The Border Chronicle

Tombstone, Arizona calls itself “The Town too Tough to Die.” It has an Old West-themed Main Street and daily re-enactments of gunfights. For most people, it's a place to briefly drop into in order to experience a Disneyland-style version of Arizona history.For Logan Phillips, however, Tombstone was once home. The Tucson, Arizona-based poet was born in the town and grew up nearby. His father worked at the town's Historic Courthouse Museum; his uncle was an actor in Westerns. Phillips's new book, "Reckon," out now from University of Arizona Press, examines what it means to be from a place that glorifies violent, colonial masculinity—and seeks to find a way forward though family, relationships to land, and reckoning with history.In this episode of the Border Chronicle podcast, Caroline Tracey is joined by Phillips to discuss his new book and what it means to be born in the contemporary “Old West."

In the spirit of broadening the analysis beyond ICE, Border Chronicle cofounders Melissa del Bosque and Todd Miller discuss the leading role the U.S. Border Patrol has played in violent operations across the country.We analyze how these shocking immigration sweeps—such as the one in Minneapolis that killed Renée Good and Alex Pretti—extend the U.S. border into the interior. To understand these operations, it is essential to examine the extraconstitutional powers that the Border Patrol has long exercised in the borderlands, where the agency has enjoyed impunity for its abuses. The people of the borderlands and border crossers have faced this ironfisted authoritarianism for decades.Today, the United States appears to be entering a new phase of expanded border policing—similar to the Operation Gatekeeper deterrence of the 1990s or the sweeping powers and massive budgets that followed 9/11. Now the border can be anywhere, and the guns pointed at anyone—all with the enthusiastic support of the defense contractors who stand to profit.But the good news is, people have had enough.

Since the Obama years, Andrea Flores, an attorney and immigration policy expert, has worked with Democrats on immigration strategy at the national level. During the Biden administration, she served as director of border management on the National Security Council but left in frustration after realizing that President Biden wasn't going to roll back many of President Trump's border policies from his first administration.Raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Flores said that very few policymakers in Washington, D.C., truly understand the border. Democrats, she said, have continually failed to listen to border communities or create policies and messaging to counter Trump's and MAGA's anti-immigrant rhetoric and authoritarian agenda.In this podcast, Flores talks about the culture within the Department of Homeland Security, which hamstrung the Biden administration's efforts at reform, and the division within the administration over how to handle immigration policy changes, which led to confusion on the ground at the border. She also discusses how Democrats stood by while Trump and the MAGA media ecosystem set the national narrative for the border, helping Trump win the election.“We thought we had the public with us, but we offered them nothing in terms of vision or explanation of what we were trying to build,” she said of Biden's first year. “And I fear that could happen again if we just oppose everything President Trump is doing,” she said of Democrats, without offering new policy solutions or standing up for immigrants.Recently, Flores launched a Substack called America's Promise as a forum where Democrats can discuss how to modernize the immigration system and create narratives countering the MAGA movement's fear-based, anti-immigrant messaging, which has dominated the national discourse around migration and the border for years.“My hope for the platform is that people feel better equipped to judge and expect more from their elected officials than just saying ‘I promise immigration reform.' We're going on decades of that promise, right? Get more specific,” Flores said. “Offer something connected to how it's going to help people, especially American citizens. Because when you leave out American citizens from the immigration argument, you too often make it inadvertently an ‘us versus them' issue. But immigrants are of our community. And when the system works well for them, it works well for Americans too.”

This has been a difficult week, as many mourn the deaths of Renee Good and others at the hands of ICE. As enforcement actions escalate across the country, the whole country becomes part of the borderlands, and thoughtful, detailed reporting from the region continues to become ever more important. This week, we were happy to bring you a review by Caroline Tracey of an art exhibition by Sonora-born artist Miriam Salado that touched on themes of natural resources and violence in the Sonoran Desert and a reported analysis by Todd Miller about how a dramatic increase in private contracts figures into current border enforcement. Melissa del Bosque also spoke with border activist and ex-Border Patrol agent Jenn Budd about the recent ICE killings and agent impunity. Now and into the future, we appreciate your readership and support!This week in The Border Chronicle:Upcoming arts and culture events:For those readers in Phoenix, Arizona, there are two art events that may be of interest to Border Chronicle readers. This evening—Friday, January 16—artist Karima Walker, whose work was featured in this January 2025 article about the Santa Cruz River, opens Seers, a solo show related to themes of surveillance and artificial intelligence, at Step Gallery.At Casa Caracol's Raíz Gallery, artist maryhope | whitehead | lee's solo exhibition, “Deadly Crossing: Death and Disappearance in the Sonora|Arizona Borderlands” is on view through Saturday, January 24. There will be a closing reception and borders collage workshop that day from 3-6 p.m.More News from the Border:Trump warned of a Tren de Agua invasion. US intel told a different story. WIREDThe U.S. is pressing Mexico to allow U.S. forces to fight cartels. The New York TimesCochise Cronyism, Pt.1: A rural Arizona sheriff, ICE, and a quarter of a million dollars. Cochise County NewsCochise Cronyism, Pt. 2: Sheriff used office to shill for Canadian drone company seeking to cash in on militarized law enforcement. Cochise County NewsStraight out of Project 2025: Trump's immigration plan was clear. Capital and MainHow Donald Trump has transformed ICE. The New YorkerMedical examiner likely to classify death of ICE detainee as homicide, recorded call says. The Washington PostICE prosecutor who runs racist X account returns to Dallas immigration court. Texas Observer‘ELITE': The Palantir app ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid. 404 MediaInside ICE's tool to monitor phones in entire neighborhoods. 404 MediaTexas police invested millions in a shadowy phone-tracking software. They won't say how they've used it. Texas ObserverYou've heard about who ICE is recruiting. The truth is far worse. I'm the proof. SlateICE agents detain Navajo man in Arizona, ignoring US, tribal IDs. The Arizona RepublicFinally, while your holiday shopping might be finished, don't forget to check out The Border Chronicle's online Bookshop store to find something new to read! You'll find the books we've covered as well as Todd, Melissa, and Caroline's own books. A portion of all sales benefits our work.Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

