The document discusses the difficulties faced by migrants attempting to cross the US-Mexico border. It describes Governor Wilson's policies in the 1990s that dramatically increased border security. It also discusses the landscape around Nogales, where migrants risk encounters with border patrol, police, drug smugglers, and vigilantes to cross. Some migrants find refuge in drainage tunnels but are preyed upon by adolescent groups. The migrant trail remains dangerous as people risk their lives crossing the border in search of better opportunities.

1. The Migrant Trail
Important Themes From the Ruben
Martinez Excerpt, “Crossing Over: A
Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail”

2. Wilson’s Legacy on Border Patrol
• California Republican Governor Pete Wilson
represents the “holding the line” mentality.
– Early 90’s California recession created loss of jobs
and company plant shut-downs.
– State political climate looked to expand Border
Patrol with 12ft high wall spanning 12 miles,
infrared cameras and googles, seismic and laser
sensors, and US soldiers with guns.

3. Nogales, Arizona/ Nogales, Sonora
• Beautiful landscape where migrants seeking better conditions in the US
looks for ways to cross the border but are encountered by Border control,
corrupt Mexican police, narcotics smugglers, DEA agents, and vigilantes.
– Reminisces of their journeys lie all across the land i.e. water bottles,
Mexican comics, torn clothing, excrement.
– Still some find ways to cross through the cutting of fences, crossing
private ranches, and underground tunnels.
– Indian Border Patrol agents look on with detached sympathy for those
trying to cross. They investigate, patrol and detain.

4. Barrio Libre
• Drainage tunnels home to these displaced adolescents looking
to make ends meet.
– They assault vulnerable illegals trying to pass through for
money, anything of value.
– Seek refuge at Mi Nueva Casa, a drop in center for kids
with limited funding. Kids can earn food, showers, classes,
guitars, clothes.
– Still they go malnourished, uneducated, and constantly
running to survive.

5. The Migrant Trail
• Crossing over for a better
life, job, opportunity…
• Many ways in which migrants risk their lives to
cross the boarder
• Political pressure to tighten the border
• In turn, increased security and
therefore, police corruption and
brutality, separation of families,