US-Mexico Border Security 2007-2008

United States & Mexico Border Security Strategies Comparative Analysis

Researcher: Cristian Martinez

Mentor: Caesar Sereseres

School of Social Science

International Studies

UROP Symposium

May 31, 2008

I. Background

1920: Anti-Immigrant Panic

1940: Temporary-Worker Program

1950: Border Crossing-Threat to National Security

US-Mexico Border

San Diego, CA

Brownsville, TX

Extends over 1,290 miles

II. Statement of the Problem Region affected by transnational flows:

• Tourism &Trade• Organized Crime & Violence• Unauthorized Migration• Terrorist Threats

US border security spending has more than doubled in the past 5 years

• FY 2001: 4.8 Billion • FY 2007: 10.9 Billion

IV. Research Questions

Identify current United States and Mexico border security strategies and policies

Assess the effects that border security policies and operations have on United States-Mexico bilateral relations

Examine initiatives necessary to create effective border security

III. Research Goals

Comparative analysis of the United States and Mexico strategies to secure the shared border

Assess border security policies and operations necessary for effective border security

V. Methodology Research Methods

• Policy assessment • Structured and semi-structured

Interviews Participants

• US and Mexico scholars and public officials

Site Selection • California-Mexico border region

VI. US Policy Assessment

Secure Border Initiative - 2005• Infrastructure • Technology-based security • Increased manpower• Estimated cost

SBI: Proposed Two-Layer Fence

VII. US Policy Assessment

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007

• Infrastructure • Technology-based security • Increased manpower• Temporary-Worker Program

Virtual and Physical Fence

Vehicle Barriers

Double Fencing

Surveillance Camera

Ditch

..,

Motion & Underground tunneling detectors

..………….

Ditch

Fence

Fence

Surveillance Camera

Apprehensions in San Diego Sector (FY 1992-2004)

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

FY1992

FY1994

FY1996

FY1998

FY2000

FY2002

FY2004

Apprehensions

VIII. US Policy Critiques Physical Barriers

• Very costly: up to $3 million per mile• Inefficient

– Diverts unauthorized migration elsewhere

Technology- based security• Too costly: up to $16 billion for 750 mi.• Dependent on manpower (GAO)

Apprehensions in Southwest Region(FY 1992-2004)

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

1400000

1600000

1800000

FY1992 FY1995

FY1998

FY2001

FY2004

Apprehensions

IX. Mexico Policy Assessment

Post 9/11 Border Security National Plan of Development

• Organized crime State of the Union Address

• “Rather than creating a bridge, creating a wall” – President Calderon

Ministry of Foreign Relations • Temporary - Worker Program• Secure human rights

X. Bilateral Efforts“Securing the border should be a shared

responsibility” – President Calderon

Smart Border Agreement- 2002 Security and Prosperity Partnership

(SPP) - 2005 Merida Initiative- 2007

XI. Interview Matrix- ScholarsInterview Questions

United States Mexico

Define border security

Economics vs Politics Economics vs Politics

Interests , concerns, and discrepancies

Organized crimeUnauthorized migration

Organized crimeEconomic prosperity

Describe effective border security

Technology strategiesTemporary - Worker ProgramLimited physical barrier

Technology strategies Temporary – Worker ProgramNo physical barrier

Bilateral efforts recommended

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act

Comprehensive Immigration Reform ActMerida Initiative

XII. Interview Matrix - Public OfficialsInterview Questions

United States Mexico

Define border security

Fight against:Organized crimeTerrorist threatUnauthorized migration

Fight against:Organized crimePotential for:Economic prosperity

Border security effectiveness

Physical- effectiveTechnology-based security- effective

Physical-IneffectiveTechnology-based security-effective

Recommended action

Fight organized crimePhysical & technology based security

Fight organized crimeTemporary - Worker Program

Bilateral efforts recommendations

Merida InitiativeSecure Border Initiative

Merida InitiativeComprehensive Immigration Reform Act

Interview Analyses

Recognizing unauthorized migration as an economic phenomenon

• Temporary Worker Program Mutual security concern

• Combating organized crime Interest in technology-based security

XIII. Conclusions Policy and interview analyses indicate

a bilateral rather than unilateral approach will create a more secure and efficient border

Policy recommendations include• Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Act of 2007• Merida Initiative

XIV. Significance of the Study

Reinforce bilateral agreements Develop policy that deals with

migration as an economic phenomenon

Support technology-based border security for the fight against organized crime and the threat of terrorism

XV. Research Limitations Limitations

• Access to Mexico policy resources • Lack of participants• Shortage of time

Considerations• Establish more contacts • Conduct more interviews• Continue research

Thank You!

Questions?