Medicine
October 30, 2023
A Taller Border Wall Brings a Surge of Costly Injuries to El Paso
The city's University Medical Center is among the trauma centers dealing with many more migrants severely hurt in falls from the thirty-foot fence.
Border Wall
Latest
1-41 of 41 Articles
Border & Immigration
September 18, 2021
The Biden Administration Says It’s Repairing Levees. Some South Texans Say It’s Building a Border Wall.
Barriers reminiscent of the Trump era are sprouting up in Hidalgo County.
Politics & Policy
July 27, 2021
Greg Abbott’s Border Fence Is Rising in Bits and Pieces
Local officials in South Texas are scrambling to figure out what the governor is building in their communities.
Politics & Policy
April 21, 2021
A Section of Trump Border Wall in South Texas Cost $27 Million a Mile. It’s Being Foiled by $5 Ladders.
“Ladders and walls go together like peas and carrots,” says one McAllen Border Patrol agent.
Border & Immigration
December 7, 2020
These Texas Landowners Hoped Trump’s Loss Would Halt the Border Wall. Instead, They Say, Things Are Worse.
With Trump ramping up efforts to construct the border wall, South Texans say the effort has been stripped to its essence: “It’s basically just big government taking Texas land.”
Border & Immigration
January 10, 2020
Tommy Fisher Is Gambling He Can Flip His $42 Million Border Wall to Trump
No matter that the federal government formally objects to his project and plans to build its own just two miles away.
Border & Immigration
December 5, 2019
At Trump Administration’s Request, Federal Judge Stops a Private Border Wall in South Texas
For the second time in a week, the pro-Trump group has been told to stand down.
Politics & Policy
November 26, 2019
In a First, the New Homeland Security Chief Met With South Texans About Cross-Border Trade
Chad Wolf was in the Rio Grande Valley last week for a border wall photo-op, but over a meal of cordon bleu he heard from businesspeople about economic woes.
Border & Immigration
November 15, 2019
‘We Build the Wall’ Ordered to Stop Construction of Private Border Wall in South Texas
Environmentalists worry the wall could worsen flooding and violate an international treaty.
Border & Immigration
November 1, 2019
It Looks Like the Border Wall Is Going Up in South Texas. But Looks May Be Deceiving.
Crews have built a small section of steel fencing in Hidalgo County. Is it all for show?
Border & Immigration
October 11, 2019
Crews Begin Clear-Cutting South Texas Land to Make Way For Trump’s Border Wall
Critics say it’s a political gimmick. It’s unclear when, or if, the administration can erect the steel barrier through the Rio Grande Valley.
Politics & Policy
August 30, 2019
Is the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge Still in the Crosshairs of Trump’s Border Wall?
Activists are concerned that the Trump administration will circumvent congressional prohibitions against building a barrier through the South Texas preserve.
Border & Immigration
August 19, 2019
A Day on the Rio Grande Reveals the True Cost of Trump’s Border Wall
The federal government’s efforts threaten to cut off access to much of the Valley’s natural beauty and forever alter life along the river.
Art
August 2, 2019
Architects Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello on Reimagining the Border With Seesaws
The creative duo recently went viral for the pink seesaws they installed at the border wall near El Paso.
Politics & Policy
February 28, 2019
The Border Wall Debate Emphasizes the Divide Between Rural and Urban Texans
A recent poll of Texas voters shows opinions about President Trump’s wall depend on where in the state you live.
Politics & Policy
February 26, 2019
Is the House Vote Against Trump’s Emergency Declaration Joaquín Castro’s Breakout Moment?
The House has passed legislation authored by the San Antonio Democrat to take on President Trump in a constitutional battle.
Politics & Policy
February 22, 2019
Joaquin Castro Files Legislation to Counter President Trump’s National Emergency Declaration
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House could vote on the bill as early as next week.
Politics & Policy
February 15, 2019
Joaquin Castro Takes a Lead in Fighting President Trump’s Emergency Declaration
The Texas Democrat is preparing a resolution to terminate the emergency declaration and already has 60 co-sponsors in Congress.
Border & Immigration
February 12, 2019
Donald Trump Vows to “Finish the Wall” in El Paso Political Rally
The president also seemed focused on a nearby counter-protest featuring Beto O’Rourke.
Politics & Policy
February 8, 2019
El Paso Has Been a Reminder of President Trump’s Failures On the Border. Now He’s Campaigning There.
