Alejandro Serrano

texastribune.orgTexas man’s deportation raises questions about ICE partnershipsThe federal government let U.S. citizen Brian José Morales García return to Texas on Sunday after deporting him to Mexico following a traffic stop in Central Texas.

New: The wrongful deportation of an Austin man, let back into the U.S. on Sunday, highlights what many have warned about for years: When local police join forces with the feds, it can lead to U.S. citizens being hassled, detained and even deported. 🧵 www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/t...

The state's GOP leadership has spent years encouraging and requiring local police and govs to work w/ federal immigration authorities, through laws and orders. At the same time, they often dismissed concerns about racial profiling and potential impact to Americans. A sampling:

Here is a link to the report again w/ @ujohnnyg.bsky.social ---> www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/t...

t.cohttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/27/us/ice-immigrant-arrests-trump-deportation-dhs.html

Recently published ICE stats show that the Trump administration is leaning more on states like Texas for its ambitious deportation goals. Per a NYT analysis, ICE is making more than 380 arrests a day in TX + 287(g) participants here have made ~10k arrests. t.co/O5PwwiY8Ag

Meanwhile, as collaboration between local police and ICE has increased, transparency has not. For months, we have sought records from DPS related to the stop that led to Brian José Morales García's removal, as well as other DPS activity. Often, the agency seeks to shield docs.

The episode is also bringing attention to the unprecedented role that Texas law enforcement agencies are playing in President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. Consider this:

texastribune.orgFeds allow return of U.S. citizen deported after traffic stop in Central TexasBrian José Morales García maintained he was born in Denver after the federal government accused him of having entered the country illegally.

30 Aug

NEW: A 25-year-old man from Central Texas who was deported to Mexico despite insisting he was an American citizen returned to the country Sunday after the federal government reached an agreement w/ his lawyers in light of new evidence, per his lawyers. www.texastribune.org/2026/08/30/t...

t.cohttps://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/23/texas-united-states-citizen-deported-ice-detention-brian-morales/

30 Aug

Brian José Morales García, who says he was born in Denver but grew up in Mexico, was living and working in Texas at the time of his arrest and removal in April. He has maintained he was born in the United States. story I wrote w/ @ujohnnyg.bsky.social in the spring: t.co/64PfLhJp7W

13 June

Earlier today at the Texas GOP convention in Houston, an elephant arrived and peed in an aisle between the press and delegates. Here is a video.

texastribune.orgAt Texas GOP convention, Abbott vows to 'demolish' DemocratsThe governor sought to tie the minority party, and its U.S. Senate nominee, James Talarico, to “Bernie Sanders socialism” in a fresh look at his message for the fall midterms.

13 June

the elephant was brought out near the end of Gov. Greg Abbott speech. more about his speech here —> www.texastribune.org/2026/06/12/t...

Alejandro Serrano reposted

Robert Downen

@robertdownen.bsky.social

24 Apr

A man who says he was born in Colorado was deported recently after being pulled over in Texas, after which immigration officers denied his offers to show them proof of citizenship he says he had at home.

texastribune.orgICE deported man to Mexico who says he’s a U.S. citizenBrian José Morales García has a birth certificate showing he was born in Denver. ICE agents accused him of lying and says he entered the country illegally.

texastribune.orgTexas to require proof of immigration status for licensesOfficials approved the change after hearing from speakers who argued it would hamper the state’s economy and push immigrants to work without licenses in the black market.

24 Mar

New: People seeking a host of professional licenses in Texas, from electricians to dog breeders, will soon have to prove they are in the country legally under a new rule adopted Tuesday that could affect thousands of workers. #txlege www.texastribune.org/2026/03/24/t...

