Democratic lawmakers angry with what they saw in South Texas

While dozens of protestors stood outside a Customs and Border Protection processing detention center in McAllen, Texas, in more than 100-degree weather, the officials inside the facility told reporters during their tour that the temperature inside was about 72 degrees. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who first visited the South Texas border on June 3, described his second visit as more coordinated for Customs and Border Protection officials who gave the tour.

In a Texas Border Patrol facility, children wait in cages

In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a U.S. Border Patrol agent watches as people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line at a facility in McAllen, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 2018. less In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a U.S. Border Patrol agent watches as people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line ... more In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, stand in line at a facility in McAllen, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 2018.

NAFTA prospects through the lens of Mexico

In this Aug. 16, 2017 photo, the national flags of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are lit by stage lights before a news conference, at the start of the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations in Washington. Mexico is taking U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to leave NAFTA more seriously as a second round of talks opens Friday, Sept.

Cruz gets an earful in McAllen for July Fourth

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, waded into this Democratic stronghold Tuesday to celebrate the Fourth of July -- and predictably got an earful from protesters, many upset with the Senate's efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare. Cruz, who has a knack for confrontation with his political opponents in Washington and far outside it, had to speak over the demonstrators for most of his speech at an Independence Day ceremony, twice pausing to address the commotion.

New technology, jobs heading to McAllen

Amid a time of uncertainty for business along the border, Scantech Sciences is doubling down with a new technology it predicts will revolutionize food safety practices. Scantech, a developer, manufacturer and operator of food treatment systems and facilities, already has a building in the Sharyland Business Park in McAllen.

House Speaker Paul Ryan confirms McAllen visit

The Office of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan publicly confirmed his visit to McAllen for the first time Wednesday morning amid tight security. "The speaker will be visiting McAllen, Texas Wednesday to examine the challenges of securing our border and learn more about the issues facing border communities," spokeswoman AshLee Strong said in a brief email.

Border Patrol Agents Pull 51 from – Deplorable’ Alien Stash House

Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley pulled 51 people from an illegal alien stash house described by officials as "deplorable." Border Patrol agents assigned to the McAllen Station in the Rio Grande Valley Sector responded to a tip on Monday about two apartments being used as a stash house for illegal immigrants smuggled from Mexico into the United States.

Texas A&M University gets one step closer to new McAllen facility

Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, center, is embraced by Texas A&M University Provost Karan Watson, behind, as he talks with City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling following the ground breaking ceremony for the Tres Lagos development Tuesday March 8, 2016 in McAllen. photo by Nathan Lambrecht/nlambrecht@themonitor.com Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, center, is embraced by Texas A&M University Provost Karan Watson, behind, as he talks with City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling following the ground breaking ceremony for the Tres Lagos development Tuesday March 8, 2016 in McAllen.