Latino students are the largest minority group in the Southwest and the fastest-growing nationally. Federal data shows they consistently perform poorly on state tests and have lower graduation rates than whites. This is especially true for a growing population known as: "English Language Learners."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been under fire for stepped up enforcement and rising deportations.

Latinos' views on immigration policy and the upcoming presidential election will have a big impact on President Obama's chances next year, according to the latest survey from the Pew Hispanic Center.

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.

As the English Language Learner population continues to grow in the state, many are calling for an overhaul of the school system.

A new report finds that the number of youths in juvenile hall in San Diego County is on the rise, and made up primarily of Hispanics.

Dr. Raul Ruiz grew up in a trailer park in this poor district in Southern California’s interior.

Despite an increase in the amount of drugs stopped at the border, a government memo concludes that it has not dampened the flow of narcotics into the U.S.

The vast majority of cab drivers in San Diego are new immigrants to this country. Two recent killings highlight their vulnerability and the challenges they face lobbying for safer working conditions.

A new report from the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General concluded that $69 million of taxpayers' money for border fence construction has been wasted.

Ever since Arizona's controversial SB 1070 became law, other states and cities have tried to copy it. But few have defied both state and federal laws like Escondido in enforcing immigration laws.

The woman was convicted of leading a human smuggling operation across the U.S.-Mexico border for decades. She was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Amid growing criticism and confusion over the Secure Communities program, members of Congress question a top federal immigration official about it during a committee hearing.

More than $15 million said to belong to the powerful Sinaloa cartel has been seized in Tijuana. This is the second largest cash seizure since 2006, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon started to aggressively go after the drug cartels.

The congressional supercommittee failed to settle on a bipartisan proposal to cut the nation's deficit. Some advocates for immigration reform say there are savings to be had by cutting border enforcement.

The New River in California's Imperial Valley was once considered the most polluted in the country. The waterway is much cleaner now due to increased investment to clean up the environment on both sides of the border, government official said.

About 500 people have gone missing in Tijuana and the nearby region since 2007. Some at the hands of local criminals; others by drug cartels. Family members of the disappeared are pressuring law enforcement to solve the crimes.

A new study examining the latest Census data finds those who emigrate to the U.S., especially young immigrants, are assimilating well.

For the first time, taxi drivers will get representation on a committee that advises the Metropolitan Transit System on taxi regulations. It is seen as a first step to addressing drivers' long-time demands about safety and high fees.

Mexican federal officials have arrested a top drug cartel member in Tijuana, allegedly responsible for countless deaths and a wave of violence in 2008.

The "surf fence" along the U.S.-Mexico border that extends into the ocean is undergoing reconstruction, despite some environmental concerns.

A report looks at the record number of deportations this year and finds a growing number of children of deported immigrants are ending up in foster care in the U.S.

Mexico has a long and successful tradition of producing world champion boxers. Now, with the rise of mixed martial arts in the U.S. and Mexico, Tijuana has become a breeding ground for a new generation of fighters.

The Department of Homeland Security is under scrutiny in Congress over recent changes to immigration enforcement, including deportations.

A campaign to repeal the California Dream Act, which would make financial aid available to undocumented students, has been given a green light by the California Secretary of State.

A year-and-a-half since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake destroyed parts of Mexicali on Mexico's northern border, the U.S. and Mexico will join efforts in earthquake research and preparedness.

Last year, resettlement workers assisted more than 5,000 new refugees to San Diego; most of them ended up in City Heights. Among many things these newcomers have had to adjust is their diet.

New research finds that birth rates are down across the country, but especially in states hard-hit by the recession and the housing crisis.

Over the weekend, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed two bills important to undocumented immigrants. The bills are also expected to impact the state's economy.

Southern California was once a critical manufacturing center for the defense and aerospace industry. But as costs have risen, much of that production has now moved right across the border to Tijuana.

International child abductions are on the rise, and Mexico is the number one destination.

Less than a month after being sworn in, the United States Ambassador to Mexico is visiting San Diego and Tijuana to talk about his priorities.

In the latest twist to Washington's immigration debate, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to reconsider some deportation rules.

Malpractice complaints against Mexican doctors and dentists are nothing new. But in Baja California, about 300 complaints will be made public for the first time--and many involve American patients.

Elderly Latinos in Southwestern states would have the most to lose from potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits.

The "dolphin-safe" labels in imported canned tuna are now considered illegal by the World Trade Organization. This ruling follows a 20-year lobby from the Mexican government.

Rising violence and increased border security have drastically changed the illegal business, and changed the role of those who look to help migrants on both sides of the border.

There are questions about whether the region was really prepared for a shutdown of this scale.

San Diego County has received hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure and technology to deal with disasters. But a Red Cross official said the failure during the outage was in communicating with the public in a timely manner.

A new report by Stanford University Law School has found that a little-known government program has expedited the deportation of almost 160,000 immigrants, many of them from California and Arizona.

Arrests of immigrants trying to cross illegally from Mexico into the U.S. are at the lowest level in 40 years.

Some California cities have been criticized for profiting from DUI checkpoints that target undocumented immigrants by impounding their vehicles.

A major recent announcement by the Obama administration has raised the hopes of many undocumented immigrants. But some lawyers say it's still too early to tell if optimism is warranted.

City and state workers across the Southwest have historically put up with mediocre salaries because of the guaranteed pension benefits that came with the job.

Last week, the Obama Administration announced important changes to its current enforcement of immigration law. The changes will impact the lives of 300,000 people, many of them from the Southwest.

Hate crimes against Latinos in California have grown by almost 50 percent between 2009 and 2010. Meanwhile, the number of attacks against other groups continues to go down.

Construction projects at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border are facing challenges due to federal budget cuts.

During an era of budget cuts and stricter immigration enforcement, many immigrants wonder whether getting public assistance can affect their ability to stay in the U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been under fire over its "Secure Communities" program. In the latest twist, the battle between states and federal officials may end up in the courts.

Schools across the Southwest are opening this month with smaller budgets and fewer resources, forcing districts to come up with creative ways to make up for huge monetary losses.