As construction of 670 miles of fencing along the Southwest border nears completion, at a cost of at least $2.4 billion, border communities like Eagle Pass are struggling to come to terms with their new reality. Is the barrier an effective way to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs across what was an inadequately protected border? Or is it…the physical symbol of a misguided — and expensive — policy that ignores the unique dynamics of the border?
No reasonable person would dispute the need to protect and preserve our security. No matter how much we might try to get on with our lives, we know that 9.11 changed the security equation. Anyone who’s tried to board an airplane can attest to this. Yes, security is an important issue, one that needs to be taken seriously and addressed in an approopriate and effective manner. That’s not to say that we need to acquiesce to the creation of Fortress America, however…especially when the manisfestations of that fortress mentality seem so divisive, wasteful, and disrespectful of what we as Americans have historically believed about ourselves and our country.
We spent at least $2.4 billion on a fence- yes, a fence- to separate us from Mexico. Now, don’t get me wrong; I understand the security and immigration issues in play here. Having said that, though, building a fence is a slap in the face to human beings on both side of the US-Mexico border. A fence is a tangible, inhuman scar that divides communities and puts the lie to the notion that we live in an open and welcoming country. This becomes particularly true when you take into consideration that no similar fence exists on the US-Canada border- the longest undefended border in the world. Lord only knows how many people simply walk into North Dakota from Manitoba illegally. Somehow, though, that issue is never raised…perhaps because Canadians look like we do? It’s so much easier to exclude people coming from Central and South America. They’re Brown, and by and large they don’t speak English.
$2.4 billion…and all we have is a symbol of racism and separation. Bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled yearning to breathe free…just as long as they’re not Brown.