13 Mar

New: Texas Democrats more than doubled their turnout from 2024 during the primary elections on March 3 in the Rio Grande Valley, as the % of registered D voters who cast a ballot far exceeded that of recent elex. w/ this neat graphic: www.texastribune.org/2026/03/13/t...

t.cohttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/05/texas-primary-turnout-republicans-rio-grande-valley/

13 Mar

After the 2022 primaries, Republicans were the ones riding high after seeing GOP turnout more than double in the Rio Grande Valley compared with the previous midterm primary. t.co/FuSCIsNYQo

t.cohttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/09/texas-election-results/

13 Mar

Republicans went on to win freshly redrawn TX-15 in November 2022, and two Texas House Districts in the RGV: t.co/5rpbsX8ExM

Alejandro Serrano reposted

Los Angeles Times

@latimes.com

21 Feb

Willie Colón, trombone and salsa legend, dies at 75

latimes.comWillie Colón, trombone and salsa legend, dies at 75Throughout his career, Colón released more than 40 albums, pioneering a salsa sound influenced by the streets of New York City and beloved by Latin immigrant households around the globe.

21 Feb

The death of Ruben Ray Martinez, which would be the earliest deadly shooting by fed officers since the start of President Trump's immigration clampdown, came to light bc of a FOIA lawsuit from nonprofit watchdog American Oversight for records. www.texastribune.org/2026/02/20/t...

10 Feb

New: Houston-area developer Colony Ridge, accused of running a predatory lending scheme that deceived Latinos, reached a $68M settlement w/ Texas and the feds. This detail 👇 stuck out –– undocumented ppl can't get a driver's license or official ID in TX. Report: www.texastribune.org/2026/02/10/c...

texastribune.orgHouston-area development Colony Ridge becomes a right-wing lightning rodAfter conservative media portrayed the Colony Ridge development north of Houston as a haven for illegal immigrants, Gov. Greg Abbott said the upcoming special legislative session will look into the is...

10 Feb

Colony Ridge came under fierce scrutiny from GOP commentators and TX state leaders in 2023 bc the developers sold land to undocumented people. www.texastribune.org/2023/09/29/c...

9 Feb

Democrat Taylor Rehmet’s stunning upset victory in last month's Texas Senate #SD9 elex is explained in part by the massive swing by Latinos toward his campaign compared to other Dems in recent elections. to see the change, @amahaja.bsky.social made these maps: www.texastribune.org/2026/02/09/t...

Alejandro Serrano reposted

Mike Hixenbaugh

@mikehixenbaugh.com

8 Feb

This is Amalia. She spiked a fever of 104 in ICE lock up, a lawsuit says. Her oxygen levels dropped to 50% Officers stood watch during her 10-day emergency hospital stay. When she was well enough to leave, doctors said Amalia should go home. Instead, ICE put her and her mom back in detention.

4 Feb

Two weeks ago, the El Paso Medical Examiner ruled the death of a 55yo Cuban detainee at an immigration center in El Paso was a homicide. ICE bypassed the county ME w/ the latest death, sending the body to an Army hospital instead. www.texastribune.org/2026/02/03/t...

texastribune.orgHow Democrats flipped a ruby red Senate seat in North TexasObservers of the race said Rehmet’s working-class appeal, along with Latino and suburban backlash to GOP policies, fueled his win in a district Donald Trump carried by 17 points.

2 Feb

NEW: How Democrat Taylor Rehmet upset a MAGA candidate to flip a North Texas Senate district that Donald Trump carried by 17 points in 2024 + what folks are making of the special election, held on a Jan. Saturday w/ no other candidates on the ballot. #txlege #sd9 www.texastribune.org/2026/02/02/t...

texastribune.orgAppeals court to reconsider 2023 Texas immigration law, SB 4Senate Bill 4 returns to the 5th Circuit with border crossings at record lows, a sharp reversal from the influx that inspired Texas’ law authorizing state police to arrest undocumented immigrants.

22 Jan

Texas passed a '23 immigration law in response to record border crossings under the Biden admin. Today, a challenge to the law returns to court under v diff circumstances: crossings are low + TX is helping the Trump admin + the DOJ is no longer a plaintiff. www.texastribune.org/2026/01/22/t...

