Julián Aguilar
reports on politics and border affairs from the Texas-Mexico border. His focuses include immigration reform and enforcement, voter ID, international trade, border security, and the drug trade. His political coverage has included local, legislative and congressional races in Texas, as well as local and national elections in Mexico. Before joining the Tribune, he was a freelance writer for the Fort Worth Weekly; a government and crime reporter for the Laredo Morning Times; and a political writer for the Rio Grande Guardian. A native of El Paso, he has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas and a master's degree in journalism from the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism at the University of North Texas.
Recent Contributions
Enlarge
photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bobby Fiend
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Tuesday that a new border security task force is coming to the U.S.-Mexico-border as part of President Obama's executive action on immigration.
Full Story
Construction site on the Mexico side of the new Brownsville rail bridge.
After delays and bickering over who should pay for security measures, a new rail line connecting Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley is expected to open in February.
Full Story
Greg Abbott talks to reporters at the Texas Capitol on Nov. 5, 2014, the day after he was elected governor.
After the president doubled down on his promise to change the immigration system, Greg Abbott made his own vow: Expect a lawsuit from Texas. But some legal experts doubt Abbott can successfully challenge the president's order.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
President Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Aug. 4, 2014.
President Obama on Thursday said he will use his executive authority to grant millions of undocumented immigrants a work permit and a reprieve from deportation proceedings. Reactions from Republicans were swift and outraged.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Josh Denmark / CBP
Computer hackers and polygraph test failures have slowed hiring of 2,000 new Customs and Border Protection agents needed to help speed commerce through airports and border checkpoints.
Full Story
Texas Department of Public Safety officers patrol Anzalduas Park as part of Operation Strong Safety. Texas National Guard soldiers deployed to the area on Monday will help DPS in its mission, officials said.
The surge of state law enforcement on Texas’ southern border will continue through August if an $86 million request made by the state’s top leaders is approved next month by budget writers.
Full Story
Protesters block a rear entrance to Texas Governor Rick Perry's office on the second floor protesting HB12 the so-called "sanctuary cities" bill winding its way through the Senate on May 25, 2011.
Legislation reviving the fight over "sanctuary cities" was filed Monday by Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry.
Full Story
Border Patrol officers outside a bus in Presidio.
Federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants in Texas jails longer so they can possibly be deported have dropped by the thousands, according to report released Wednesday.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
The Rally for Immigration Reform on Congress Avenue near the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2013.
With the midterm elections behind him, President Obama said he was ready to take executive action to prevent many undocumented immigrants from being deported, which analysts said could benefit Texas' agricultural, construction and service industries.
Full Story
Democratic U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, left, was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the CD-23 contest.
For the third time in as many elections, CD-23 is changing hands, this time going back to the GOP after challenger Will Hurd ousted incumbent Democrat Pete Gallego.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Ivan Pierre Aguirre
Construction workers are seen as two women walk along the road on an early October morning in Guadalupe Distrito Bravo.
As officials in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez celebrate a drop in crime in the Mexican border city, residents in nearby Guadalupe, Chihuahua continue fleeing to Texas in droves amid continuing violence and corruption.
Full Story
State Rep. Jose Manuel Lozano, R-Kingsville, (l) faces Democrat Kim Gonzalez in HD 43.
In his second race after switching to the GOP, incumbent state Rep. J.M. Lozano thinks HD-43 voters are more comfortable with his party choice. But Democratic challenger Kim Gonzalez isn't going to let it go.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst delivering his concession speech after losing his re-election bid on May 27, 2014.
Months after Texas beefed up its border security presence in the Rio Grande Valley, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants to know what it would cost to expand the projects through 2016.
Full Story
An international bridge connecting Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.
Nine months into a federal pilot program created to reduce wait times at international ports of entry, operators of bridges on the Texas-Mexico border say it appears to be accomplishing that goal.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Ivan Pierre Aguirre
Parishoners attend a Friday service at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Paso.
Catholicism remains the religion of choice for most people in El Paso, but membership in the church has declined. How the church adapts to modern societal beliefs will be reflected by what happens to its membership there.
Full Story