I've been speaking with Jenn Budd for years about Border Patrol crimes, impunity and how the agency could be (and should be reformed.) But both Democrats and Republicans have refused to demand oversight and accountability for the highly politicized agency.Border Patrol and its paramilitary culture are now very much in control of the ICE & Border Patrol occupations in various cities in America. We talk about what this means for the investigation of Renee Good's murder in Minneapolis by an ICE agent, and what that means for Americans as these occupations continue. We also talk about the many years of fatal shootings at the southern border, and the fact that not a single agent has been successfully prosecuted for lethal force.We also discuss previous efforts at reform and what can be done to hold the agents accountable for their crimes.You can learn more about Jenn's work in this important documentary “Critical Incident: Death at the Border” which is out now on HBO Max. You can also listen to our 2022 podcast with Jenn about her memoir “Against the Wall: My Journey from Border Patrol Agent to Immigrant Rights Activist” about her time as an agent in the Border Patrol and her transformation into an activist and one of the fiercest critics against the agency.Additional context mentioned in our discussion:How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids? The TraceWe Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They've Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. ProPublicaSupport independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:River wall: Feds deploying 500-miles of water barriers near Brownsville MyRGV.comSan Diego sues federal government over concertina wire fence at border KPBSTrump's deportation drive is straining the US public coffers and labor market El PaisThe Rio Grande Valley among Texas regions most impacted by expiring health insurance subsidies The Texas Tribune‘Renee Nicole Good, presente': Tucsonans hold El Tiradito vigil after ICE shooting death The Tucson SentinelEl secuestro de Venezuela La Verdad de JuarezSupport independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Support local independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border today. Become a paid subscriber for just $6 a month or $60 a year at https://www.theborderchronicle.com/ Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:The Trump administration announced this week that it will further militarize the California-Mexico border by creating another national defense area, which will be under the control of the U.S. Navy. Interior Transfers Public Land to Navy to Support Border Security and National Defense U.S. Dept. of the Interior press release.Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, is now holding nearly 3,000 people in detention under deplorable conditions. The ACLU and other civil and human rights organizations are raising the alarm and warn that the administration will likely open other military detention camps soon. ICE Letter Regarding Ft. Bliss the ACLU & read local border coverage in El Paso MattersAfter Trump pardon, Rep. Henry Cuellar restored to homeland security funding post The Texas TribuneThe Department of War is celebrating the fact that it has deployed 43,000 rolls of concertina wire to be installed across the entire southern border. Historic Border Security Milestone: Largest C-wire Delivery, Emplacement in U.S. Territorial History in Partnership with CBP The Dept. of WarDPS investigating fatal shooting involving Border Patrol in Starr County MyRGV.comCalifornia's Attorney General is asking people to report ICE, CBP and other federal agent misconduct.Report Misconduct by Federal Agents to the California Attorney General‘I made my American dream in my country': How Rancho Feliz is confronting the immigration crisis at the source Cronkite Borderlands Project/The Tucson Sentinel‘Tis the season to support local, independent fact-based border journalism. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Jeremiah Johnson was an immigration judge in San Francisco. On November 21, he was fired by email without explanation. “I didn't even have time to print out the letter before the system was shut down and I was locked out,” he said. The email arrived with the subject line “Termination.” Johnson is now one of more than 100 immigration judges who have been fired nationwide since Trump took office.A former asylum officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Johnson was appointed as an immigration judge in 2017 under the first Trump administration. He is also the vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges. Until his firing, Johnson had a full docket and handled cases from the Eloy Detention Center, located midway between Phoenix and Tucson and run by the private prison company CoreCivic.Johnson discusses the differences in working as an immigration judge under the two Trump administrations and the fate of the immigration case backlog, which currently stands at 3.4 million cases as more judges are fired. Recently, the administration started advertising for “deportation judges” and has deployed military judges to hear immigration cases, which constitutional experts say could violate posse comitatus. Johnson also discusses how the system could be fixed, noting that remaining immigration judges are wondering who will be next to be fired. “It is disheartening to see your colleagues being fired. People are worried that they will be next,” Johnson said. “If no cause is given, there's no way to address the reasons to fire someone. So morale is extremely low.”Read and listen to more of The Border Chronicle at https://www.theborderchronicle.com

Jeremiah Johnson was an immigration judge in San Francisco. On November 21, he was fired by email without explanation. “I didn't even have time to print out the letter before the system was shut down and I was locked out,” he said. The email arrived with the subject line “Termination.” Johnson is now one of more than 100 immigration judges who have been fired nationwide since Trump took office.A former asylum officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Johnson was appointed as an immigration judge in 2017 under the first Trump administration. He is also the vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges. Until his firing, Johnson had a full docket and handled cases from the Eloy Detention Center, located midway between Phoenix and Tucson and run by the private prison company CoreCivic.Johnson discusses the differences in working as an immigration judge under the two Trump administrations and the fate of the immigration case backlog, which currently stands at 3.4 million cases as more judges are fired. Recently, the administration started advertising for “deportation judges” and has deployed military judges to hear immigration cases, which constitutional experts say could violate posse comitatus. Johnson also discusses how the system could be fixed, noting that remaining immigration judges are wondering who will be next to be fired. “It is disheartening to see your colleagues being fired. People are worried that they will be next,” Johnson said. “If no cause is given, there's no way to address the reasons to fire someone. So morale is extremely low.”Support independent media. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:3 people arrested after Border Patrol raids No More Deaths camp in Az The Tucson SentinelFor additional context listen to our podcast with Scott Warren, a No More Deaths volunteer who faced 20 years in jail under the first Trump administration for providing humanitarian aid.New Video: Border Wall Blasts Destroy Southern Arizona Jaguar Habitat The Center for Biological DiversityBuilders leader: Valley banks are also being impacted by ICE raids of construction sites Rio Grande GuardianSenador de Ohio que nació en Colombia y gozó de la doble nacionalidad quiere prohibírsela a todos los demás Conecta ArizonaLiberan campesinos Aduana y puentes tras acuerdos; si nos incumplen volverán bloqueos, advierten La Verdad de JuarezBorder Report: The Unseen Cost of Detaining as Many Immigrants as Possible Voice of San DiegoA Tucsonan is Claiming Asylum in Canada. Her Case Could Reshape How LGBTQ+ People Seek Safety Abroad. LookoutGutting of key US watchdog could pave way for grave immigration abuses, experts warn The GuardianRevealed: US veterans affairs to share immigration data about non-citizen workers with ‘appropriate agencies' The GuardianSupport independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border today. Become a paid subscriber for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Dive into the delusions of detention and deportation under the Trump administration. The Florence Project's legal director offers a new way to understand and challenge them.The legal director of the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Projectprovides an on-the-ground analysis of and reckoning with year 1 of the Trump administration's detention and deportation regime.What happens after an arrest? How many people have been detained? And what happens to asylum seekers?And what exactly is Kafka's merry-go-round of hell?Laura St. John answers these questions and more.But, perhaps most importantly, St. John provides practical answers for what concerned people might do about it. She offers an antidote to the “sense of hopeless inevitability” that the Trump administration is purposefully creating for undocumented people.For 15 years, St. John has been working for the Florence Project—an organization that provides legal assistance and advocacy for undocumented people in detention.

The legal director of the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project provides an on-the-ground analysis of and reckoning with year 1 of the Trump administration's detention and deportation regime.What happens after an arrest? How many people have been detained? And what happens to asylum seekers?And what exactly is Kafka's merry-go-round of hell?Laura St. John answers these questions and more.But, perhaps most importantly, St. John provides practical answers for what concerned people might do about it. She offers an antidote to the “sense of hopeless inevitability” that the Trump administration is purposefully creating for undocumented people.For 15 years, St. John has been working for the Florence Project—an organization that provides legal assistance and advocacy for undocumented people in detention.Support independent news from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:A Theology of Smuggling Places JournalIn the early 1980s, in Tucson, activists and religious leaders joined forces to protect refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border. Their collaboration galvanized the Sanctuary Movement. A drying-up Rio Grande basin threatens water security on both sides of the border Associated PressRGISC warns border wall plan could disrupt Laredo's river culture Laredo Morning TimesUS and Mexican residents rally against border wall construction in Arizona Caló NewsBorder Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with ‘suspicious' travel patterns Associated PressThe FBI spied on a Signal group chat of immigration activists, records reveal The GuardianNogales, Sonora, dismantles migrant camps at sports complex Tucson SentinelSupport independent news with context and analysis from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Jonathan Blitzer is a staff writer at The New Yorker who covers immigration, politics, and foreign affairs for the magazine. His recent piece for the magazine, “The Real Target of Trump's War on Drug Boats,” highlights Stephen Miller, homeland security adviser to President Trump, as a driving force, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, behind the illegal and deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.As of the publish date of this piece on Tuesday, November 18, the Trump administration has killed an estimated 82 people in 21 strikes—a rapidly growing number since the first strike took place September 2, killing 11 people. The administration claims, without evidence, that the boats it is targeting are carrying drugs.So how does this relate to the U.S.-Mexico border? For Miller, the boat strikes bolster Trump's unilateral authority and expand the definition of the use of force, a project that began at the U.S.-Mexico border, where Miller and other Trump allies portrayed asylum seekers as “invaders” and “alien enemies” and advocated for a military response. The same model has now been deployed in the interior, where domestic policy is being “militarized” by the administration.Do military deployments and occupations of U.S. cities mean the end of posse comitatus and that the military will now take a bigger role in domestic affairs? Now that the interior of the country is experiencing the Border Patrol's violence and impunity, could this finally lead to the rogue agency being reined in? (Though obviously not during this administration.) These are just a few of the topics that we explore in addition to discussing Blitzer's book Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America and the Making of a Crisis, along with how each U.S. administration has failed to acknowledge that U.S. policy and intervention are spurring much of the migration from Central America.Support independent news from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

