INSIDER
Texas buys two ranches near the border, including a huge property next to Big Bend National Park
Read full article: Texas buys two ranches near the border, including a huge property next to Big Bend National ParkA Starr County property was purchased to build border wall, while Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the state has many options for a sprawling ranch in West Texas.
Texas attorney general says Biden must continue border wall construction after court deadline passes
Read full article: Texas attorney general says Biden must continue border wall construction after court deadline passesTexas sued to stop an executive order issued by President Biden on his Inauguration Day to stop border wall construction and divert funds that had already been allocated for the project.
At half a mile a week, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border wall will take around 30 years and $20 billion to build
Read full article: At half a mile a week, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border wall will take around 30 years and $20 billion to buildThe state has built about 34 miles of wall spread out across at least six counties on Texas’ 1,254-mile border with Mexico.
In two Texas border towns, Biden and Trump push for different immigration approaches
Read full article: In two Texas border towns, Biden and Trump push for different immigration approachesImmigration is a driving issue in the almost-certain presidential rematch between the Democratic incumbent and ousted Republican.
Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a state crime
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a state crimeThe new law would authorize police to arrest people they suspect crossed the Rio Grande between ports of entry. Abbott also signed a bill earmarking more than $1 billion for more border barriers.
Texas Legislature sends $1.54 billion bill for border barriers to Gov. Abbott
Read full article: Texas Legislature sends $1.54 billion bill for border barriers to Gov. AbbottSenate Bill 3 would also appropriate $40 million for state troopers to patrol Colony Ridge, a housing development outside of Houston, and allow the state to send money to local jurisdictions to offset the cost of enforcing another immigration-related bill.
Texas legislators approve bill allowing police to arrest people who cross the border illegally
Read full article: Texas legislators approve bill allowing police to arrest people who cross the border illegallyThe Texas House also voted to spend $1.5 billion on new state border walls, though that measure must be reconciled with the Senate version before it’s sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration.
Fighting between legislative leaders imperils Texas border security bills
Read full article: Fighting between legislative leaders imperils Texas border security billsThe governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker generally agree on building more border barriers and making illegal border crossings a state crime. But disagreements over strategy and personal animosity mean those measures face long odds this special legislative session.
State Senate approves bill to spend $1.5 billion for border walls, more policing of Liberty County development
Read full article: State Senate approves bill to spend $1.5 billion for border walls, more policing of Liberty County developmentAlong with the money to build more border barriers, Senate Bill 6 would devote $49 million to beef up law enforcement of the Colony Ridge development that’s become a target of far-right media.
Biden administration presses forward with border wall plans in Texas, angering allies
Read full article: Biden administration presses forward with border wall plans in Texas, angering alliesEven as the president says the barriers don’t work, his administration says it will waive environmental laws to build them quickly.
At Texas-Mexico border, Ron DeSantis unveils immigration platform with Trump in mind
Read full article: At Texas-Mexico border, Ron DeSantis unveils immigration platform with Trump in mindThe Florida governor calls for deputizing local law enforcement to police the border and deport migrants, saying his plan is “more aggressive” than the former president’s proposals.
This rancher doesn’t want a border wall on his land. He fears Texas will build it anyway.
Read full article: This rancher doesn’t want a border wall on his land. He fears Texas will build it anyway.Anti-border wall activists are racing to find landowners along the Rio Grande before they sign contracts with the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott hires “border czar” to accelerate wall construction
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott hires “border czar” to accelerate wall constructionThe governor said Mike Banks, a recently retired Border Patrol agent, will work with the Texas National Guard and state troopers to find ways to deter people from crossing the border illegally.
State continues negotiating with landowners to construct more portions of Texas border wall
Read full article: State continues negotiating with landowners to construct more portions of Texas border wallSecuring the land rights to build Texas’ portion of a border wall is proving to be a tedious and daunting process according to officials with the Texas Facilities Commission. The comments came during a Jan. 4 TFC meeting when another border wall construction contract was awarded.
Border Crisis: Texas negotiates with landowners to build more segments of state-funded border wall
Read full article: Border Crisis: Texas negotiates with landowners to build more segments of state-funded border wallThe Texas Facilities Commission continues negotiating with private landowners for the rights to build segments of a state-funded border wall. Without these agreements, the state can’t move forward with building more segments of the wall.
