Tagged: border issues

Fronteras: Before any immigration reform can happen, Homeland Security needs to prove the border is secure. Some border residents say that's just a numbers game. We also take a critical look at border drones and how proposed immigration reform is giving new hope for family reunions in Mexico. Also,the professional sports teams in Phoenix are trying to cultivate new fans across the border.

The so-called Gang-of-Eight are still working to hammer out an immigration reform bill, despite criticism from conservatives who call it a "bad bill."

San Antonio Congressman Joaquín Castro is looking forward to seeing a comprehensive immigration package this year. He said he believes the bi-partisan group will be able to meet the standards that constituents expect.

As Congress debates future guest worker programs, unresolved issues remain with both current and past guest workers. Also on the show: A multi-part series on deportation. We look at the children left behind when parents are deported and what happens to the kids deported by the United States.

Fronteras: For several decades mules have delivered mail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, but now the company that runs the mule train plans to stop the package service. Plans to ship nuclear waste from leaky tanks in the state of Washington to New Mexico are stirring up an old debate about the storage of toxic waste. Also, filmmaker Rodrigo Gudiño tells us about his latest work, which  is fueled by his earliest memories of being horrified by religious images.

Sen. John Cornyn and Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, have introduced a bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy  plan to secure the border.

The Border Security Results Act of 2013 would require Homeland Security to develop and implement such a plan within 180 days of its passage and report periodically to congress.

McCaul cited points of entry near Tucson and San Diego as secure crossings, but said the entire border needs the same reinforcement.

On Fronteras: San Diego is in the forefront of a competition to attract big players in the drone industry. New classes in San Diego focus on students struggling to master English. A small population of Muslims have made Tijuana their home. Even though many border crossings are illegal, they play a big role in family identity and history.