As we've mentioned recently, we're going to be improving The Border Chronicle and expanding. We'll have more details in the coming weeks. This week we brought on Brenda Machado, our very first digital strategist and audience engagement hire, which is huge for us. We now have a greater presence on social media platforms, and we're already seeing the difference. When Brenda is not working her magic on social media for us she is studying for her Master's in Bilingual Journalism and Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona. Welcome Brenda!After four years, we are excited about the notion of growing, but to be honest we're also a little freaked out because we're continuing to see a significant drop in paid subscribers. The drop was particularly steep in September when many of our annual subscription renewals came up, and it's continuing to drop. Every dollar that we make from subscriptions goes back into our reporting at the border. And it allows us to hire more reporters, which we'd really like to do. We've recently received some foundation support but it's our readers and listeners who we rely on to keep The Border Chronicle afloat. So if you haven't renewed or are considering becoming a paid subscriber, please do so today! It's just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Or better yet, become a founding member for $150, which comes with two additional paid subscriptions for friends and family. Or if you'd prefer, you can send us a one-time donation. We are independent, and worker-owned, and can't do this without you!Also, a big thank you to everyone who filled out our survey. We appreciate you taking the time, and apologies for any technical issues you might have had with submitting it. We heard from a handful of readers that had trouble submitting the form. These surveys really help us at The Border Chronicle get a better idea of what is working for our podcast listeners and readers and what you all would like to see more of. For instance, we launched these Friday news roundups after the last survey results told us that readers wanted a summary of border news for the week and presto-change-o we made it happen.What we learned from this survey is that you all are happy with the frequency of our postings, which are three times a week. This is good to know! A few readers said they'd like more explainer pieces about border policy, which is a great idea, and we're also exploring how we could list community and cultural events, which many of you voted for. As a region-wide publication, we're not yet sure what this would look like, or whether it would be too sprawling. But rest assured we are working on it. If you've got thoughts, input about how you think we're doing or what we could do better. Please let us know, thanks!This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News on the Border:Ken Paxton's attack on Texas immigration nonprofits The HillSan Diegans Living in RVs and City Go Head-to-Head Over Safe Parking Lot Voice of San DiegoHow El Paso's Mental Health Court integrates recovery in criminal justice system El Paso MattersTrump administration plans to build border wall in Laredo, mayor says The Texas TribuneJudge rules border wall lawsuit can move forward during gov't shutdown Tucson SentinelSupport independent, fact-based journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

We want to thank everyone who has filled out our survey. And for those who haven't yet, never fear, we are continuing to seek your input! Please click below. This Week at The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:ICE officials replaced with Border Patrol, cementing hard tactics that originated in California Los Angeles TimesSanta Barbara's Día de los Muertos Parade Canceled Amid Immigration Enforcement Fears Santa Barbara IndependentMonarch butterfly begins ‘magical' journey from Chicago to Mexico in time for Dia de Los Muertos ABC7 ChicagoTohono O'odham Nation: DHS' new fee for noncitizens could impact tribal members in Mexico KJZZAdvocates warn immigrants could lose jobs as DHS stops automatically extending work permits Tucson SentinelSupport independent news and reporting from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Longtime organizer and former Pima County Legal Defender Isabel Garcia starts the conversation off with an assessment of U.S. public knowledge of important historic issues such as the genocide of Indigenous people, slavery, labor, and immigration.“What do people,” she asks, “know about immigration in this country?” This is the question that guides our conversation that spans decades, even centuries, but ultimately ends up assessing the current state of things under Donald Trump.“What we allow them to do on the border,” she warns, ”is what they will do to you.”Isabel is the co-chair of the organization Coalición de Derechos Humanos, and has been on the frontlines of border and immigrant rights since the 1970s. In this conversation, filled with story-telling and biting analysis, Isabel tells listeners how she debated John McCain in the 1990s and schooled Bernie Sanders at the border during his first presidential run.She also challenges us to “imagine what we can be,” and talks about the coalition they are forming called Defensa y Resistencia, which has a Stop the Kidnapping Campaign that directly confronts current ICE tactics. “We are openly going to protect our neighbors.” Isabel challenges listeners to do just that, by speaking up and plugging in.Support our work at the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Longtime organizer and former Pima County Legal Defender Isabel Garcia starts the conversation off with an assessment of U.S. public knowledge of important historic issues such as the genocide of Indigenous people, slavery, labor, and immigration.“What do people,” she asks, “know about immigration in this country?” This is the question that guides our conversation that spans decades, even centuries, but ultimately ends up assessing the current state of things under Donald Trump.“What we allow them to do on the border,” she warns, ”is what they will do to you.”Isabel is the co-chair of the organization Coalición de Derechos Humanos, and has been on the frontlines of border and immigrant rights since the 1970s. In this conversation, filled with story-telling and biting analysis, Isabel tells listeners how she debated John McCain in the 1990s and schooled Bernie Sanders at the border during his first presidential run.She also challenges us to “imagine what we can be,” and talks about the coalition they are forming called Defensa y Resistencia, which has a Stop the Kidnapping Campaign that directly confronts current ICE tactics. “We are openly going to protect our neighbors.” Isabel challenges listeners to do just that, by speaking up and plugging in.

More News from the Border:We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They've Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. ProPublicaOpinion: Drone attack in Tijuana a glimpse of a new kind of narco war San Diego Union-TribuneLa embajadora de Palestina inicia gira nacional en Tijuana denunciando genocidio en Gaza Tijuana PressCoast Guard launches Operation River Wall to control the border along the Rio Grande US Coast Guard NewsTrump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He's Left the Country. The Texas ObserverJudge permits questioning of top Border Patrol boss in lawsuit over treatment of protesters in Chicago. Chicago Sun TimesBorder barriers making it harder for health care workers to reach people who use drugs El Paso Times/Puente News Collaborative/Texas ObserverAsylum-seekers now held for days – in a downtown San Diego basement Times of San DiegoSupport independent news and reporting from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Every Friday, The Border Chronicle hosts a discussion on Substack Live to keep you informed on our latest articles and podcasts, and other important news from across the U.S.-Mexico border region.This Week in The Border Chronicle:Thank you to everyone who attended The Border Chronicle's Fourth anniversary party Thursday night. We had a blast! And thank you to all of our readers and listeners who have made our existence possible! We rely 100 percent on our subscribers to power our reporting and analysis. If you've been reading us for a long time and have thought about becoming a paid subscriber, but haven't, we can really use your help now! Independent fact-based media is under attack. More News from the Border:Starbase will take partial control of beach near Elon Musk's SpaceX launch site. The Texas TribuneTexas border providers brace for rate of uninsured patients to balloon as federal policy changes loom. The Texas TribuneDHS blocked from conditioning state disaster aid on ICE cooperation The Tucson SentinelEnviros: Most public comments oppose Trump rollback of ‘Roadless Rule' in wilderness The Tucson SentinelChula Vista Becomes First in County to Embrace AI in Policing Voice of San DiegoTech giants Open AI, Oracle behind $165 billion data center campus near El Paso El Paso MattersWe rely on you to power our independent, fact-based reporting. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

