As Congress looks to significantly boost funding for the U.S. Border Patrol as part of a new immigration bill, our friends at the Center for Investigative Reporting look at the impact of the police buildup at a West Texas checkpoint. The Sierra Blanca checkpoint along I-10 was set up to catch major traffickers and immigrants who entered the country illegally. But the checkpoint now busts thousands of unsuspecting Americans a year for low-level drug possession – including some famous musicians.
Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.
Information about the authors
Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.