Defining a Secure Border

U.S. policymakers want to secure the nation's borders, but experts say that is an illusive and ill-defined goal.













More Eyes in the Sky

Immigration enforcement officials are set to deploy more drones along the nation's borders, in spite of concerns about effectiveness and cost.

Drug War Drags On

Federal and local officials say a flood of illegal drugs across both borders shows no sign of decreasing and makes the United States less secure.

Canada's Guest Workers

Canada's guest worker program has been touted as a possible model for the United States, but critics point out drawbacks in the system.

Canada Requires Housing

Under Canada's regulated guest worker program, businesses must provide worker housing. In the U.S., most workers find their own housing.

Health Care for Workers

Seasonal workers in Canada are eligible for health care, but getting care for on-the-job injuries or sickness can be problematic.

Slow Vs. Costly Health Care

Many patients struggle to find care on both sides of the border. U.S. treatment is expensive. In Canada, care is free but patients must wait.

In Search of Cheaper Meds

U.S. citizens are increasingly buying drugs from Mexico and Canada in order to save money. U.S. officials worry about safety.

Cross Border Cleanup

Over the past 40 years, the United States and Canada have worked together to clean up border region waterways, but new threats loom.

Living on the Borderlands

Security and immigration concerns have dramatically affected the lives of U.S. landowners living along the Canadian and Mexican borders.

Business on the Border

U.S. businesses along both borders depend on spending from foreign visitors, but security measures restrict the flow of people and money.

Tale of Twin Border Cities

Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Niagara Falls, Canada, have both struggled economically in recent years, but tourism has shored up the Canadian city.

Two Borders and the Meaning of 'Secure'

As huge amounts of attention and resources have been lavished on the U.S.-Mexico border, officials question whether it will ever be truly secure. Meanwhile, massive gaps in security along the U.S.-Canada border have largely been ignored.

While taxpayer resources have been lavished on the U.S.-Mexico border, little attention has been paid to the country’s northern border with Canada. The two border regions raise many of the same issues regarding security, economics, health care and immigration rules, but the approach to those issues varies widely.

 
Federal agents use advanced technology to identify, track illegal immigration

Defining a Secure Border

U.S. policymakers want to secure the nation's borders, but experts say that is an illusive and ill-defined goal.
A drone operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

More Eyes in the Sky

Immigration enforcement officials are set to deploy more drones along the nation's borders, in spite of concerns about effectiveness and cost.
The border between U.S. and Mexico, in rural Arizona.

Drug War Drags On

Federal and local officials say a flood of illegal drugs across both borders shows no sign of decreasing and makes the United States less secure.
Guest workers in Canada.

Canada's Guest Workers

Canada's guest worker program has been touted as a possible model for the United States, but critics point out drawbacks in the system.
Rojana Jamjai, 47, from Ubonratchanee, Thailand, talks at the Worker's Action Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, about her experience working in Canada as a guest worker.

Migrants Can Feel Isolated

Migrants in Canada's guest worker program say they often feel isolated, disrespected and cut off from the pleasures of life.
Guest worker in a field in Ontario, Canada.

Canada Requires Housing

Under Canada's regulated guest worker program, businesses must provide worker housing. In the U.S., most workers find their own housing.

Winston Morrison, 38, from Jamaica, talks about his experiences as a guest worker in Canada.

Health Care for Workers

Seasonal workers in Canada are eligible for health care, but getting care for on-the- job injuries or sickness can be problematic.
Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS Open CT machine in the new St. Catharines Hospital in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Slow Vs. Costly Health Care

Many patients struggle to find care on both sides of the border. U.S. treatment is expensive. In Canada, care is free but patients must wait.
A bulletin board in Algodones, Mexico advertises discounts on medicine.

In Search of Cheaper Meds

U.S. citizens are increasingly buying drugs from Mexico and Canada in order to save money. U.S. officials worry about safety.

Canadian geese on the Canadian shores of the Niagara River, across from Fort Niagara.

Cross Border Cleanup

Over the past 40 years, the United States and Canada have worked together to clean up border region waterways, but new threats loom.
A farmer surveys his fruit groves on land along the U.S. - Canadian border.

Living on the Borderlands

Security and immigration concerns have dramatically affected the lives of U.S. landowners living along the Canadian and Mexican borders.
Pedestrians pass by Kory's, a clothing store in Nogales, Ariz.

Business on the Border

U.S. businesses along both borders depend on spending from foreign visitors, but security measures restrict the flow of people and money.
Queen Street in Niagara, Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Tale of Twin Border Cities

Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Niagara Falls, Canada, have both struggled economically in recent years, but tourism has shored up the Canadian city.
Two Borders: Security

VIDEO: Two Borders and the Meaning of 'Secure'

As huge amounts of attention and resources have been lavished on the U.S.-Mexico border, officials question whether it will ever be truly secure. Meanwhile, massive gaps in security along the U.S.-Canada border have largely been ignored.

Published September 24, 2013.

The Cronkite School has been covering immigration and border issues since 2006 with the generous support of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

Buffett student projects include: Puerto Rico: Unsettled Territory | Stateless in the Dominican Republic | South Africa: At the Crossroads of Hate and Hope | South Africa Documentary | Borderlands Photo Essays | Divided Families (PDF) | Divided Families Documentary | Children of the Borderlands | South Africa Project |

 

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University | Creative Commons License