Along the Texas-Mexico border, GOP enthusiasm mounts as Democrats defect over immigration concerns
Read full article: Along the Texas-Mexico border, GOP enthusiasm mounts as Democrats defect over immigration concernsAmong voters near the Texas-Mexico border, immigration and border security are a leading cause for flipping from Democrat to Republican.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to bus migrants to Washington, D.C., will be voluntary
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to bus migrants to Washington, D.C., will be voluntaryAbbott said he’s responding to the Biden administration announcement that it will lift a pandemic-era emergency health order that allowed immigration authorities to turn away migrants at the border, even those seeking asylum.
What is Operation Lone Star? Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial border mission, explained.
Read full article: What is Operation Lone Star? Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial border mission, explained.The governor has ordered thousands of state troopers and National Guard members to the border since last year. Here’s what you need to know about the initiative.
Biden’s latest border moves spur criticism that he’s continuing wall construction
Read full article: Biden’s latest border moves spur criticism that he’s continuing wall constructionThe administration says it’s filling in wall gaps for agent safety and flood control, and documents suggest an environmental assessment for 86 miles of wall in South Texas is a stalling tactic.
Texas received 1,700 unused border wall panels from the federal government and plans to use them for Abbott’s border barrier
Read full article: Texas received 1,700 unused border wall panels from the federal government and plans to use them for Abbott’s border barrierTexas plans to repurpose the panels, left over when the Biden administration halted work on former President Donald Trump’s wall, to erect 1.3 miles of border barrier.
Gov. Greg Abbott has touted the state’s efforts to build a border wall, but many details remain a mystery
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott has touted the state’s efforts to build a border wall, but many details remain a mysteryAbbott unveiled the first 900 feet of border barrier Saturday. But the state has been mum on where it plans to build additional barriers and how many miles it can afford.
After 3 months of decline, border encounters increase
Read full article: After 3 months of decline, border encounters increaseAfter seeing modest decreases during late summer and early fall, the number of people either caught illegally crossing the United States’ southern border or deemed inadmissible to the country increased during the month of November. According to Customs and Border Protection, agents reported 173,620 encounters last month, a 5% increase from Oct and a 142% increase from the same month last year.
In his bid for attorney general, George P. Bush pitches himself as the toughest candidate on the border
Read full article: In his bid for attorney general, George P. Bush pitches himself as the toughest candidate on the borderPolitical observers say the move is a gamble. All three other major Republican candidates for attorney general, including incumbent Ken Paxton, have strong stances on border security.
Gov. Greg Abbott inaugurates first stretch of state-funded border barrier in Starr County
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott inaugurates first stretch of state-funded border barrier in Starr CountyAbbott launched the construction of a wall along the Texas-Mexico border using state money and crowdfunded private donations. The state has at least $1.05 billion for the border barriers.
5 firms being considered for design and construction of Texas-Mexico border wall that Gov. Greg Abbott promised
Read full article: 5 firms being considered for design and construction of Texas-Mexico border wall that Gov. Greg Abbott promisedOne of the companies being considered previously built a 3-mile barrier that is at risk of falling into the Rio Grande.
Texas has raised $54 million in private donations for its border wall plan. Almost all of it came from this one billionaire.
Read full article: Texas has raised $54 million in private donations for its border wall plan. Almost all of it came from this one billionaire.Timothy Mellon is the Wyoming-based grandson of banking tycoon Andrew Mellon. He is responsible for nearly 98% of the donations to Texas’ border wall fund.
Bill tripling Texas’ border security budget and allocating $750 million to wall construction becomes law
Read full article: Bill tripling Texas’ border security budget and allocating $750 million to wall construction becomes lawGov. Greg Abbott said Texas was stepping up to do the federal government’s job after Biden’s immigration policies had “opened the floodgates” to illegal immigration and crime.
Dan Patrick warns Democrats are allowing in immigrants for “silent revolution,” mirroring language of far-right extremists
Read full article: Dan Patrick warns Democrats are allowing in immigrants for “silent revolution,” mirroring language of far-right extremistsPatrick’s comments mirrored a far-right theory that says political elites are replacing white populations through mass migration and demographic changes. He called the increase of migrants at the border an “invasion.”
