They came to the U.S. because they want Americans to hear their stories: “We have to leave our city because of threats. Because of extortions. Like us, there’s a lot of people."

Javier Sicilia - the renowned artist who turned the grief over the loss of his son into a movement - brings his campaign to the U.S. He will travel across the Southwest and plans to end it in Washington D.C. next month.

Construction started in 2005 and was done in three phases at a total cost of $441 million. It will connect the Otay Mesa Port of Entry with I-805 and I-5.

How do you reach a Latino voter? Identify the social media platforms or websites they go to. And it doesn't hurt to get an audience with a popular blogger.

Because more and more Latinos are going online, campaigns are increasingly turning to the Internet to cultivate this group of voters and to get more of them to participate in elections.

Watch Gwen Ifill of PBS as she hosts a special live webcast on June 29 focused on immigration and border security. It will feature guests from San Diego, CA and Tucson, AZ.

Missed the special broadcast? The entire two-hour program is now posted, along with ways to continue the discussion.

Flor Jacqueline was always aware she was a U.S. citizen, but her mother forbade her from returning to the U.S. Now 18, she has reclaimed her citizenship and is on her way to the U.S. One of her goals: help the family that caused her so much pain.

A new Border Patrol stategy shifts from prevention through deterrence to deploying resources based on intelligence to respond to specific threats. A Congressman noted the plan lacks specifics of how it will be implemented and how success will be measured.

Once a month, a group of volunteers visit an orphanage in Baja California to lend a hand. They bring toys, food and other supplies. Some of them even help a few lucky orphans start a new life.

Mexican drug cartel kingpin Benjamin Arellano-Felix pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in San Diego to racketeering and conspiracy to launder money. He admitted to ordering the kidnappings and murders of informants and witnesses.

Checkpoints are quickly becoming a new tradition as police crack down on drunk drivers during New Year's Eve. But there are several alternatives to get home safely this holiday weekend.

A San Diego Unified School Board member believes the ruling means taxes set aside for redevelopment will now enter the state's general fund. The legislature is mandated to spend 40 percent of the fund on K-12 schools.

Family members of four people killed when a Marine fighter jet crashed into their University City home three years ago will get $17.8 million in damages for their deaths.

On Midday Edition, the top stories of 2011, from the Fronteras Desk, from immigration reform to economic changes affecting immigrants already here. We hear from those covering the issues from our Fronteras Desk.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we take a look at top stories that took place across the U.S./Mexico border and the Southwest with our Fronteras Desk reporters.

José Francisco Blake Mora started his political career in the border state of Baja California before rising to the No. 2 position in Mexico's government.

A wooden platform or roof has collapsed onto one or more vehicles in an area under construction at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

The hundreds of pages of dispatches address a host of subjects, from the ongoing drug war to economic conditions in Mexico to reports of missing persons believed to be south of the border.

Federal officials said Thursday they've taken down a drug and weapons trafficking ring involving members of a U.S. Iraqi community and a major Mexican drug cartel that was caught selling large amounts of drugs, guns and grenades.

The state's redistricting commission voted Friday on new lines for state assembly members, state senators and the Congressional delegation. The boundaries appear to favor Democrats. Republicans have threatened to sue.

We have been asking for stories about how the violence in Mexico related to the drug war has affected citizens north of the border. Here are two of their stories.

In his first interview, ex-state Assembly speaker Fabian Nuñez felt his son was treated harshly by San Diego's courts.

About 100 people gathered at a traffic circle on one of the city's busiest streets calling for an end to the violence and for justice.

Officials along the border recount the changes along the U.S.-Mexico border and the changes in store for the future.

When Daniel Catán's opera premiered in San Diego in 1994, it was the first by a Mexican composer in the United States.

The 2010 Census shows the White population dropped during the decade, while several minority groups made significant gains.

Federal agents arrested eight people and seized three assault rifles, one shotgun, six handguns, about $40,000 and some marijuana in raids in San Diego.

Headlines from Mexico are dominated by drug cartels and violence. A group of experts recently gathered at UC San Diego to turn the spotlight toward the country’s rich history and vibrant culture.

Alfonso Bustamante, considered one of the architects of modern Tijuana, died at his home on Wednesday. He was 95.

Congresswoman Davis said she and other colleagues will make sure the issues important to Gabrielle Giffords are represented in Washington.

Tijuana Innovadora, a $5 million conference aimed at rehabilitating the city's violent image, started with the country's leaders touting the region's success in taming drug violence and its manufacturing prowess.

San Diego State University professors held an exercise to explore how popular social media sites can help during the next disaster.

Mexicans began celebrating the 200th anniversary of their country’s declaration of independence. Tijuana's celebrations went on as planned under the protection of soldiers and police officers.

In the shadow of modern Naval vessels, two old warships exchanged cannon fire on San Diego Bay Friday afternoon. The sailing vessel the Californian was defending its home port from the invaders on the Spirit of Dana Point.