How did the first Trump administration crack down on providing water and aid for migrants? And what insights we can gain from that now?In 2019 geographer and humanitarian aid volunteer Scott Warren faced 20 years in prison for doing humanitarian work on the border. After two long trials, a jury acquitted him in November of two felony charges of harboring and one count of conspiracy to harbor. Here, Warren reflects on what happened, giving a detailed account of how he became a humanitarian aid volunteer, what led to his arrest by the Border Patrol, the trial itself, and what he is doing now.The trial took place during the first Trump administration. Now Warren can offer a grounded perspective on the current situation at the border. We grapple with the question of how to effect real change when, as Warren puts it, “the popular-level consensus in the U.S. seems to be militarize and militarize and militarize no matter what.”At the same time, he says, the border “is a place that does need peace and healing from the layers and layers of trauma stacked on top of the place, wove into it, and the dispossession of people.”What can we do? For the next year Warren will be pondering just that in a collaborative speaking and discussion series. If you are interested in having him come to your university, organization, or community group, contact him at scottdw1@gmail.com.

Dear Readers, If you are in Tucson, please join us tonight for our 4th anniversary celebration!Also on September 30, I (Todd) will be in conversation with filmmaker Rick Goldsmith after a viewing of his new documentary Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink. If you are up for a vivacious conversation about the state of journalism today, please come to the Marroney Theater (directly across from the Center for Creative Photography) on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson at 7 pm.And on October 15, you will have the opportunity to see the prophetic movie Sleep Dealer (check out Tuesday's podcast with filmmaker Alex Rivera!) on the big screen at the Fox Theater in Tucson as part of the Cinematic Borderlands Film and Conversation Series, presented by the Fox Theater, Cinema Tucsón, Cinema Tropical, Borderlands Cinematic Arts, The Border Chronicle, and other community partners. There will be a Q&A panel after the viewing.Humanitarian Aid Is Never a Crime: A Podcast with Scott WarrenHow did the first Trump administration crack down on providing water and aid for migrants? And what insights we can gain from that now?In 2019 geographer and humanitarian aid volunteer Scott Warren faced 20 years in prison for doing humanitarian work on the border. After two long trials, a jury acquitted him in November of two felony charges of harboring and one count of conspiracy to harbor. Here, Warren reflects on what happened, giving a detailed account of how he became a humanitarian aid volunteer, what led to his arrest by the Border Patrol, the trial itself, and what he is doing now.The trial took place during the first Trump administration. Now Warren offers a grounded and insightful perspective on the current situation at the border. We grapple with the question of how to effect real change when, as Warren puts it, “the popular-level consensus in the U.S. seems to be militarize and militarize and militarize no matter what.”At the same time, he says, the border “is a place that does need peace and healing from the layers and layers of trauma stacked on top of the place, wove into it, and the dispossession of people.”What can we do? For the next year Warren will be pondering just that during a collaborative speaking and discussion series. If you are interested in having him come to your university, organization, or community group, contact him at scottdw1@gmail.com.Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Filmmaker Alex Rivera debuted Sleep Dealer, his groundbreaking border science fiction movie, at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008. The film won several awards but did not receive the wide commercial release it deserved. Over the years, Sleep Dealer has been rereleased on digital platforms and become a cult classic.The Border Chronicle is proud to announce that on October 15, viewers will have the opportunity to see Sleep Dealer on the big screen at the Fox Theater in Tucson as part of the Cinematic Borderlands Film and Conversation Series, presented by the Fox Theater, Cinema Tucsón, Cinema Tropical, Borderlands Cinematic Arts, The Border Chronicle, and other community partners.In this podcast, Melissa del Bosque speaks with Rivera about what inspired him to make Sleep Dealer and about collaborating with his life and creative partner, Cristina Ibarra. Both were awarded MacArthur Foundation grants, often referred to as “genius grants,” in 2021. The two filmmakers created the innovative half-documentary/half-scripted film The Infiltrators in 2019 and founded Borderlands Cinematic Arts, a filmmaking lab based in Los Angeles that is part of Arizona State University's Sidney Poitier New American Film School, where Rivera is also an associate professor. The lab focuses on creating authentic and nuanced cinematic works about the borderlands.Sleep Dealer touches on many social and political issues, including the border security industrial complex, migration, and social and economic inequality. Check it out on the big screen on October 15 at 7 p.m., followed by an audience Q&A moderated by The Border Chronicle's Melissa del Bosque.Also, don't miss Ibarra's wonderful documentary Las Marthas, about Laredo's Society of Martha Washington Colonial Pageant and Ball celebration, screening on October 8 at 7 p.m. as part of the Cinematic Borderlands Film and Conversation Series. Last, don't miss Take It Away, a documentary about the legendary Tejano music host Johnny Canales, screening on October 22 at 7 p.m.You can buy tickets and learn more about the films here.Watch a short film on the making of Sleep Dealer here

