2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Immigration Track

The Immigration track at The 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on Hispanic voters, the border and the Legislature, border communities, and immigration reform. Plus, there was a one-on-one conversation with Antonio Garza, the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Scroll down to listen to audio from those sessions. 

The "Unlocking the Hispanic Vote" panel, moderated by Texas Tribune reporter Alexa Ura, featured Hispanic Republicans of Texas co-founder Juan Hernandez; state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; state Reps. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, and Celia Israel, D-Austin; and Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos.

The "Border and the Legislature" panel, moderated by Houston Chronicle reporter Brian Rosenthal, featured state Reps. César Blanco, D-El Paso, Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, and Larry Phillips, R-Sherman; and Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.

The "Border Reality Check" panel, moderated by (McAllen) Monitor Editor Carlos Sanchez, featured McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz and former Rio Grande City Mayor Ruben Villarreal.

Antonio Garza, the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, was interviewed by Wall Street Journal reporter Dudley Althaus.

The "Remember Immigration Reform?" panel, moderated by Texas Tribune Border Bureau Chief Julián Aguilar, featured Latino Center for Leadership Development executive director Rebecca Acuña; former Texas Workforce Commissioner Hope Andrade; Texas Association of Business CEO Bill Hammond; state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio; and National Immigration Forum executive director Ali Noorani.