Lawmakers Approve $86 Million for Border Surge
The Legislative Budget Board approved another $86 million to continue heightened law enforcement at the border, though some questioned whether the funds could be better used elsewhere. Full Story
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![A Texas Parks and Wildlife warden patrols the Rio Grande in July, 2014.]()
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Years Late, New Border Rail Crossing Set to Open
After delays and bickering over who should pay for security measures, a new rail line connecting Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley is expected to open in February. Full Story
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![Construction site on the Mexico side of the new Brownsville rail bridge.]()
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Abbott: Obama's Order Violates Constitution
After the president doubled down on his promise to change the immigration system, Greg Abbott made his own vow: Expect a lawsuit from Texas. But some legal experts doubt Abbott can successfully challenge the president's order. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott talks to reporters at the Texas Capitol on Nov. 5, 2014, the day after he was elected governor.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Political Roundup: Textbooks and Border Surge
This week in our Texas Political Roundup: The State Board of Education hears testimony on what should be included in social studies textbooks, state leaders unveil plan to extend the border surge, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte makes her candidacy for San Antonio mayor official. Full Story
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Newsreel: House Speaker, SBOE, Border Surge
This week in the Newsreel: Straus appears to have his position on the dais locked down, SBOE considers again materials for textbooks and state leaders want to keep the border surge going through August. Full Story
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Obama's Immigration Plan Could Affect Thousands in Texas
President Obama on Thursday said he will use his executive authority to grant millions of undocumented immigrants a work permit and a reprieve from deportation proceedings. Reactions from Republicans were swift and outraged. Full Story
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![President Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Aug. 4, 2014.]()
Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza -
Dismay Rises as Border Agent Hiring Bogs Down
Computer hackers and polygraph test failures have slowed hiring of 2,000 new Customs and Border Protection agents needed to help speed commerce through airports and border checkpoints. Full Story
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Credit: Josh Denmark / CBP -
Border Surge Could Continue Through August
The surge of state law enforcement on Texas’ southern border will continue through August if an $86 million request made by the state’s top leaders is approved next month by budget writers. Full Story
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Sen. Perry Files Sanctuary Cities Legislation
Legislation reviving the fight over "sanctuary cities" was filed Monday by Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry. Full Story
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Feds Seek Fewer Holds on Undocumented Immigrants
Federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants in Texas jails longer so they can possibly be deported have dropped by the thousands, according to report released Wednesday. Full Story
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Obama Action on Immigration Could Benefit Texas Economy
With the midterm elections behind him, President Obama said he was ready to take executive action to prevent many undocumented immigrants from being deported, which analysts said could benefit Texas' agricultural, construction and service industries. Full Story
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![The Rally for Immigration Reform on Congress Avenue near the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Residents of a Forgotten Border Town Continue Fleeing to Texas
As officials in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez celebrate a drop in crime in the Mexican border city, residents in nearby Guadalupe, Chihuahua continue fleeing to Texas in droves amid continuing violence and corruption. Full Story
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![Construction workers are seen as two women walk along the road on an early October morning in Guadalupe Distrito Bravo.]()
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Dewhurst Asks for Price Tag to Expand Border Operations
Months after Texas beefed up its border security presence in the Rio Grande Valley, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants to know what it would cost to expand the projects through 2016. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst delivering his concession speech after losing his re-election bid on May 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Program Helping to Reduce Wait Times at Border Bridges
Nine months into a federal pilot program created to reduce wait times at international ports of entry, operators of bridges on the Texas-Mexico border say it appears to be accomplishing that goal. Full Story
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In El Paso, a Mirror of Catholicism's Challenges
Catholicism remains the religion of choice for most people in El Paso, but membership in the church has declined. How the church adapts to modern societal beliefs will be reflected by what happens to its membership there. Full Story
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![Parishoners attend a Friday service at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Paso.]()
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Ahead of CD-23 Election, Gallego and Hurd Tout Fundraising Totals
In the battle to represent Congressional District 23, U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, and Republican Will Hurd have built substantial war chests for the homestretch in what many view as the state’s only toss-up race for Congress. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest.]()
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Tours Aim to Redefine Juárez, Revitalize Tourism
Hopes are riding on a new effort in which tour buses will come to Ciudad Juárez regularly from El Paso. Officials want the tours to help shed Juárez's image as a danger zone and showcase the city as a destination for area tourists. Full Story
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![Historian Antonio Ramos poses as a Maderista soldier at a marketplace in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on Oct. 8, 2014.]()
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Obama Administration Breaks Own Deportation Record
The Obama administration deported a record-breaking 438,421 people in 2013, an increase of about 20,000 from 2012. That included about 198,400 immigrants with criminal records. Full Story
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![Border Patrol Agent Robert Dominguez.]()
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Judge Throws a Wrench in Border Coal Project
For several years, residents in Maverick County have waged a war against a company that wants to mine low-grade coal on 6,300 acres of land in this impoverished borderland. A recent twist in the saga is giving them new hope. Full Story
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![If Dos Republicas is able to mine substandard coal in Maverick County, it will be carried by train from the site in rural Maverick County through the center of Eagle Pass, Texas - Saturday, February 4, 2012]()
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Immigrant Sanctuary Effort May Head to Texas
A multistate effort urging churches and other places of worship to provide sanctuary for undocumented immigrants began this month. The effort could come to Texas, where some leaders say such shelter is already being provided. Full Story
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![Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in El Paso.]()
Credit: Julian Aguilar
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