Filmmaker Alex Rivera debuted Sleep Dealer, his groundbreaking border science fiction movie, at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008. The film won several awards but did not receive the wide commercial release it deserved. Over the years, Sleep Dealer has been rereleased on digital platforms and become a cult classic.The Border Chronicle is proud to announce that on October 15, viewers will have the opportunity to see Sleep Dealer on the big screen at the Fox Theater in Tucson as part of the Cinematic Borderlands Film and Conversation Series, presented by the Fox Theater, Cinema Tucsón, Cinema Tropical, Borderlands Cinematic Arts, The Border Chronicle, and other community partners.In this podcast, Melissa del Bosque speaks with Rivera about what inspired him to make Sleep Dealer and about collaborating with his life and creative partner, Cristina Ibarra. Both were awarded MacArthur Foundation grants, often referred to as “genius grants,” in 2021. The two filmmakers created the innovative half-documentary/half-scripted film The Infiltrators in 2019 and founded Borderlands Cinematic Arts, a filmmaking lab based in Los Angeles that is part of Arizona State University's Sidney Poitier New American Film School, where Rivera is also an associate professor. The lab focuses on creating authentic and nuanced cinematic works about the borderlands.Sleep Dealer touches on many social and political issues, including the border security industrial complex, migration, and social and economic inequality. Check it out on the big screen on October 15 at 7 p.m.. The screening will be followed by a panel featuring Alex Rivera, Melissa del Bosque, and David Taylor, moderated by Vicky Westover, along with an audience Q&A with the filmmaker.Also, don't miss Ibarra's wonderful documentary Las Marthas, about Laredo's Society of Martha Washington Colonial Pageant and Ball celebration, screening on October 8 at 7 p.m. as part of the Cinematic Borderlands Film and Conversation Series. Last, don't miss Take It Away, a documentary about the legendary Tejano music host Johnny Canales, screening on October 22 at 7 p.m. You can buy tickets and learn more about the films here.Watch a short film on the making of Sleep Dealer hereSupport independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Every Friday, The Border Chronicle hosts a discussion on Substack Live to keep you informed on our latest articles and podcasts, and other important news from across the U.S.-Mexico border region.This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:Canada and Mexico agree to deepen ties amid Trump trade war BBC60 violations in 50 days: Inside ICE's giant tent facility at Ft. Bliss The Washington PostFirst section of new border wall in Az's San Rafael Valley visible Monday The Tucson SentinelTexas troopers are doubling their salaries under Abbott's border effort, even as crossings hit new lows Austin American-StatesmanFort Bliss ‘assessing potential risks' after city of El Paso deploys Chinese-made drones next to Army post El Paso MattersSouth County Report: Democracy Is Dying? Not in National City Voice of San DiegoIndependent media and our democracy are under threat. Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border today. Become a paid subscriber for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Support our reporting and independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Subscribe today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Every Friday, The Border Chronicle hosts a discussion on Substack Live about our stories from the week and share more news about the border from around the web.This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: DPS arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across Texas to aid Trump's mass deportation The Texas TribuneDid Fort Bliss once house a World War II internment camp for people of Japanese, Italian and German descent? El Paso MattersAmid student fear and uncertainty, Arizona colleges split on clear policies for ICE on campus Arizona Center for Investigative ReportingThe eyes of Chihuahua The Texas ObserverThis month The Border Chronicle is celebrating its 4th anniversary. Help us continue providing crucial news from the border with a paid subscription today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Subscribe today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on.More News from the Border:Mexico-US initiative seeks to standardize water quality data as contaminated river threatens both nations Tijuana PressArizona's Cochise County, known for election turmoil, may challenge state laws again ahead of 2026 The Tucson SentinelHow an embezzlement scheme fumbled $50 million meant for Southern Ariz colonias The Tucson Sentinel2 El Paso County DACA recipients challenge ICE detention as families plead for justice El Paso MattersThe last corridor: How conservationists are protecting wildlife in Arizona's San Rafael Valley amid border wall construction News 21What ICE agents can and cannot legally do during arrests NPRThis month The Border Chronicle is celebrating its 4th anniversary. Help us continue providing crucial news from the border with a paid subscription today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:ICE Is Using Taylor Swift's Loophole To Hide Deportation Flights The LeverDHS rap video introduces new ICE vehicles featuring Trump's name in gold RawStoryBreaking News – Border Wall Construction to Begin in September, County Officials Say Patagonia Regional TimesTrump administration bans drones in Nogales area until February Nogales InternationalPeruvian in Fort Bliss ICE detention says ‘American nightmare' began after selling ceviche in Miami Beach El Paso MattersMystery surrounds $1.2B Army contract to build detention tent camp Associated PressEnvironmental Laws Waived to Build Border Wall in Texas Wildlife Refuge Inside Climate NewsWe rely 100 percent on your support at The Border Chronicle. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

The authors break down the billions generated by private immigration detention companies. An industry, they show, that is based on a false narrative.Who profits from immigrant detention, and how is the money made? Geographers Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon have investigated these questions for 10 years, producing one of the most thorough examinations of the industry. In today's podcast, we discuss their findings in the new book Immigration Detention Inc: The Big Business of Locking Up Migrants.This book comes at a crucial time as the Trump administration attempts to carry out a mass deportation plan that will be financed by an estimated $45 billion budget, via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.We discuss all of this: the billions made not only by major prison companies like Geo Group and CoreCivic but also by subcontracted services such as food, medical care, and commissary. The authors highlight that substandard food and health services are part of the business model. We discuss the financial dependencies that local governments have developed through their revenue-sharing agreements with ICE. Additionally, we examine the rapid growth of the detention industry—from 7,000 people in the early 1990s to 60,000 today—and how this growth has accelerated in the last eight months under Trump.Finally, the authors suggest solutions. “Chip away that detention is effective or necessary … this is really a false narrative,” Hiemstra says, and “peel away what makes detention profitable, and peel away the ability to make money off it.”Hiemstra is also the author of Detain and Deport: The Chaotic U.S. Enforcement Regime. Conlon and Hiemstra also coedited the book Intimate Economies of Immigration Detention.

Who profits from immigrant detention, and how is the money made? Geographers Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon have investigated these questions for 10 years, producing one of the most thorough examinations of the industry. In today's podcast, we discuss their findings in the new book Immigration Detention Inc: The Big Business of Locking Up Migrants.This book comes at a crucial time as the Trump administration attempts to carry out a mass deportation plan that will be financed by an estimated $45 billion budget, via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.We discuss all of this: the billions made not only by major prison companies like Geo Group and CoreCivic but also by subcontracted services such as food, medical care, and commissary. The authors highlight that substandard food and health services are part of the business model. We discuss the financial dependencies that local governments have developed through their revenue-sharing agreements with ICE. Additionally, we examine the rapid growth of the detention industry—from 7,000 people in the early 1990s to 60,000 today—and how this growth has accelerated in the last eight months under Trump.Finally, the authors suggest solutions. “Chip away that detention is effective or necessary … this is really a false narrative,” Hiemstra says, and “peel away what makes detention profitable, and peel away the ability to make money off it.”Hiemstra is also the author of Detain and Deport: The Chaotic U.S. Enforcement Regime. Conlon and Hiemstra also coedited the book Intimate Economies of Immigration Detention.Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border: Military Preparing Attacks on Mexican Cartels Ken Klippenstein Mexico Between Drones and Extraditions: Strategic Cooperation or Hidden Submission? Pie de NotaA Venezuelan Was Detained as a “Documented” Gang Member by ICE, which Refused to Provide Proof Texas ObserverICE to purchase AI tech that scans eyes to increase deportations AZFamilyTrump wants US-Mexico border wall to be painted black to stop climbers BBCWe rely 100 percent on your support at The Border Chronicle. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:Federal judge appears ready to dismiss 2 of 14 charges in Henry Cuellar's bribery case The Texas TribuneQuién Es Tu Gente: The Performance Artists of the RGV Trucha RGVGannett buyouts claim Arizona Republic's top political & opinion writers Tucson SentinelA new detention facility at Fort Bliss is set to open this week after problems that may preview issues to come as ICE ramps up for mass deportation. NBC NewsCETYS University Advances Cross-Border Academic Partnerships Beyond Borders GazetteBorder Patrol Agent Arrested and Charged with Domestic Violence in Laredo, Texas (Spanish text) Laredo Daily NewsWe rely 100 percent on your support at The Border Chronicle. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Jesse Franzblau is a senior policy analyst at the National Immigrant Justice Center, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides legal services to immigrants and advocates for their rights.Franzblau spent years documenting rights abuses in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands for the organization's Transparency and Human Rights Project. He now advocates for better immigration policies in Congress.In this podcast, Franzblau explains how the U.S. became home to the world's largest immigrant detention system, and how it was built by both Republicans and Democrats. From the beginning, private prison corporations such as CoreCivic and the Geo Group built immigration detention, which has become its own booming industry, especially now that Trump's massive spending bill, passed on July 4, will pour billions into the detention and deportation system over the next four years. In addition to defining the problem, Franzblau shares how the for-profit immigrant detention economy could be dismantled.For more context:A guide for members of congress visiting detention facilities: https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/ice-detention-oversight-toolkit-release/An explainer on the impact of HR1 funding: https://immigrantjustice.org/research/explainer-how-congress-codified-hateful-and-extreme-anti-immigrant-policies-by-passing-trumps-budget-bill/Support independent journalism with context and analysis. Become a paid subscriber today at theborderchronicle.com for just $6 a month or $60 a year.

