Julián Aguilar

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.

Past Contributions

After a lull in 2015, border apprehensions surge

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 17, 2016

Apprehension of families and unaccompanied children surged again along the Texas-Mexico border in 2016, reflecting the new prevalence of illegal immigration from Central America. Full Story

Credit: Martin do Nascimento/The Texas Tribune
Court's immigration ruling could affect Texas "sanctuary city" debate

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 13, 2016

An Illinois judge ruled that federal officials can't ask local jails to hold on to possible criminal immigrants without a warrant. Full Story

Credit: H. Michael Karshis
El Salvador's gang violence thrives in aftermath of civil war

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 12, 2016

Bloody gang conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and sparked a years-long exodus from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala to the United States. Full Story

Credit: Martin do Nascimento
U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Cross-Border Shooting Case

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 11, 2016

The case stems from a 2010 incident that ended with the death of a 15-year-old boy at the hands of a Border Patrol agent in El Paso. Full Story

Credit: Josh Denmark
To Die or to Leave: Migrants Flee the Murder Capital of the World

By Jay Root, Alexa Ura, Todd Wiseman and Julián Aguilar Oct. 11, 2016

Meet some of the Central Americans who are fleeing violence and abject poverty at home, only to endure shakedowns and abuse on their way to an uncertain future in the United States. This mini-documentary is part of our Bordering on Insecurity project. Full Story
Lack of Money Hinders Effort to ID Remains of Migrants Near the Border

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 5, 2016

The Texas Forensic Science Commission discussed the progress it has made in identifying the hundreds of remains found in border counties since 2010. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Texas Officials to Revisit Issue of ID'ing Remains of Migrants Near the Border

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 5, 2016

The Texas Forensic Science Commission will discuss an issue tied directly to the hot-button issue of illegal immigration. Full Story
Supreme Court Won't Rehear Immigration Case

By Julián Aguilar Oct. 3, 2016

The Obama administration suffered another setback on Monday in its effort to change the country's immigration laws. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Texas Lawmakers Criticize Border Surge For Moving Crime but Not Stopping It

By Julián Aguilar Sept. 28, 2016

Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told state lawmakers that the $800 million border surge has made two counties safer. But he conceded that the rest of the border is more vulnerable. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Did the Pope's Visit Help the Border? Depends Who You Ask.

By Julián Aguilar Sept. 27, 2016

Seven months after Pope Francis celebrated mass on the Texas-Mexico border, measuring the lasting effects of his visit is difficult. A recent uptick in violence has fueled concerns about whether another crime wave is on the way. Full Story

Credit: Julián Aguilar