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How will immigration reform feel on the border? - Mexico Institute in the News

Christopher Wilson

Chris Wilson of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute says the surge could be a type of "stimulus" for border towns that are struggling economically.

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The Senate today passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The bill includes a proposal to spend nearly $50 billion to beef up security at the U.S.-Mexico border. The money will be used to hire around 20,000 border agents, build more fencing and buy high-tech surveillance equipment. 

Chris Wilson of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute says the surge could be a type of "stimulus" for border towns that are struggling economically. 

"Certainly we know that there will be around 20,000 jobs created, in terms of border patrol jobs," Wilson said. "There's another $7.5 billion in the amendment for more fencing along the border. Somebody has to build those fences."

But Wilson points out that the economies of border towns are deeply intertwined and that adding additional security could undercut economic ties between those towns. 

Gilberto Salinas is vice president for the Economic Development Council in Brownsville, Texas. He says his family is from Matamoros, across the border in Mexico. "I'm born on the U.S. side, educated on the U.S. side, Salinas said. "I'm representative of 90 to 95 percent of people in the community that still have family and still do business on both sides of the [Rio Grande] river."

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Christopher Wilson

Christopher Wilson

Global Fellow, Mexico Institute
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Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more