Despite the drug war raging on the other side of the border, the number of Mexican nationals applying for asylum in the United States is declining. Approvals are down even further.
border
Troop Trauma
The expected deployment of 1,200 National Guard troops to the border has angered border advocacy groups, which fear the militarization of their communities will damage the local economy and impact their way of life.
I’m From the Border
What does it mean to be a Texan? For some of us, it’s where we live now. For historian David Romo, it’s where he grew up. Romo’s roots in Mexico are a vital part of who he is, as he explains in Texas Monthly’s special “Where I’m From” issue, on newsstands now, and in a companion radio piece that airs on June 4 at 3 p.m. on Austin public radio station KUT-FM and at kut.org.
Hudspeth County, Arizona
A commissioner’s court resolution supporting Arizona’s controversial immigration law has split rural Hudspeth County in far West Texas, whose 3,000 residents are largely Hispanic. Commissioner Jim Ed Miller, who introduced the resolution, says he simply wants the federal government to do its job and stop illegals from crossing the border. “Now what the hell is wrong with upholding the law?” he asks. But commissioner Wayne West, who opposed it, describes the prospect of law enforcement asking people to prove their citizenship as “nothing but pure harassment.”
Waiting Their Turn
The number of unresolved cases in the federal immigration detention system has reached an all-time high, driven in part by surging backlogs in Texas, especially in San Antonio and El Paso. Blame it on not enough judges.
TribBlog: U.S. Troops Will Be Sent to the Border … Again
U.S. National Guard troops will soon patrol the United States’ border with Mexico — again.
TribBlog: Border Hostages
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is pushing hard for the FAA to approve a second aerial drone to surveil the Texas-Mexico border — holding an Obama nominee hostage until Texas gets its way.
Border Bickering
Five members of the U.S. House are lashing out at Gov. Rick Perry for what they say is his refusal to allocate more of the federal funding that moves through his office to the border. Perry claims his hands are tied and insists the congressmen need to check their math. While the back and forth continues, residents of the border fear for their lives.
TribBlog: Cattle, Catfish and Cartels
Nearly two months after border-area cattle inspection stations in Mexico ceased operations amid security concerns, the sites have reopened on the Texas side of the border. A popular South Texas lake, however, is now on the radar.
TribBlog: El Paso City Reps. Urge Changes in Drug Policy
City of El Paso representatives call for a change in drug policy, allege current laws are a failure.

