- Mexican Americans near the Arizona-Mexico border must live in a “low-intensity conflict zone” in which several of their constitutional rights are effectively suspended.
- Through frequent, arbitrary interactions with Customs and Border Patrol officers, they come to feel increasingly paranoid, frustrated, and powerless.
- Many of the strategies these Mexican Americans use to cope with these interactions, such as seeking alternate routes or acquiring SENTRI cards, have limited effectiveness at best.
What is the “100-mile Border Zone?”
Imagine living in a place where government officials can search vehicles, trespass on private property, and detain individuals without probable cause.
If this sounds like a dictatorship, think again. This is the reality within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Authors Nilda Flores-Gonzalez, Emir Estrada, Michelle Tellex, Daniela Carreon, and Brittany Romanello of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona describe the oppressive conditions and their effects in their recent article in the American Behavioral Scientist.
Read on to learn more about Flores-Gonzalez et al.’s findings, and what you can do to improve conditions at the border.
Background
The “100-mile Border Zone” was created in 1946. With the Defense Authorization Act in 1982, it became a “low-intensity conflict zone:” a territory in which military equipment and tactics are used in a non-war situation against civilians. Even though the language of the laws is carefully written to be race-neutral, racial stereotypes ascribe “illegality” to non-Whites. Therefore, in practice, Whites and non-Whites are treated very differently:
- More than 40% of Arizona’s population lives within the 100-mile Border Zone, which includes the major city of Tucson.
- Hispanic/Latinxs comprise 41% of the population in the counties adjacent to the border, and bear the brunt of the Border Zone’s militarized policies.
- For example, according to one 2018 Bloomberg report, in the rural town of Arivaca, where Latinxs are only 7% of the population, Latinx drivers were 26 times more likely to be asked for identification and 20 times more likely to be pulled over for secondary inspection than White drivers.
In recent years, the trend in Arizona has been toward even more stringent enforcement:
- A 2010 state law authorized state and local police officers–not just Customs and Border Patrol officers–to stop motorists or pedestrians without probable cause and check their immigration status. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately struck down large portions of this law.
- Also in the early 2010s, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio became a cult hero among the far right for his immigration roadblocks, raids, and detention centers he himself referred to as “concentration camps.” So many civil rights lawsuits were filed against him and his department that it cost county taxpayers $140 million in court costs during his tenure. The Department of Justice subsequently concluded that Sheriff Arpaio had overseen the “worst pattern of racial profiling in U.S. history.” He was pardoned by President Trump in 2017.
Although the decades of widespread militarization and racial profiling in Arizona are not well known to the general public, social scientists have been studying its effects for a long time. Flores-Gonzalez et al. aim to contribute to this literature by speaking directly with young adults living in or near the Border Zone.
The Study
This study focused on understanding the experiences of young adults with immigration enforcement in Arizona’s 100-mile border zone.
- Flores-Gonzalez et al. gathered information from 342 U.S.-born individuals, including Latinx, Native American, and White young adults, aged 18 to 29.
- Their main focus was on the Latinx group, which consisted of 151 participants, covering a mix of genders and generations, with most being second-generation Americans.
- Researchers specifically looked at those who lived in, visited, or had strong connections to the border zone, including areas like Yuma, Tucson, and Phoenix.
The study used a combination of surveys, photovoice (a method that combines photography with social action), and interviews. Participants were found through social media and various organizations, and because of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many interviews were conducted virtually.
Interestingly, these conversations were not initially directed at discussing the border zone or immigration enforcement. Nevertheless, study participants frequently brought them up, indicating how significant and pervasive these issues are in the participants’ lives.
Data from the interviews were meticulously recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to uncover the underlying themes related to immigration enforcement’s impact on individuals. This process revealed the deep-seated nature of immigration enforcement’s influence on the Latinx community.
Findings
The authors found that young adults living in Arizona’s Border Zone experience daily legal violence due to border enforcement practices. This violence manifests both physically and emotionally, affecting all residents in the area, regardless of their legal status.
- The presence of the border wall and increased militarization are constant reminders of immigration enforcement, altering the physical and emotional landscape of their communities.
- The visible presence of Border Patrol and their aggressive tactics, such as intentionally destroying supplies left for migrants, underscore the severity of the policies in place.
- The shift of policing duties to the Border Patrol in specific communities highlights the intertwining of immigration enforcement with local law enforcement, and has led to a reluctance among residents to report crimes due to fear of deportation.
The personal stories related by some of the respondents (whose names have been changed) underscore these themes:
- One young Latina woman related her surprise at discovering there is no border crossing law enforcement in other states, and that her White boyfriend is treated so much more deferentially at checkpoints than she is.
- Another recounted the shock of encountering the newly constructed, extensive border wall, which she must now pass on her way to and from work every day.
- A third described the distressing sight of a deceased immigrant strangled by his backpack as he attempted to scale a wall, a direct consequence of the harsh measures that drive individuals to risk dangerous crossings through remote desert areas.