State agency awards $11 million contract to oversee construction of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas-Mexico border wall
Read full article: State agency awards $11 million contract to oversee construction of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas-Mexico border wallThe two firms awarded the contract have previously built barriers and designed ports of entry for the federal government.
State agency recommends two firms to oversee construction of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas-Mexico border wall
Read full article: State agency recommends two firms to oversee construction of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas-Mexico border wallThe state is expected to award the contract in mid-September to begin the construction of a Texas-Mexico border wall.
Private donations for a Texas border wall have soared to $54 million. But it’s still unclear who’s giving.
Read full article: Private donations for a Texas border wall have soared to $54 million. But it’s still unclear who’s giving.After two months, the donations had petered out around $1 million. But the effort saw a major boost in August.
Texas Senate approves spending nearly $2 billion on border security
Read full article: Texas Senate approves spending nearly $2 billion on border securityProponents of House Bill 9 denounced the Biden administration’s approach to border security, saying the state had no choice but to step in to ramp up enforcement.
Texas House approves additional $2 billion for border security as state moves to build border wall
Read full article: Texas House approves additional $2 billion for border security as state moves to build border wallThe bill would nearly triple border security funding from the last biennium. The legislation needs one more vote of approval from the House before moving to the Senate.
Texas House committee approves bill to spend an extra $2 billion on border enforcement
Read full article: Texas House committee approves bill to spend an extra $2 billion on border enforcementA border sheriff told lawmakers that some landowners who are afraid of migrants crossing their property have asked him, "When can I shoot?"
Texas to spend $25 million on 2-mile concrete barrier amid Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for a state-funded border wall
Read full article: Texas to spend $25 million on 2-mile concrete barrier amid Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for a state-funded border wallThe barrier in Eagle Pass is the first glimpse into how much a state-funded border wall could cost. But Abbott’s office says it’s a “concrete barrier” that is separate from his border wall push.
Justice Department sues Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's order for law enforcement to pull over vehicles with migrants
Read full article: Justice Department sues Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's order for law enforcement to pull over vehicles with migrantsOn Wednesday, Abbott issued the order, allowing Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to reroute civilian vehicles back to their origin point or a port of entry, or seize the vehicles, if police suspect the driver is transporting migrants who have COVID-19.
U.S. attorney general blasts Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest border directive and threatens a legal battle
Read full article: U.S. attorney general blasts Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest border directive and threatens a legal battleOne day after Abbott told state troopers to pull over vehicles with migrants suspected of having COVID-19, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the governor's order violated federal law.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas National Guard to help with migrant arrests at the border
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas National Guard to help with migrant arrests at the borderIn a letter to the major general of the Texas National Guard, Abbott said “more manpower is needed” at the border.
Gov. Greg Abbott promised “transparency and accountability” for border wall donations. But donors don’t have to use real names.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott promised “transparency and accountability” for border wall donations. But donors don’t have to use real names.Despite promises from Abbott that transparency in the crowdfunding process for the border wall would be paramount, donor information released to The Texas Tribune for the first week of collections was bereft of any way to verify the identities of the majority of the donors.
Large, small donations make up list of those contributing to the Texas border wall
Read full article: Large, small donations make up list of those contributing to the Texas border wallOne month ago, Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to build a border wall that would be funded, at least partially, through donations.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush sues Biden administration over halt to Texas-Mexico border wall construction
Read full article: Land Commissioner George P. Bush sues Biden administration over halt to Texas-Mexico border wall constructionThe lawsuit says the president had no legal right to put a stop to wall construction on the Texas-Mexico border because Congress had already appropriated the funds.
Analysis: A “special” session of culture wars, politics and unfinished business
Read full article: Analysis: A “special” session of culture wars, politics and unfinished businessThe agenda for the special session that begins today previews some of the issues you're likely to hear about during the 2022 election cycle.