4 Nov 2025

Two weeks ago, Texas AG Ken Paxton announced that his office had arrested 35 undocumented people they turned over to ICE. So, I asked via an open records requests for arrest reports and any other relevant docs related to the apprehensions. The AG's office says there aren't any:

t.cohttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/27/john-cornyn-gun-bill-senate-primary-texas

28 Oct 2025

new from me: In the wake of the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn made a risky decision for a Texas Republican: He helped shepherd major gun safety legislation. Now critics are turning up the heat on Cornyn in what's shaping up to be the fight of his career. t.co/Sa9INpUBNb

Alejandro Serrano reposted

Francesca D'Annunzio

@francescadnunz.bsky.social

22 Sept 2025

In April, authorities raided what they say was a Tren de Aragua gathering. Attendees say it was a birthday party. Among those detained included a homeless barber/DoorDash driver, and three people who fled Venezuela years ago *because of* that gang 🧵 www.texasobserver.org/officials-tr...

texasobserver.orgOfficials Said They Busted a Tren de Aragua Party. Attendees Beg to Differ.A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother's life in tatters. It also fit a pattern of unproven gang-...

Alejandro Serrano reposted

Charles Ornstein

@charlesornstein.bsky.social

texastribune.org“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: DPS arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across Texas to aid Trump’s mass deportationThe Department of Public Safety has shifted from Biden-era border enforcement to helping expel people from the country, a job once exclusively done by federal authorities.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has shifted from Biden-era border enforcement to helping expel people from the country, a job once exclusively done by federal authorities. @serranoalej.bsky.social @texastribune.org

New: Texas DPS officers are helping arrest thousands of undocumented immigrants across the state, including in large cities whose Democrat leaders have historically opposed working w/ ICE. Spokesperson tells me: "Operation Lone Star 2.0 is underway statewide..." www.texastribune.org/2025/09/12/t...

texastribune.orgMonths after detaining 47 people accused of being Tren de Aragua in Austin, authorities offer no evidence of gang tiesPeople at the raided house say they rented it for a birthday party and deny any connection to the gang. One man says law enforcement accused him of being in Tren de Aragua because of his tattoo.

But reporting has cast doubt on the assertion. In Texas, one raid in Hays County raised fresh questions about evidence. our June report: www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/t...

here is a link again to today's story again. it contains nuance I hope you spend time with, as well as unanswered questions we hope to answer. if you want to talk to me on or off the record: alejandro.serrano@texastribune.org. DM me for signal. www.texastribune.org/2025/09/12/t...

texastribune.orgIn Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendoA park on the Rio Grande is the new focus of a long battle over border enforcement that’s reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

The state also dropped buoys and razor wire into international waters, built a border wall, etc. --- all raising Qs about how much authority a state has to enforce immigration law. here is a great story from January 2024 via @ujohnnyg.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/t...

DPS said as of mid-August it had identified nearly 6,500 “criminal illegal immigrants with active felony warrants in Texas for a variety of offenses.” The Trump administration has similarly said it is prioritizing deporting "the worst of the worst."

It is not clear if DPS officers themselves are making the arrests. The story gets into this question of authority a bit:

When DPS officers were surged to the border in 2021, they began arresting asylum-seekers on state charges of criminal trespass, instead of crossing the border like CPB might. It was one of several OLS aspects ...

Public records obtained by The @texastribune.org show that the teams have recorded 3,131 previously unreported arrests. Most people (88%) were picked up for violations of federal immigration laws. At least one in five in either Austin, Dallas or Houston.

texastribune.orgAmid Trump immigration crackdown, Texas reins in border spending and shifts focus to deportationsWith border crossings at record lows, state authorities are being sent to arrest people accused of committing crimes in Texas after entering the country illegally.

Meanwhile, the number of border crossings has tanked. These numbers offer a glimpse into how state police are shifting their focus from the border toward aiding the Trump administration. The #txlege this year appropriated another $3.4B for border security. www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/t...

In January, Gov. Abbott directed DPS to dispatch teams to help President Trump's immigration crackdown.

