Law and Security on the Border
The Trans-Border Institute (TBI) helps bring attention to issues related to the rule of law and security in the U.S.-Mexican border region. In addition to persistent challenges related to undocumented migration, drug and arms trafficking, violence, corruption, and property crime, the border region has recently been the source of concerns about international terrorism. Moreover, significant tensions between the United States and Mexico over a number of key issues (such as property rights, extradition, and the death penalty) sometimes complicate the bi-national relationship at multiple levels.
These challenges contribute to an often-exaggerated image of the border region as a lawless and dangerous place that lacks effective cooperation to ensure the rule of law and public security. Yet the United States and Mexico have a strong working relationship to ensure the effective rule of law and preservation of security, particularly in the San Diego-Tijuana region. In addition to regular cooperation through official channels for cooperation, close liaison relationships between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies help to promote strong ties and improve mutual understanding across the border.
TBI sponsors USD faculty research and initiatives that help to promote attention to legal challenges, law enforcement, and the protection of security in the bi-national region. For example, in November 2003, TBI sponsored a roundtable for over 50 law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges from both sides of the border and a lecture by New Mexico State University Professor José Z. Garcia on “U.S.-Mexican Collaboration in Law Enforcement and Security.” In May 2003, the Trans-Border Institute sponsored a lecture by UT-El Paso Professor Irasema Coronado on the murders of nearly 300 women in Ciudad Juárez.
Numerous USD faculty and students are interested in legal issues, law enforcement, and security issues relating to the U.S.-Mexican border. TBI has funded research projects from USD faculty and students dealing with issues of undocumented immigration, narco-trafficking, legal rights, and the death penalty. Recently, TBI has taken a special interest in the issues of migrant deaths and human trafficking (forced labor and sexual exploitation) along the border. In bringing attention to such issues, TBI attempts to promote serious research and dialogue from multiple policy and disciplinary perspectives.
In addition to TBI’s regular activities in this area, it is important to note that USD is the only one of San Diego’s three major universities that has a School of Law. TBI Institute works closely with faculty and students from the School of Law to promote research and events that bring attention to the important rule of law challenges in the region. In 2004-05, TBI funded a joint grant project at the USD School of Law and the Universidad Ibero-Americana to provide a guide for students and tourists to better understand their legal rights when visiting Baja California.