Harmful, deadly and wasteful border wall doesn’t make us safer, but it does destroy wildlife and sacred lands, lead to horrific disappearances and deaths, and wastes billions of taxpayer dollars. Now, the current administration has used the COVID-19 pandemic to push forward on border wall construction, waving critical environmental protections while disregarding Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.  Continue reading

By Vicki B. Gaubeca Bull-dozing sacred burial sites. Destroying delicate wildlife. Siphoning billions of dollars from other programs to build dangerous and deadly border walls. President Donald Trump’s actions in the year since he declared a national emergency in a cash grab for wall funds — a state of emergency which he recently extended — seem like they’re out of dystopian novel, or the actions of a dastardly villain in a movie.  Continue reading

A new poll of registered voters across the four southern border states reveals a “crisis of confidence” in Trump’s border and immigration policies. The poll asked voters whether they approve or disapprove of the president’s policies, how much they trust border agents, how we should treat asylum-seekers, and whether we should provide aid to those in distress, among other things. Continue reading

By Vicki B. Gaubeca Border Patrol checkpoints — far from the actual border — that threaten the civil liberties of millions and lead to the detention of U.S. citizens.  Unconstitutional, illegal cash grabs to build massive, senseless border walls, taking money away from  schools and daycare programs for children of military, with complete disregard to the impact on wildlife, people or local communities.  Unaccountable border agents who act like a paramilitary force, and treat migrant children and families like like a threat, rather than vulnerable people seeking protection and safety. While many of these blunt-force enforcement tactics have gained notoriety under the Trump administration, all of them have their roots in Operation Gatekeeper, a program which began 25 years ago this October 1. Continue reading

On the ninth anniversary of the brutal death of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas at the hands of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP), The Southern Border Communities Coalition remembers him and the many lives lost to their deadly policies and protocols. Continue reading

By Jenn Budd Former Senior Border Patrol Agent Recently, a baby drowned and three others were feared dead after their raft capsized in the Rio Grande River, which marks the border between Texas and Mexico. Their deaths are the latest in the more than 7,000 migrants who have died at our nation’s southern border. Continue reading

The southern border region is one of the most diverse, economically vibrant, and safest areas of the country. Is a beautiful, welcoming and diverse place that’s home to more than 15 million people that are known for their hospitality and great food. Sadly, the national dialogue about “the border” has centered almost exclusively on notions of “security” and “enforcement”  as well as hyper militarization and walls. Politicians exploit these notions for political gain and to advance policies that are detrimental to the quality of life for the millions of people who live, work and travel through the borderlands. The truth is it’s easy to figure out what’s really going on here (hint: not a crisis). And if you really want to know what’s going on, ask the locals! For those uninitiated to the wonder that is the southern border region, here are 4 (out of countless) things WE LOVE about the southern border. Continue reading

The southern border region, home to 15 million people, is a place of encounter, hope, and opportunity. Yet over the last few decades, increased border militarization has undermined our values and affected our quality of life. Continue reading

By Yesenia Padilla Photo Credit: Jill Marie Holslin The militarization of the southern border through deadly walls is nothing new. In fact, it’s been going on for decades. Continue reading

The Southern Border region is one of the most diverse, economically vibrant, and safest areas of the country, home to about 15 million people. It is a place of hope and opportunity, not fear and conflict. President Trump is throwing a tantrum and now threatening to declare a national emergency by spewing blatant lies about the border and our communities in a sinister attempt to justify his deadly, wasteful and harmful border wall. President Trump is wrong to use federal workers and their families, along with asylum seekers, immigrant youth, border communities or anybody else as political bargaining chips for a hateful campaign promise. The only crisis we see in our communities is one stemming from excessive, unchecked militarization - and a humanitarian crisis of Trump’s own making. Continue reading