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Julián Aguilar reported for the Tribune from 2009 to 2021, most recently on politics and on the Texas-Mexico border. He focused on 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 Texas 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.
If President-Elect Donald Trump delivers on his promise to dramatically beef up security on the U.S.-Mexico border, leading Texas lawmakers say they might quit spending so much state tax money on it. Full Story
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Despite all the time Donald Trump spent bashing NAFTA while running, border leaders hope he'll soften his stance as campaign trail rhetoric cools. Full Story
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The shock of Donald Trump's presidential win was followed Wednesday by wariness and uncertainty as border residents wonder just how far he'll go to fulfill his campaign promises on immigration. Full Story
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Republican state Rep. Jose “J.M.” Lozano had a comfortable lead in his bid to return to Austin and represent the Coastal Bend’s House District 43. Full Story
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Trade has become an emotional hot-button issue this presidential election year, and some Texas lawmakers are worried about what that means for the future of the state's trade climate. Full Story
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In this Texas House race, the Democratic challenger calls herself "conservative" and the Republican incumbent was a Democrat until four years ago. Full Story
In southern Mexico, locals say some migrants fleeing Central America are staying put instead of traveling on to the United States. Full Story
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Only about 800 of the estimated 20,000 gang members in the Houston area belong to the MS-13, but police consider them a top-level threat to public safety in Texas. Full Story
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The author of the state's omnibus border security bill raised doubts Tuesday about whether lawmakers will want to provide hundreds of millions in additional money to continue operations. Full Story
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Students in Mesquite and El Paso schools were sent to truancy court despite a new state law stressing alternatives to criminal charges, several advocacy groups allege. Full Story
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