Gov. Greg Abbott says more apprehensions, drug seizures justify a border wall. Advocates say he's misrepresenting the numbers.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says more apprehensions, drug seizures justify a border wall. Advocates say he's misrepresenting the numbers.The governor said Texas needs to build a border wall to reduce migrant apprehensions and fentanyl seizures. But immigration and drug treatment experts say Abbott's oversimplifying the issue.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to build a border wall. South Texas landowners are divided over whether they want it.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to build a border wall. South Texas landowners are divided over whether they want it.Some landowners who sued the Trump administration say they aren't "just going to roll over and give up" now that Abbott has taken on a border wall project. Others say a wall is needed to protect people and property on the border.
Donald Trump visits Texas to tour ‘unfinished border wall’ on U.S.-Mexico border with Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: Donald Trump visits Texas to tour ‘unfinished border wall’ on U.S.-Mexico border with Gov. Greg AbbottThe former president is touring the border Wednesday with Abbott, who has promised to build a state-funded border wall.
Gov. Greg Abbott is using a disaster declaration to help fund a border wall. Democrats say it’s an overreach of executive powers.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott is using a disaster declaration to help fund a border wall. Democrats say it’s an overreach of executive powers.The disaster declarations give the governor broad power to suspend state laws and regulations that hinder a jurisdiction’s recovery from a disaster and to allow the use of available resources to respond to the disaster.
Texas border wall project receives over $450K in donations, a week after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans
Read full article: Texas border wall project receives over $450K in donations, a week after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plansGov. Greg Abbott pledged $250 million in state funds for a Texas-Mexico border wall and is soliciting donations to fund the rest.
Kamala Harris to visit El Paso on Friday in first trip to U.S.-Mexico border as vice president
Read full article: Kamala Harris to visit El Paso on Friday in first trip to U.S.-Mexico border as vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump plans on touring Texas’ southern border with Gov. Greg Abbott later this month.
Critics denounce Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick’s “invasion” rhetoric on immigration, saying it will incite violence
Read full article: Critics denounce Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick’s “invasion” rhetoric on immigration, saying it will incite violence“If people die again, blood will be on your hands,” U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, wrote in a tweet.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million ‘down payment’ for border wall
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million ‘down payment’ for border wallTexas Gov. Greg Abbott held a news conference Wednesday at 3 p.m. from the Capitol in Austin to address the Texas border wall.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million "down payment" for border wall
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million "down payment" for border wallThe governor did not specify how long the wall would be or where it would be built. He directed the Texas Facilities Commission to hire a program manager to begin that research.
Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll use crowdfunding for his plan to build a border wall
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll use crowdfunding for his plan to build a border wallAbbott made national headlines with his announcement Thursday in Del Rio that Texas would build its own wall at the Mexico border, though he provided no further details and said he would lay out the plan this week.
Join ProPublica and The Texas Tribune for a conversation about President Biden’s border policy
Read full article: Join ProPublica and The Texas Tribune for a conversation about President Biden’s border policyA panel of experts will discuss the policy decisions that have created confusion at the border, what to expect in the coming months and possible paths to reform.
Work on the border wall continues — without social distancing
Read full article: Work on the border wall continues — without social distancingWork on President Trump’s border wall continues during the pandemic, the Dallas Morning News reports. Contractors are building a “mancamp” to house up to 80 workers, and work is continuing — with side-by-side laborers working on the wall near Columbus, New Mexico — near El Paso. A spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the paper the wall is considered “essential business” and was under the impression — incorrectly, according to the News — that the workers were following White House and CDC guidelines for social distancing. To see the photograph, click here and scroll through the News’ story. — Texas Tribune staff
Jared Kushner’s new assignment: Overseeing the construction of Trump’s border wall
Read full article: Jared Kushner’s new assignment: Overseeing the construction of Trump’s border wallHe has blamed former chief of staff John F. Kelly and former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for not focusing enough on the wall, senior administration officials said. The wall adds to Kushner’s growing portfolio of responsibilities, which some of his critics have said border on comical. But he remains the most influential adviser in the West Wing and enjoys a level of trust from the president that makes him unique within the administration, according to current and former administration officials. Administration officials acknowledge that building in those areas amounts to the lowest-hanging fruit for the border wall project. Still, Kushner has told others that a wall has to be built because his father-in-law promised it would be.