The latest border news from The Texas Tribune.
A little-known customs agreement between the United States and Mexico removes a major hurdle in how goods move across the border and could be an economic boon to South Texas. Full Story
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Some Texas-based advocacy groups say the release of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s use-of-force policy for Border Patrol agents is a positive step for transparency. But they add that more could be done. Full Story
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Elections officials across the state said that voter ID was hardly an issue during the 11-day early voting period that led up to Tuesday’s primary. But opponents say the law has already disenfranchised voters. Full Story
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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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Thousands of residents of Texas colonias could be largely left with little hope of obtaining health insurance after falling into the "coverage gap." But community-based organizations are working to educate them on their options. 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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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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Greg Abbott's comparison of South Texas corruption to "third-world country practices" has made the GOP gubernatorial candidate a target for Democrats and drawn criticism from border leaders. Full Story
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Greg Abbott, the Republican candidate for governor, has proposed a dramatic increase in state spending on border security and other crime-fighting initiatives. But he hasn't identified the funding to pay for the programs. Full Story
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After detailing his "Securing Texans" policy at an event in Dallas on Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott answered questions about his plans for border security and other issues. 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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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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Months after her husband was killed in Mexico, Lorena Acosta finally laid her husband to rest on Monday in West Texas. Acosta hopes to use her personal tragedy to spotlight what she said are deep-seated problems within law enforcement south of the border. Full Story
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The number of immigrants apprehended while attempting to cross the United States' southern border rose last year, but most of the increase can be attributed to immigrants coming from countries other than Mexico. Full Story
Texas' recent designation as one of six test states for a federal project that seeks to expand the use of drones is spotlighting how far apart border lawmakers are on using more unmanned aircraft for border security. Full Story
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Local government officials are eyeing extra revenue from Mexicans crossing the Rio Grande to save on items after a sales tax increase in Mexico's border regions. But cross-border traffic could deter some of the potential customers. Full Story
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In the wake of more violence and a resolution urging the U.S. to grant asylum to Mexicans, activists are urging lawmakers to review aid aimed at helping to end that country's drug war. Full Story
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