Jesse Franzblau is the Associate Policy Director at the National Immigrant Justice Center, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides legal services to immigrants and advocates for their rights.Franzblau spent years documenting rights abuses in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands for the organization's Transparency and Human Rights Project. He now advocates for better immigration policies in Congress.In this podcast, Franzblau explains how the U.S. became home to the world's largest immigrant detention system, and how it was built by both Republicans and Democrats. From the beginning, private prison corporations such as CoreCivic and the Geo Group built immigration detention, which has become its own booming industry, especially now that Trump's massive spending bill, passed on July 4, will pour billions into the detention and deportation system over the next four years. In addition to defining the problem, Franzblau shares how the for-profit immigrant detention economy could be dismantled.For more context:* A guide for members of congress visiting detention facilities: https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/ice-detention-oversight-toolkit-release/* An explainer on the impact of HR1 funding: https://immigrantjustice.org/research/explainer-how-congress-codified-hateful-and-extreme-anti-immigrant-policies-by-passing-trumps-budget-bill/Support independent journalism with context and analysis. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Thank you joyce book, CathyP, Barbara Lemmon, Susan Lyman, wade mayer, and many others for tuning into the Weekly Roundup live video. Apologies for any technical guffaws at the beginning. We're still learning, but hopefully getting better. We rely 100% on our readers and listeners to support our work at the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year.This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:Trump Directs Military to Target Foreign Drug Cartels New York TimesWatch: New border wall going up over existing barrier in Rio Grande Valley Border ReportNew Arizona jaguar sightings a 'positive sign' despite border wall, UA researchers say Tucson SentinelFort Bliss army base on US southern border to take 1,000 ICE detainees The GuardianBorder Patrol and ICE Agents Are Arresting U.S. Citizens in Immigration Raids Capital & MainIf you've read this far consider supporting our work for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on! Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Thank you for joining us in the dog days of summer! Sorry about the last minute reschedule on our live video this morning. We had a changing of the co-host. And Caroline very kindly joined us to talk about her really interesting Q&A this week with Baja California historian Marco Antonio Samaniego on the new binational Tijuana River agreement. What's happening in your community that The Border Chronicle should cover? Let us know!We rely 100% on our readers and listeners to support our work at the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year.This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border: 2 customs officers plead guilty to allowing drugs to enter the US through their inspection lanes The Associated PressTrump Wants a New Border Wall. It Would Block a Key Wildlife Corridor. The New York Times285 acres of Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge taken over by Navy in border security move The Tucson SentinelVenezuelan deportees say they endured months of abuse inside a Salvadoran prison The Texas TribuneInternational bridges in Valley, border regions seeing fewer crossings MyRGV.comSan Diego County's Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse. Voice of San DiegoRio Grande Valley's biggest free health clinic event of the year is canceled due to federal cuts The Texas TribuneIf you've read this far consider supporting our work for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on! Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

A discussion about security as U.S. health care gets cut to fund the most gargantuan border enforcement bill ever passed. How do we create a counterforce to this?Why is it that when the word “security” is uttered, all thought and analysis go out the window? This is especially the case when people talk about “border security.” In this podcast, however, Border Chronicle founders Melissa del Bosque and Todd Miller put on their thinking caps, analyzing the first seven months of the Trump administration. They crack open the word “security” and examine its interior, hoping to better understand it and find a way out of our predicament.The discussion was spurred by the passage of the Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which designates $170 billion for border and immigration enforcement over the next four years (also see how Melissa put this bill into a deeper historic context last week). This enforcement will be funded, in part, by significant cuts to U.S. health care, including the possible cancellation of insurance coverage for 12 million people.Does security mean more walls, more technology, more armed agents, and a border that resembles a military base? Or, as Melissa and Todd discuss in the podcast, could peacemaking play an important role in creating real security for everyone? Peacemaking is not just about ending conflict; it also means creating a world where people can be healthy and flourish.

Why is it that when the word “security” is uttered, all thought and analysis go out the window? This is especially the case when people talk about “border security.” In this podcast, however, Border Chronicle founders Melissa del Bosque and Todd Miller put on their thinking caps, analyzing the first seven months of the Trump administration. They crack open the word “security” and examine its interior, hoping to better understand it and find a way out of our predicament.The discussion was spurred by the passage of the Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which designates $170 billion for border and immigration enforcement over the next four years (also see how Melissa put this bill into a deeper historic context last week). This enforcement will be funded, in part, by significant cuts to U.S. health care, including the possible cancellation of insurance coverage for 12 million people.Does security mean more walls, more technology, more armed agents, and a border that resembles a military base? Or, as Melissa and Todd discuss in the podcast, could peacemaking play an important role in creating real security for everyone? Peacemaking is not just about ending conflict; it also means creating a world where people can be healthy and flourish.Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border today. Become a paid subscriber for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Happy July everyone! We're back from summer break. Thanks to everyone who joined us this morning for our live roundup discussion on our reporting this week, and on the latest news happening in the U.S.-Mexico border region.The United States is definitely in one of those history-making eras. But not the good kind. Melissa's first post after returning from summer break, is a reflection from a road trip to Denver where she learned about another dark chapter in American history — the Sand Creek Massacre. Caroline who grew up in Denver didn't learn about this tragedy until she was in university. And most Americans have never heard of it. More than 160 years later, many White Americans still don't accept that it happened. Melissa also speaks with activists from across the border about how they're meeting this moment, and how they cultivate hope and healing to weather this new dystopian chapter in U.S. history.In brighter news, Caroline interviewed Mexicali activist Denahi Valdez about citizen-led efforts to make one of the hottest cities in North America more bike friendly, and more resilient to climate change.Support independent journalism today. Become a paid supporter of The Border Chronicle for just $6 a month or $60 a year. More News from the Border:Military to establish national defense area in Yuma AZ FamilyDOI Announces Land Transfer to the Department of the Navy for National Defense in Southeastern Arizona U.S. Dept. of the InteriorTejano singer Bobby Pulido forms exploratory committee for South Texas congressional bid The Texas TribuneValley woman faced traumatic hospital stay prior to murder charge for self-induced abortion My RGV.comClaim: Federal agents in plain clothes aimed guns, handcuffed Tucson Samaritans Arizona Daily StarFeds plan to build nation's biggest migrant detention center at Fort Bliss The Texas TribuneSupport independent journalism from a border perspective. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Thank you to everyone who joined our live video talk last night with Alix Dick about her new memoir “The cost of being undocumented: one woman's reckoning with America's inhumane math.” Alix talked about what it's like for people living without legal status in the United States as masked federal agents kidnap people off the streets in California. This week at The Border Chronicle, we also have an audio feature by Pablo de la Rosa in South Texas where immigrant communities say they are afraid to leave their homes for fear of being targeted by law enforcement and federal agents.To learn more about Alix's new memoir, listen to our May podcast with Alix and her co-author Antero Garcia. Also check out their excellent Substack “La Cuenta.”Also, a big thanks to our readers and listeners for supporting our work by becoming a paid subscriber or donating to The Border Chronicle. We rely almost solely on our subscribers to fund this work. The Border Chronicle is the only border-wide publication in the country providing on-the-ground reporting, context and analysis from a border perspective. If you haven't already, please consider becoming a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Everything goes directly to our reporting and research. Thank you!Yes, I want to support independent journalism today!This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:The Rio Grande Valley as Heart of LGBTQ+ Resistance and Joy The Texas ObserverProperty owners express concern, confusion over Starbase zoning ordinance MyRGV.comMexico's president threatens to sue over SpaceX debris from rocket explosions The GuardianPentagon to set up 2 more military buffer zones near border in Arizona and Texas ABC NewsNational Defense Area established in South Texas Air Force press releaseICE Is Arresting 1,100 Percent More Noncriminals on the Streets Than in 2017 Cato.orgSupport independent journalism from a border perspective. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

