov. Greg Abbott’s troubled border mission
The brigadier general steps down from commanding Operation Lone Star’s military efforts after five months. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/69314c6e33b986025ae3734814e20c93/Roma%20Border%20Crossing%20SP%20TT%201250.jpg)
![Asylum seekers who have just crossed the border are led by a National Guard troop to be apprehended by Customs and Border Pr…]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott eases state inspections at one commercial bridge, as trade remains snarled across the border
The move provides little relief as trade between Texas and Mexico is hampered along the border because of Abbott’s order. The Colombia bridge is just one of 13 commercial crossings between the two countries and the only one connected to Nuevo León. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/37dac19c6efceebb8d86e341c5b5000f/Abbott%20Nuevo%20Leon%20Presser%20KGB%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference with Nuevo León Gov. Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda on April 13, 2022.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune -
First bus of migrants arrives in Washington, D.C., from Texas under Abbott’s new controversial plan
About 30 people from Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua traveled to the U.S. capital as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s new plan in response to the end of Title 42. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b8032a5e0e6103263a07dc03cee79be/Cruz%20Peoples%20Convoy%20EL%20TT%2018.jpg)
![The U.S. Capitol is seen from a tattered U.S. flag on a truck part of the People’s Convoy in Washington, D.C. on March 10, 2…]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune