Is this term, 'colonias,' commonly used in this area? Never heard of it. And who lives in these colonias?
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Perry pledges improvements for Texas border colonias

Apr 20, 2007
HORIZON CITY, Texas Governor Rick Perry today pledged to bring water, sewer service and other improvements to impoverished rural areas near El Paso.

Perry today toured two colonias, which are remote and unincorporated communities along the Mexican border. Most usually lack basic utilities.

Perry is backing legislation allowing counties to govern colonias.

Perry said he will continue pushing for local officials to use federal grants to bring running water and sewer services to the communities, which have sprung up in the desert areas just east of El Paso.

Some colonias are more than 20 years old, and residents have never had running water.

Perry has said improving living conditions in colonias and providing better access to education needs to be a priority for the state. He's pledged to support state legislation that would give counties the power to make local laws governing colonias.

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=6405230