The border that separates Mexico from the United States is known for the large presence of migratory groups illegals – mostly Mexicans – moving north in search of better conditions of life. For this reason, the US decided to build, as of 1994, a wall between the two countries and make it difficult for immigrants from the South to enter the country. This construction is popularly known as wall of mexico or Mexico/USA Wall.
The construction of the wall of Mexico by the United States represents, in terms, a contradiction. This is because the beginning of its construction took place in the same year as the consolidation of the NAPHTHA (North American Free Trade Treaty), an economic bloc that, despite being merely commercial, would have the function of providing a greater integration between the member countries which, in addition to the two countries mentioned, also encompasses Canada to the north (without walls, in the latter case).
Currently, the length of the wall between Mexico and the United States is approximately 1,130 kilometers, about a third of the border between the countries. In some points, it is a simple “wall”, not very high in height and with some protections on top. Elsewhere, however, it consists of two walls and a space between them where military and military vehicles pass. inspection, in addition to also having some observation towers and military prepared to, who knows, shoot down any possible invaders.
It is estimated that, since its construction, thousands of illegal immigrants they were stopped trying, in one way or another, to exceed the limits imposed by the constructed barrier. It is also estimated that thousands more managed to circumvent the limits and restrictions, managing to reach their destination: US lands. Another data says that 5,600 illegal immigrants died trying to cross the border, no necessarily in the built wall, with many of these deaths in the desert areas that are among the two countries.
Many criticisms are leveled at the Mexico Wall, which is inevitably compared to other walls that divide or divide the world, such as the Israel wall and the old Berlin Wall. Many analyzes claim that it divides much more than two countries, but two different “worlds”: a modern and developed one (but with problems in the generation of jobs) and another backward and underdeveloped, despite the economic and social improvements of the last decades.
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Another criticism leveled at the construction of this wall is the dual character of the US government, which has always barred the entry of the Mexican population, but which has not stopped. in sending to the country, especially in the border regions, several multinational companies and industries, which employ the local population under low wages and precarious conditions of work. In this context, several cities emerged in these regions, marked by accelerated urbanization, social marginalization, the intense drug trafficking and all the social contradictions of places marked by the concentration of income and the diversion of interests. Among these cities, the most obvious examples are Tijuana (see photo below) and Juarez.
Image of the city of Tijuana, bordering San Diego, city of the state of California
At some points, the wall separates cities and urban agglomerations historically built in that region. There are several reports of families and relatives who found themselves divided by the wall, without being able to obtain constant contacts after its construction. To increase the number of criticisms and complaints, environmental groups are added that accuse the border of separating animals from their food sources or their breeding areas, causing the reduction or even extinction of certain species.
Although such criticisms have taken place since the beginning of the construction of the Wall in Mexico, the US government has never given in to any kind of pressure. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, inclusive, then President George W. Bush intensified the inspection of the wall and the border, a fact continued by his successor, Barack Obama, which doubled the number of staff for surveillance and expanded some parts of the wall, renovating others.
We can say that, in general terms, the construction of the Wall between Mexico and the USA is one of the great milestones of political, economic and between the countries of the so-called “developed North” with the “underdeveloped South”, demarcating more than simply borders policies.
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