Since, not much has been said or celebrated about the teams or their productivity. DPS has acknowledged their involvement in individual arrests, like these: www.kxan.com/news/local/a... cmf.statesman.com/news/local/a...

kxan.comkxan.com

@kathleenbush.bsky.social

And DPS is being tight-lipped about the ops, a stark contrast from the press releases, videos, pics + stats frequently published over the last 4 years of Operation Lone Star, a border mission started in response to the Biden admin's immigration policies.

Alejandro Serrano reposted

Kathleen Bush-Joseph

12 Sept 2025

“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: Texas Dept. of Public Safety arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across TX to aid Trump’s mass deportation DPS has shifted from Biden-era border enforcement to helping expel people from the country... From @serranoalej.bsky.social

Alejandro Serrano reposted

ProPublica

@propublica.org

12 Aug 2025

📽️ WATCH: Andry Omar Blanco Bonilla, one of the men Trump sent to CECOT, told our reporters he was beaten the moment the plane landed. He says when he regained consciousness and saw the polished concrete floor, the bright lights, the men in uniform, he just asked God: What am I doing here? Why?

texastribune.orgFive years after shedding Confederate moniker, a West Texas high school may be Lee High againThe Midland school district rebranded Robert E. Lee High as Legacy High in 2020, part of a nationwide trend to distance public places from the Confederacy.

12 Aug 2025

you should read my @texastribune.org colleague Carlos Nogueras Ramos' dispatch about how Midland high school may once again be named after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee five years after the school shed its Confederate moniker --> www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/m...

texastribune.orgIncreased attention on Texas House Democratic leader Gene Wu comes with more anti-Asian insults“Is Gene Wu back in China?” state Sen. Mayes Middleton, a Galveston Republican, posted on X on Monday — the first day the House did not reach a quorum due to the absent Democrats.

7 Aug 2025

New: Increased attention on Texas House Democratic leader Rep. Gene Wu of Houston comes with more anti-Asian insults. www.texastribune.org/2025/08/06/t...

texastribune.orgHow a rural Texas sheriff became a poster child for serving Trump’s immigration goalsRoy Boyd has also become one of the loudest cheerleaders for partnerships between sheriffs and ICE to offer the federal agency unprecedented access to jails and deputies.

31 July 2025

New: Meet Goliad County Sheriff Roy Boyd, who's emerged as a model for how sheriffs can serve in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement apparatus. Sheriffs are already set to supercharge Trump’s immigration crackdown — especially in Texas. www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/g...

31 July 2025

Boyd, who has three 287(g) agreements with ICE, has urged fellow sheriffs to also enter agreements. But he may not have to do much convincing. Since February, the number of such partnerships between Texas sheriffs and ICE has exploded by roughly 325%... www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/g...

31 July 2025

... and come September, most Texas sheriffs will be required by state law to seek such partnerships w/ ICE — even those in urban, Democratic areas who have been resistant to and even protested cooperating with ICE in the past. link again to story --> www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/g...

texastribune.orgTexas judge dismisses case against migrant deported to El Salvador for being an alleged gang memberDPS troopers labeled Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, who remains in a Salvadoran prison, a Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang member based on a photo of him with a tattooed man.

18 July 2025

New: A Venezuelan man accused by Texas police of being a Tren de Aragua member and sent to El Salvador was initially arrested on criminal trespassing charges when he crossed the border. This week a Texas judge dismissed that case. But he remains in ES's CECOT. www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/t...

Alejandro Serrano reposted

ProPublica

@propublica.org

18 June 2025

28-year-old Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, who has no known criminal record, was accused by Texas police of being in a Venezuelan gang because they found a photo of him posing with another man with tattoos, his lawyers say. From ProPublica partner @texastribune.org:

texastribune.orgMigrant deported to El Salvador after DPS labeled him a member of Tren de Aragua without evidence, lawyer saysLawyers for Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo deny he is a gang member and say the DPS accusation hinges on a photo they found of him standing next to a man with tattoos.