A lively conversation about how surveillance tech, created and tested in Israel & the US, targets climate refugees across the world. And how refugees have much better solutions than more of the same.In this episode the executive director of Climate Refugees, Amali Tower, crosses the globe from Israel/Palestine to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands to look at the technology that connects the seemingly disparate realities of warfare, surveillance, and immigration raids, putting them in the context of climate change and increasing global displacement. When people arrive to the U.S.-Mexico border, Tower says, they get “the same digital fortress, the same technical fortress, the same virtual wall, and the same physical wall that has been battle tested in Palestine and on Palestinians.”Stay to the end of the conversation, when we turn to alternatives and what people can do to make the world a better place. Amali talks about her visit to Arizona and Sonora last year, when we visited the binational fair trade coffee cooperative Café Justo in Agua Prieta. As you'll hear, this is a thriving example of an alternative to border militarization and an assertion of the right to stay home.Amali says that in the 10 years that she's been looking at the intersection of climate and displacement, she sees “blatant hypocrisy from countries seemingly supposedly caring about saving the planet for future generations to come” while they are simultaneously undermining “all those goals and plans and adaptations and all these wonderful things we are supposed to be doing for the so-called existential threat.”Instead, she continues, “When it comes to war and militarism, when it comes to borders, when it comes to keeping people out, it's incredible how we only have language and infrastructure and architecture to do that.”Here are links to sources mentioned in the conversation: a look at climate change in Israel/Palestine, and the IPCC report and one by Amali on the Mediterranean basin as a climate hot spot. And here is Amali's piece written in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in 2020, “If Black Americans Were to Seek Asylum, They Could Qualify.”The separation wall in Bethlehem, Palestine in 2021. (Photo credit: Amali Tower). 

In this episode the executive director of Climate Refugees, Amali Tower, crosses the globe from Israel/Palestine to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands to look at the technology that connects the seemingly disparate realities of warfare, surveillance, and immigration raids, putting them in the context of climate change and increasing global displacement. When people arrive to the U.S.-Mexico border, Tower says, they get “the same digital fortress, the same technical fortress, the same virtual wall, and the same physical wall that has been battle tested in Palestine and on Palestinians.”Stay to the end of the conversation, when we turn to alternatives and what people can do to make the world a better place. Amali talks about her visit to Arizona and Sonora last year, when we visited the binational fair trade coffee cooperative Café Justo in Agua Prieta. As you'll hear, this is a thriving example of an alternative to border militarization and an assertion of the right to stay home.Amali says that in the 10 years that she's been looking at the intersection of climate and displacement, she sees “blatant hypocrisy from countries seemingly supposedly caring about saving the planet for future generations to come” while they are simultaneously undermining “all those goals and plans and adaptations and all these wonderful things we are supposed to be doing for the so-called existential threat.”Instead, she continues, “When it comes to war and militarism, when it comes to borders, when it comes to keeping people out, it's incredible how we only have language and infrastructure and architecture to do that.”Here are links to sources mentioned in the conversation: a look at climate change in Israel/Palestine, and the IPCC report and one by Amali on the Mediterranean basin as a climate hot spot. And here is Amali's piece written in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in 2020, “If Black Americans Were to Seek Asylum, They Could Qualify.”We need your help to continue. Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Subscribe today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Since January 2025, the Trump administration has dramatically ramped up migrant workplace raids — mobilizing ICE and Homeland Security Investigations to detain thousands of undocumented people nationwide as part of a push to deport millions before Trump's term ends.In Texas, home to some 1.7 million undocumented workers, mixed-status families in the Rio Grande Valley are caught between the Mexican border and interior checkpoints—an inescapable trap that has compounded their fear and anxiety amid daily raids.In this audio feature, Pablo De La Rosa speaks with border residents to explore what life looks like under the constant threat of arrest and deportation.We need your help to continue. Support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Subscribe today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Dora Rodriguez fled the death squads in El Salvador during the civil war. Seeking asylum in the United States in 1980, she nearly died crossing the Sonoran Desert but miraculously survived. She remained in Tucson, Arizona, becoming a social worker and a formidable organizer and advocate for immigrants and for human rights.Her story embodies multitudes, from social justice activist to social worker to mother, grandmother, and founder of Salvavision, an immigrant advocacy organization in Tucson, and cofounder of Casa de la Esperanza, a migrant resource center in Sasabe, Sonora.To this impressive list of accomplishments, Rodriguez can now add author. On Saturday, July 5, at 10:00 a.m., her new memoir Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain, cowritten with Abbey Carpenter, will be released during a celebration at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, where the Sanctuary Movement started, spurred by the deaths of 13 of Rodriguez's traveling partners, who perished in the desert south of Tucson.In this podcast, Rodriguez talks about fleeing El Salvador, her rescue in the desert, and her role as an advocate and campaigner for human rights at the border. She also talks about what keeps her fighting and how she remains inspired by everyone who works alongside her in the struggle for social justice. “There might be a big ugly, tall wall, but in our hearts, we know we are a community, and we will continue to build bridges,” she says.Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain (Resilencia Publishing, 2025) is an inspiring book and a must-read at this critical moment in history, as an increasingly repressive U.S. political administration targets immigrant communities across the country.

