House Bill 20 by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would test the boundaries of the stateโs ability to enforce immigration law, which courts have historically ruled falls under federal purview.
Immigration
In-depth reporting on border issues, policies, communities, and the impact of immigration across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy offers warm reception to Biden border proposal as Democrats recoil
The Austin Republicanโs tacit approval only adds fuel to the fire for Texas Democrats recoiling at the report that the Biden administration could detain asylum-seekers.
UTEP gave research role to former Border Patrol official accused of sexual harassment
Tony Barker received an unpaid fellowship to make him โless riskyโ for other universities to hire him, emails show.
Texas heat-related deaths reached a two-decade high in 2022 amid extreme temperatures
A Texas Tribune analysis of state data found that at least 279 people in Texas were killed by heat last year, and a large portion of those deaths were likely migrants who died after crossing the border.
Asylum-seekers who cross the border illegally to be deported under new Biden administration rule
The new rule is designed to push migrants to seek asylum at official border crossings or through other legal channels rather than crossing the border illegally and then requesting asylum.
Texas border Republican accuses GOP of using immigration crisis for politics
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales said in an interview with the Washington Examiner that his fellow Republicans benefit politically from a sustained border crisis. The attack indirectly alluded to U.S. Rep. Chip Royโs contentious border security bill.
Mexican political parties are courting voters living in Texas ahead of Mexicoโs presidential election
Mexican migrants in Texas could play a role in choosing the countryโs next president next year, and Mexican political leaders are setting up outreach networks โ including one in Dallas โ to court expat voters.
U.S. Supreme Court cancels arguments over Title 42, the pandemic-era policy to quickly turn away migrants
The case is expected to become moot in May when the Biden administration lifts the nationโs COVID-19 emergency order. Once that order lifts, Title 42 is expected to automatically end.
Texas Military Department says it needs $460 million more to keep border mission afloat this year
State officials have repeatedly had to move money from other departments to keep Gov. Greg Abbottโs multibillion-dollar border mission running this year.
Texas Senate leaders signal intent to spend big on border security
The state has spent $4 billion on border initiatives in the past two years, including $40 million to bus migrants out of Texas into Democrat-led cities.


