President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy drew sharp rebukes after it was announced in April 2018 — especially after children who had been separated from their parents started being placed in a tent city in Tornillo. Trump signed an executive order June 20 that would keep immigrant families together, but it’s unclear how — or if — families that have already been separated will be reunited. With support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, The Texas Tribune has been reporting on the issue from the Texas-Mexico border, Washington, D.C., and Austin. You can help by sending story tips to tips@texastribune.org.More in this series

Credit: Alana Rocha

This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center.

From the Tornillo Point of Entry south of El Paso to the Rio Grande Valley hundreds of miles away, this weekend was a blur as uncertainty around the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy sparked more questions than answers. Our reporters, photographers and videographers have been on the ground. Here is some of what they saw.

Friday, June 22

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn hold a press conference at the Border Patrol station in Weslaco on Friday, June 22, 2018. They were joined by Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Manuel Padilla (center) and local mayors.
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn hold a press conference at the Border Patrol station in Weslaco on Friday, June 22, 2018. They were joined by Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Manuel Padilla (center) and local mayors. Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune

An immigrant at a bus station in McAllen shows her ankle monitor.
An immigrant at a bus station in McAllen shows her ankle monitor. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Saturday, June 23

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer on the international bridge between Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico, on June 23, 2018. Some asylum seekers camped out for days on the bridge.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer on the international bridge between Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico, on June 23, 2018. Some asylum seekers camped out for days on the bridge. Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune
Washington Moreira Batista, 17, waits on the Brownsville/Gateway International Bridge with his father, Jose Moreira Nunez, 52, for their chance to apply for asylum in the United States.
Washington Moreira Batista, 17, waits on the Brownsville/Gateway International Bridge with his father, Jose Moreira Nunez, 52, for their chance to apply for asylum in the United States. Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio; U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico; and U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, get instructions prior to touring the tent city at Tornillo Port of Entry.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio; U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico; and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, get instructions prior to touring the tent city at Tornillo Port of Entry. Jorge Salgado for the Texas Tribune
Castro, Udall and O'Rourke, accompanied by aides and a Department of Homeland Security officer, approach the tent city in Tornillo.
Castro, Udall and O’Rourke, accompanied by aides and a Department of Homeland Security officer, approach the tent city in Tornillo. Jorge Salgado for the Texas Tribune

Religious leaders gather for a rally at a Border Patrol station in McAllen.
Religious leaders gather for a rally at a Border Patrol station in McAllen. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
A Dallas minister holds a Bible outside the immigrant detention center in McAllen.
A Dallas minister holds a Bible outside the immigrant detention center in McAllen. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Immigrants, many wearing ankle monitors, are dropped off at the McAllen Central Station, where they are they are given bus tickets to other parts of the country.
Immigrants, many wearing ankle monitors, are dropped off at the McAllen Central Station, where they are they are given bus tickets to other parts of the country. Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune
Other families who have received bus tickets and instructions are taken to the Catholic Charities shelter in downtown McAllen.
Other families who have received bus tickets and instructions are taken to the Catholic Charities shelter in downtown McAllen. Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune
Jose and his sister, Genesis, smile and play at the McAllen Central Station. The family waited for days on the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville to apply for asylum. They were at the station to get bus tickets.
Jose and his sister, Genesis, smile and play at the McAllen Central Station. The family waited for days on the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville to apply for asylum. They were at the station to get bus tickets. Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune

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