Dora Rodriguez fled the death squads in El Salvador during the civil war. Seeking asylum in the United States in 1980, she nearly died crossing the Sonoran Desert but miraculously survived. She remained in Tucson, Arizona, becoming a social worker and a formidable organizer and advocate for immigrants and for human rights.Her story embodies multitudes, from social justice activist to social worker to mother, grandmother, and founder of Salvavision, an immigrant advocacy organization in Tucson, and cofounder of Casa de la Esperanza, a migrant resource center in Sasabe, Sonora.To this impressive list of accomplishments, Rodriguez can now add author. On Saturday, July 5, at 10:00 a.m., her new memoir Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain, cowritten with Abbey Carpenter, will be released during a celebration at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, where the Sanctuary Movement started, spurred by the deaths of 13 of Rodriguez's traveling partners, who perished in the desert south of Tucson.In this podcast, Rodriguez talks about fleeing El Salvador, her rescue in the desert, and her role as an advocate and campaigner for human rights at the border. She also talks about what keeps her fighting and how she remains inspired by everyone who works alongside her in the struggle for social justice. “There might be a big ugly, tall wall, but in our hearts, we know we are a community, and we will continue to build bridges,” she says.Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain (Resilencia Publishing, 2025) is an inspiring book and a must-read at this critical moment in history, as an increasingly repressive U.S. political administration targets immigrant communities across the country.We need your help. Support independent voices and journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Thank's to everyone who joined our live roundup this morning. As promised here's the link to Pablo's article from March on how Texas' Operation Lone Star is serving as a blueprint for Trump's rollout of his authoritarian mass deportation campaign in California and other states. Also, a big thanks to all of you who have answered our call in recent weeks for paid subscribers to support our reporting at The Border Chronicle. Without you, our subscribers, we wouldn't exist! We're proud of our work and believe that the U.S.-Mexico border needs a publication that connects communities across the region and highlights the perspectives and experiences of the people who live here and migrate through here.Thanks to you, we are now closer to our goal of 2,000 paid subscribers but still have about 650 more subscribers to go! If you're able to, and want to support independent reporting from the U.S.-Mexico border, please sign up to support The Border Chronicle as a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Help us keep the lights on. Mil gracias!Yes, I want to support independent journalism from the U.S.-Mexico border!This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:As legal fight over Guard deployment plays out, Noem vows to continue Trump's immigration crackdown San Diego Union-TribuneVillalobos: I'm gonna start ruffling feathers over the ICE raids in the RGV Rio Grande GuardianDHS memo details how National Guard troops will be used for immigration enforcement NPRDHS, Military hold press conference in El Paso on strategy to arrest border crossers in National Defense Areas. Watch full video of the press conference KVIA.comCBP is flying surveillance aircraft over ICE operations Tucson SentinelSupport Independent journalism from a border perspective. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Thank you Peter Murrieta, Jenn Budd, Rebecca Serratos, Cindy Spiker, Colin, and many others for tuning into today's live video of The Border Chronicle weekly roundup! As mentioned in the video, here's a link to sign up for next year's Migrant Trail Walk from Sasabe, Arizona to Tucson.Also, as promised some fabulous photos by Kathleen Dreier from the binational protest on May 31 in southern Arizona against the Trump Administration building a 30-foot wall through the San Rafael Valley, a vital wildlife corridor for endangered species like the jaguar. Left to right, participants on both sides imagine a migratory pathway without barriers, a cross-border volleyball game, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway speaks on the importance of a binational border culture.Since we launched The Border Chronicle in September 2021, it has been our goal to reach 2,000 paid subscribers. Why 2,000 subscribers, you might ask? Because that would be nearly enough funding to provide us (cofounders Todd and Melissa) with a sustainable salary to run The Border Chronicle full time. Imagine what we could do focused on our media outlet 100 percent?! It would be amazing.But … we're not going to lie. It's been a tough climb to reach our goal. We are still 700 subscribers short. Yesterday, we posted a heartfelt request for more paid subscribers to reach our magic number — 2000. Thank you to everyone who has pledged your support so far! And thank you for your encouraging messages. Here are just a few of them."The Border Chronicle is essential reading for its in-depth analysis combined with a deep love for the diverse social and natural worlds of the borderlands.” — Liz O"On the ground, grassroots reporting is what you do so well. There is so much misinformation about the border and immigration in these current political times. I value and trust the reporting Border Chronicle does. Thank you. — James M"Hi, I had been following your work for years and I believe it's beyond important. Thank you so much for your labor!" — Ramon RWe hope these good people and their kind remarks — and our in depth and on-the-ground reporting — will convince you to support our work. It's just $6 a month or a discounted $60 a year. Or even better, become a founding member for $150 and you'll receive two additional paid annual subscriptions. A deal! Just click on the button below.Yes, I'd like to support The Border Chronicle and independent journalism today! You can also donate to The Border Chronicle via PayPalThis Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:Decision to undo Texas' policy allowing Dreamers to pay in-state tuition is not just a bad legal move; it goes against the values we cherish as Americans Rio Grande GuardianU.S. gunmakers get Supreme Court shield from Mexico's cartel violence suit The Tucson SentinelArmy surveillance balloons spotted over Tucson raise privacy concerns from advocates The Arizona MirrorBorder Report: Questions Swirl Over Baja Governor's Cancelled Visa Voice of San DiegoVotar o no votar: México ensaya la primera elección judicial de su historia La VerdadFederal judge in El Paso acquits Peruvian migrant in Texas military zone trespassing case El Paso Matters Support the only independent journalism outlet covering the entire U.S.-Mexico border region. Become a paid subscriber today. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Watch Todd's video Q&A (above) with sociologist Timothy Dunn, one of the top experts on border militarization in the United States. Dunn talks about the new phase of militarization happening right now at the border, and how it fits into a larger history of military involvement with border policing. Dunn's books include The Militarization of the U.S. Mexico Border 1978-1992: Low Intensity Doctrine Comes Home, Blockading the Border and Human Rights: The El Paso Operation that Remade Immigration Enforcement, and The Handbook on Human Security, Borders and Migration. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, Dunn answered them all. This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:Trump's military zones could complicate search for missing migrants near US-Mexico border El Paso TimesDanger by Design: How Climate Injustice Harms Displaced People at the U.S.-Mexico Border IRAP, Las AmericasICE detains people after immigration court hearings in San Diego: ‘Bait and switch' Capital & MainBorder Patrol arrested a Detroit student on a field trip. He now faces deportation. Detroit Free PressWe need your help, now more than ever. Support independent news and perspectives from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Last chance to submit your questions for our invited expert!In the last month, as reported here at The Border Chronicle, we've seen active-duty military deployments and the creation of new militarized “national defense areas” at the southern border. The Trump administration is moving quickly, pushing the military into domestic law enforcement duties, violating federal laws, and acting without the approval of Congress. What should we be concerned about moving forward? And is this unprecedented?Sociologist Timothy Dunn is one of the top experts on border militarization in the United States. And he will answer those questions, and any others you might have about this rapid militarization happening right now at the border. Dunn's books include The Militarization of the U.S. Mexico Border 1978-1992: Low Intensity Doctrine Comes Home and Blockading the Border and Human Rights: The El Paso Operation that Remade Immigration Enforcement.Email questions for Timothy Dunn to theborderchronicle@protonmail.com And he will answer them via video in our weekly roundup on May 30. Don't forget to put “ask an expert” in the subject line of your email.This Week in The Border Chronicle:More News from the Border:$160 Billion to Detain and Deport: Congress's “Reconciliation” Bill is a Betrayal of Priorities and Will Harm the Most Vulnerable WOLATrump's DOD ends hunting, hiking at the border. Hunters wonder 'Am I going to get shot?' USA TodayPentagon approves 1,100 more troops for southern border mission Military TimesPide Artículo 19 protección para Semanario Zeta ante nuevas amenazas TijuanaPress.comAgency tasked with protecting immigrant children is becoming an enforcement arm Tucson SentinelWe need your help, now more than ever. Support independent news and perspectives from the U.S.-Mexico border. Become a paid subscriber today for just $6 a month or $60 a year. Get full access to The Border Chronicle at www.theborderchronicle.com/subscribe

Alix Dick arrived in the U.S. more than a decade ago, fleeing violence in Sinaloa, Mexico, that tore her family apart. But the impact of living without legal status in the United States has been almost as brutal as the violence she fled.In her new memoir, The Cost of Being Undocumented: One Woman's Reckoning with America's Inhumane Math, cowritten with Stanford University sociology professor Antero Garcia, Alix Dick tallies the costs—spiritual, mental, physical, and economic—of being undocumented in the United States, especially as the Trump administration escalates its cruelty and persecution of people living without legal status.Alix and Antero discuss how they decided to cowrite her memoir, why they chose to publish it now, and how Alix worries that she might be unable to promote it publicly because of Trump's harsh crackdown. She also explains why many immigrants supported Trump in the election. “I believe when a society is so desperate for answers and leadership, and they lack identity, they will follow whoever seems the strongest,” she said.The two also run a Substack called La Cuenta, which is one of our recommended Substacks at The Border Chronicle. La Cuenta, launched in 2022, highlights the experiences and perspectives of people living without documents in the United States. It's crucial reading for Americans, especially in this era. The Cost of Being Undocumented will be released June 17.Subscribe and support The Border Chronicle at theborderchronicle.com