In a political rally scheduled for Monday, Trump is expected to once again push for a border wall.
Border & Immigration
February 5, 2019
Signs of Border Wall Construction Seen in South Texas as Debate Over Funding It Continues
Congress already funded some wall construction last fiscal year.
Border & Immigration
January 25, 2019
Where Is San Antonio in Relation to the Border? An Investigation That Is Apparently Necessary
Because after Trump crowed about the city’s wall, Fox News announced a “Battle for the Border” town hall—in a city 144 miles from Mexico.
Border & Immigration
January 23, 2019
Potential Flooding Dangers from the Border Wall Must Be Studied, San Antonio Lawmaker Says
A bill introduced by State Representative Roland Gutierrez also directs state agencies to determine how new wall construction would affect water quality and environmental contamination.
Border & Immigration
January 11, 2019
Will Hurd Isn’t the Only Texas Official Who Opposes the Border Wall
The people who represent the region oppose Trump’s plan, regardless of party.
Border & Immigration
January 10, 2019
“They Don’t Realize What a Dynamic Place It Is”: Locals Raise Their Voices Amid Border Fight
After years of photo op visits from Democrats and Republicans alike, McAllen mayor Jim Darling and others hope to highlight the region's dynamism and interconnectedness with Mexico.
Border & Immigration
December 18, 2018
Will There Be a Showdown Over Funding of the Border Wall?
Carlos Sanchez speaks with a Texas congressman on the appropriations committee ahead of the looming budgetary showdown in Washington.
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2018
Acting Attorney General Speaks Out on Immigration in Austin
Matthew Whitaker repeatedly hammered the idea that people who enter the country without authorization are ”illegal aliens.”
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2018
Texans in Congress Preparing for Showdown Over Second Round of Border Wall Funding
Texas members of Congress are expressing concern about President Trump's stated willingness to partially shut down government to get funding for his wall.
Politics & Policy
November 27, 2018
Here’s How Trump’s Border Wall Could Affect Ecotourism in the Rio Grande Valley
The silver anniversary of a birding festival highlights the contrast between the politics and the ecology of the region.
Arts & Entertainment
October 23, 2018
On ‘Parts Unknown,’ Anthony Bourdain Asks If West Texans Are the Platonic Ideal of Texans
Spoiler: The answer is yes.
Border & Immigration
October 17, 2018
For Long-Separated Immigrant Families, a Three-Minute Hug at the Border Offers a Bittersweet Reunion
Irving Castillo hadn't seen his family in fifteen years. At the 'Hugs Not Walls' event, they were able to reunite—for 180 seconds.
Politics & Policy
August 2, 2018
Texans Support Citizenship for Children Brought Into This Country Illegally, Poll Says
A majority of Texans polled also said they support a woman’s right to abortion.
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2018
Red River Versus Rio Grande: Are There Two Standards?
Texas’s political leaders were up in arms about a federal land grab in North Texas, but mostly remain silent about another potential land grab in South Texas.
Border & Immigration
April 19, 2018
Poll Says Texans Support Sending Troops to the Border
At the same time, a majority of Texans polled oppose the idea of building a border wall.
Border & Immigration
April 13, 2018
Is it a Border Wall or a Fence or a Barrier?
As construction begins for Trump’s project near El Paso, debate turns to nomenclature instead of immigration.
Border & Immigration
April 3, 2018
Federal Border Wall Funding Spares Wildlife Refuge, But Not Much Else
The omnibus bill allocates money toward border wall construction along 33 miles in the Rio Grande Valley.
Travel & Outdoors
February 27, 2018
Navigating the Rio Grande’s Remote Lower Canyons
In this second of three installments, we follow a team of filmmakers and adventurers as they travel along the border river.
Travel & Outdoors
January 15, 2018
Adventurers Explore Both Sides of Border in 1,200-mile Journey Along the Rio Grande
Over three installments, we follow a film team as they—by bike, horse, and canoe—document how a physical wall would affect the area, water, and its people.
Border & Immigration
March 30, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Imagining the Border Wall
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Politics & Policy
February 2, 2017
The Great Wall of Technology
Texans may already have paid for part of President Trump’s signature proposal.
Uncategorized
January 31, 2017
Abbott Silent on Bathroom Bill, Trump’s Border Wall
Fact checking the governor’s state of the state address.