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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.
Wednesday’s court ruling that the city of Farmers Branch does not have the authority to enact immigration legislation is being hailed as a victory for immigrants. But it doesn't mean all local ordinances are dead on arrival. Full Story
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Opponents of a coal company's plan to mine land in Eagle Pass are also fighting a plan to build a rail line to transport the coal to Mexico. Full Story
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The U.S. Justice Department on Monday denied the state’s request for preclearance of its controversial voter ID law. But Attorney General Greg Abbott was standing ready. Full Story
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No matter how the elections swing, one thing is certain about the 83rd legislative session: There will be a lot of new faces. Full Story
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The contributing editor for the Houston Chronicle on her book, which chronicles several practices that first-generation immigrants bring to the U.S. Full Story
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Reaction has been pouring in after today's news that the U.S. Department of Justice has refused to preclear Texas' voter ID law. Republicans are chiding the federal government, and Democrats are cheering. Full Story
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UPDATED: The U.S. Department of Justice has rejected Texas' application for preclearance of its voter ID law, saying the state did not prove that the measure would not have a discriminatory effect on minority voters. Full Story
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Flanked by the state's leading Republicans, inlcuding Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Joe Straus, state Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, made his switch to the GOP official today. Full Story
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With the redistricting battle headed to resolution, another controversy could await lawmakers next week. After months of wrangling with the Department of Justice, a decision on the voter ID law could come as soon as Monday. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, wants to close a loophole that allows underground cross-border tunnels — which are often used by Mexican cartels — to flourish. Full Story
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