Families Divided

Few would dispute that life has gotten tougher for people who are in the United States without legal permission. But in recent years, it’s grown even more dangerous for immigrants in Mexico — mostly Central Americans trying to make their way to the United States. Full Story 

Advocates and lawyers on both sides of the border say this increased immigration enforcement from Mexican officials may be the result of cartel influence, politics or the United States itself. Full Story 

Some 350 children separated from their migrant parents this summer have yet to be reunified, despite a court-ordered July 26 deadline to do it and endless hours of pro bono legal aid. About half of those kids are on track for reunification. Full Story 

The federal government claims that it separated thousands of migrant kids from their parents for one reason: The parents broke the law by entering the U.S. illegally. But the account of a Guatemalan mother named Sandy, told in this week's episode of Reveal in partnership with the Texas Tribune, tells a different story. Full Story 

The Child Welfare League of America was hired in response to allegations that Southwest Key employees were improperly screened and because of “an inherent desire to make sure that we don't have a systemic issue that needs to be corrected," a spokesperson said. Full Story 

Agents on the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge now occupy a large physical barrier at the bridge's halfway point to manage the "influx of Central Americans seeking asylum." Full Story 

Sanchez is part owner of a property leased by Southwest Key Programs, a spokesperson said. It wasn’t disclosed on the company’s tax return because it’s not required. Full Story 

Although migrant families separated at the border this summer are getting a second chance to make their case for staying in the country, immigration lawyers say the Trump administration is working overtime to upend the nation's asylum process. Full Story 

New data shows the number of migrant children held in privately run shelters in Texas reached a new high in September, even after the Trump administration said it would reunify families separated under the now-paused “zero tolerance” policy. Full Story 

A deported Guatemalan immigrant has been separated from his son for months. A legal team that includes Michael Avenatti is trying to reunite them in Texas. Full Story 

More than two months after the president ended the "zero tolerance" policy on the border, more than 400 of the kids separated from their migrant parents remain in U.S. custody. Dozens of them won't be reunited with their parents. Full Story 

The temporary holding facilities often come as a surprise to the unsuspecting civilians who work or live nearby. Full Story 

A U.S. district judge last month granted a preliminary injunction preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from denying parole to asylum-seekers without an individual determination as to why. On Tuesday, the ACLU said it's still happening. Full Story 

A collection of photos by Carlos Sebastián for Nómada and Michael Stravato for the Tribune shows David Xol and Florinda Bol in Guatemala and the Texas facility where their son has been held since late May. Full Story 

David Xol and his 7-year-old son, Byron, spent three days in a wooden crate on their way to the U.S. in May. After being separated from his son at the border, Xol was sent back to a remote village in the highlands of Guatemala. He has no idea when Byron is coming home. Full Story 

One attorney who has been helping immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley says it's like "being in a MASH unit." More than 500 children are still separated from their parents. Full Story 

The Justice Department asked for the order to ensure that migrant parents who would otherwise have been detained can’t “bootstrap a right to release” just because they’re reunited with their children. Full Story 

Federal officials have given few details. Activists have called it a "horrifying scene." Full Story 

Asylum-seekers start on the path to an illegal crossing long before they actually reach the banks of the Rio Grande, relying on advice from an informal network of well-meaning friends and often-unscrupulous smugglers. Full Story 

Even after the Trump administration said it would reunify families separated under the now-paused “zero tolerance” immigration policy, new data shows the number of children held in privately run shelters in Texas is still high. Full Story