Every year since 1993, the U.S. Border Patrol has apprehended 1.2 million undocumented migrants on the U.S./Mexico border. Migrants cross the border to work in U.S. businesses or farms. Many U.S. companies thrive because of the cheaper migrant labor. Despite some economic benefits, the large number of illegal border crossings strains hospitals, threatens the health of those crossing, develops a black market for smuggling people and drugs, and creates difficulties for ranchers and border communities.

In an effort to squelch illegal crossings, the U.S. Border Patrol has increased its presence. In El Paso and San Diego, where migrants have found it easiest to cross, fences have recently been built. But instead of slowing the number of illegal crossings, the fences have pushed migrants into Arizona, New Mexico and less hospitable desert areas.

Responding to the growing frustration of border communities, the Border Patrol has submitted a proposal to construct 260 miles of fencing across the Arizona/Mexico border. The project includes building roads and surveillance lighting, and would effectively seal- off about three-fourths of Arizona’s border, leaving only severe desert and a narrow corridor in the Tohono O’odham Nation open to movement. This kind of border security raises serious questions about respect for human rights, Native American land, the environment, and fiscal responsibility.

There has been a big increase in migrant deaths along the border. Since fences were built in San Diego and El Paso, more migrants have crossed in remote areas, which pose a much higher risk to their lives and health. Since 1993 around 2,000 migrants have died, a significant increase. An Arizona fence will push people into the Sonoran desert, which the Border Patrol calls “the most isolated [patrol area] in the nation.” Border fencing will force migrants into the desert and heighten the risk to their lives.

The Tohono O’odham Nation spans both sides of the Arizona/Mexico border. Its people travel across the border freely. The fence would severely limit their movement. The proposal leaves a gap in the fence within Tohono O’odham land, but the tribe does not have the infrastructure to realistically use it.
The PC(USA) addressed their concerns in 2001: “That the 213th General Assembly officially support and affirm the resolution and request of the Tohono O’odham Nation, that the Congress of the United States of America amend the present laws and recognize the historic treaty rights of the Tohono O’odham people. This resolution and request seeks safe passage for the Tohono O’odham people across the United States/Mexico border, within the Tohono O’odham nation boundaries for members having proper tribal documentation.”

The fence would also endanger many native species. It is likely to distort migration patterns and habitats for the jaguar, oscelot, jaguarondi, Sonoran pronghorn, as well as endangered birds, bats, reptiles, and plants.
On a visit to Tucson in February, Interior Secretary Gale Norton, who oversees some of the land along the border, said, “I’m troubled by the whole concept of having to put a fence at the border, especially when you’re talking about something that could impact wildlife being able to migrate in their usual patterns.” The fence’s impact must be fully assessed before approving the project.

Finally, we are concerned about the stewardship of funds. The proposal does not include a budget, but it would certainly cost millions of dollars. It is not clear that it will effectively curb migration, and should be analyzed for cost effectiveness. Increased border militarization since 1996 has done little to decrease the number of migrants crossing into the U.S., and the number of migrant deaths has grown tremendously. Concerns for the freedom of the Tohono O’odham people, the environment, and financial stewardship suggest that the best solution to the number of migrants crossing the border lies in addressing the basic problem—the economic incentive of work in the U.S.—not a 260-mile-long fence.

“Transformation of Churches and Society Through Encounter with New Neighbors”

• Reaffirm[s] the guiding theological and ethical principles in the historical review of Presbyterian policy on immigration and refugee issues, and commit to rediscover its identity as a church of the stranger…
• Sovereign nations should exercise their authority to regulate immigration with a presumption toward generosity rather than restrictiveness… Restrictions on immigration should be enforced humanely… [The church] express[es] concern and encourage study of the militarization of our nation’s borders for the purpose of dealing with immigration.” (Minutes, Part I, 1999, p. 353)
  2001 Statement – The 213th General Assembly “officially support and ...recognize the historic treaty rights of the Tohono O’odham people [and] seeks safe passage for the Tohono O’odham people across the United States/Mexico border, within the Tohono O’odham nation boundaries for members having proper tribal documentation.” (Minutes, Part I, 2001, p. 494)