In areas close to the U.S.–Mexico border, young adults, especially those of Mexican descent, face what’s known as “legal violence” due to immigration enforcement practices. This refers to the negative impact of racial profiling and aggressive policing, where individuals are often judged and treated harshly based on their appearance, leading to a range of consequences from invasive questioning to unwarranted searches:
- White participants in the study reported far fewer issues at checkpoints, often passing through without the same level of scrutiny faced by their Mexican American peers.
- Latinx participants, on the other hand, talked about the intense anxiety they face at checkpoints, worried that they might be suspected of not being U.S. citizens because of their physical features.
- Many Latinx participants mentioned being automatically spoken to in Spanish by Border Patrol agents, a practice they perceived as a form of microaggression.
- Interestingly, the study found that racial profiling and the subsequent actions taken by CBP officers can vary, sometimes being even more intense when conducted by Hispanic officers. This contributed to the pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty these citizens felt in their interactions with the CBP.
Mexican American youth in areas near the border have developed several strategies to cope with discrimination from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents:
- One common approach is obtaining a SENTRI card, which is designed to expedite entry into the U.S. for pre-approved travelers.
- However, this method does not always shield them from scrutiny, especially for individuals with darker skin or who are perceived as “looking Mexican.”
- Despite presenting a SENTRI card, some reported still facing invasive questioning, highlighting how racial biases affect even those recognized as low-risk travelers.
The other major strategy embraced by these young adults involved their comportment in the face of CBP questioning:
- Many young adults emphasized the importance of remaining calm and compliant, even when facing frustration or hostility from CBP officers. This strategy is seen as a way to avoid escalating situations and to protect not only themselves but also their non-citizen companions from potential deportation.
- However, the constant questioning and the need to prove their legitimacy as U.S. citizens take a psychological toll, with some choosing to stop responding to CBP officers’ questions altogether. This reflects a broader struggle for recognition and respect within their own country, where their appearance subjects them to suspicion and marginalization.
The study authors conclude that Mexican American and Latinx U.S. citizens living or traveling through Arizona’s 100-mile border enforcement zone face significant stress and emotional strain. Young adults in this area have to manage their emotions maturely from an early age due to the unfair treatment they receive from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. Their stories reveal a deep-seated anxiety, frustration, and a sense of powerlessness against the injustices and the harmful effects of legal violence in the name of immigration enforcement.
What Can You Do?
Flores-Gonzalez et al. offer several suggestions for improvement at the policy level, including legal challenges and financial compensation to victims:
- The study critiques the effectiveness of programs like SENTRI, designed to expedite border crossings for pre-approved travelers. It argues that racial profiling undermines the program’s intended purpose, making border crossings unpredictable and often difficult for Latinx individuals, even those who have been vetted.
- The authors discuss the lack of accountability within CBP, citing a Department of Homeland Security report from 2016 that acknowledges issues of corruption and excessive use of force within the agency. Despite the report’s call for reforms, there appears to be little progress in addressing these concerns, suggesting a need for mechanisms like body cameras to document and deter rights violations by CBP officers.
- Given that racial profiling and stringent enforcement measures disproportionately impact non-white citizens, treating them as second-class citizens, and given that a significant portion of those crossing the border are U.S. citizens, who are likely to bear the brunt of CBP mistreatment, the authors argue that a good portion of these policies and practices are unconstitutional.
In conclusion, the study calls for a systemic overhaul to ensure that border enforcement practices are carried out with professionalism, courtesy, and respect for human dignity, ultimately safeguarding the well-being of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike.
Here are some things you yourself can do to help improve the situation on the border:
- Educate and Inform: Familiarize yourself with the issues facing border communities and the impact of current immigration policies. Share this knowledge with your network to raise awareness about the challenges and injustices experienced by individuals living in or traveling through border zones.
- Support Legal Aid Organizations: Contribute to or volunteer for organizations that provide legal assistance to immigrants and advocate for their rights. These organizations play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the complex immigration system and defend themselves against unjust treatment.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Contact your elected representatives to express your concerns about border enforcement practices and the need for humane immigration policies. Advocacy can lead to legislative changes that protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
- Participate in Community Actions: Join or organize rallies, vigils, and other community actions that call attention to the issues at the border. Public demonstrations can be a powerful tool for drawing media attention and putting pressure on policymakers.
- Support Border Communities: Donate to charities and organizations that provide essential services to border communities, such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Supporting these communities directly can help alleviate some of the stresses caused by stringent border enforcement.
- Educate Others on Racial Profiling: Use your platform, whether it’s social media, blogs, or community meetings, to educate others about the effects of racial profiling and the importance of treating all individuals with respect and dignity.
- Promote Accountability: Support initiatives that aim to increase transparency and accountability within immigration enforcement agencies, such as campaigns for the use of body cameras by CBP officers. Encouraging practices that document interactions can deter misconduct and protect the rights of individuals.
By taking these actions, readers like you can contribute to efforts to improve the situation at the border, promote fairness and justice in immigration policies, and support the well-being of affected communities.
Have you or someone you know experienced the effects of living in the Border Zone? Do you have any suggestions for addressing the challenges faced by communities in the Border Zone? Share your views in the comments below.
