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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.
As Republican lawmakers seek to rein in the president's executive authority, proponents of immigration reform are urging the president to keep using it to push through immigration changes. Full Story
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UPDATED: Opponents of a proposed open pit coal mine on the border will see this week if their last chance at stopping the venture has legs. Representatives for the project say fears have been overblown. Full Story
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The Mexican government's reaction to perceived U.S. pressure to hand over Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera will play into whether the head of the ruthless Sinaloa cartel will be extradited here, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, said on Sunday. Full Story
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The high-profile capture of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, the leader of Mexico's ruthless Sinaloa drug cartel, should not stoke immediate fears of unrest on Texas' southern border, analysts said Saturday. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry's recent remarks about states’ rights and marijuana laws drew national attention, though his staff said they were nothing new. Despite the clamor over the remarks, Texans shouldn't expect marijuana laws to change anytime soon. Full Story
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While customs officers on the border have their hands full searching for heroin, marijuana and other drugs, at least once a year they face another foe with the potential to wreak havoc on the country's economy: flowers. Full Story
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Campaiging in El Paso, GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott on Monday said "third world" corruption is a problem across Texas, not just on the border, and he defended his border security plan. Full Story
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Six people were arrested on Monday in front of the Travis County Jail during a civil disobedience protest against a federal immigration program. Full Story
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After a crackdown a few years ago in Laredo, gaming halls are on the rise again. But local officials aren't quite on the same page about whether to enforce the gambling laws or to try to change them. Full Story
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Congressional Republicans unveiled a set of guidelines for comprehensive immigration reform on Thursday, saying immigrants should have a path to legal status only after paying fines and passing background checks. Full Story
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