Real Data. Real Stories.
Border Lens is a data / research and story hub created by the Southern Border Communities Coalition to provide a comprehensive view of the southern border region — from the people who live and work in our region.
For too long border issues have been framed by people who don’t live in our region and by politicians who have used anti-immigrant sentiments for their own political gain at our expense. The truth is the southern border region is one of the most diverse, economically vibrant, and safest areas of the country.
Our hope is that elected officials, researchers and academics and others will use Border Lens as a resource for reliable, real-time information sources featuring actual stories from the southern border region, told by people who are most affected by our harmful border militarization policies.
We hope Border Lens will inspire our nation to move away from the enforcement-only border policies of the past, and towards A New Border Vision that expands public safety, promotes human rights and welcomes all people to our borders.
For more information on Border Lens, check out this article written by lead researcher, Gustavo Lopez.
Read Their Stories
HOW COVID-19 HAS IMPACTED THE SOUTHERN BORDER REGION
The virus is indiscriminate in who it affects, but communities that have long-suffered from systemic discrimination, poverty, and limited access to health care have been among the worst affected. Learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on border communities.
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ALEC'S STORY
Alec, a faith leader from Honduras, faced life-threatening violence for trying to get kids out of gangs. Fearing for his life, he fled to the United States to seek asylum. Read Alec’s story here.
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YOLANI'S STRUGGLE FOR SAFETY
Yolani fled a life-threatening situation in her home state of Honduras, and sought protection in the United States. However, due to the discriminatory Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), Yolani was forced to remain in Mexico, separated from her husband and daughter. This is Yolani’s story.
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BORDER DREAMERS: IMMIGRANT YOUTH IN THE SOUTHERN BORDER
Immigrant youth are instrumental to our communities — they’re our neighbors, teachers, nurses and doctors. Learn more about Border Dreamers here.
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ANASTASIO HERNÁNDEZ ROJAS
Anastasio, a long-time San Diego resident, was brutally killed by Border Agents in 2010. His death, and the subsequent Inter-American Commission on Human Rights case, show a border community struggling for justice.