The US-Mexico border fence stretches into the countryside near Nogales, Arizona, in March 2013.
The United States’ southern border with Mexico is 1,933 miles long, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the tip of South Texas.
Some 700 of those miles have fencing in place.
That’s not enough for President Donald Trump, who promised during his campaign to build a border wall.
Photographer John Moore has driven “every inch” of the border while covering the immigration issue for over a decade. He’s spent time on both sides, tagging along with Border Patrol agents and migrants.
Through his photos, you can see how the fencing varies greatly on different parts of the border.
People in Tijuana, Mexico, enjoy a late afternoon on the beach in September 2016.
A fog hovers over the Rio Grande near La Grulla, Texas, in December 2015.
Out west, between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, there’s high double fencing to deter people from crossing illegally. Part of the fence goes right through the beach and continues into a section of the Pacific Ocean.
Further east, in Texas, there’s often no fencing at all. The Rio Grande and the rugged terrain around the river serve as a natural barrier.
In between, there’s an assortment of fences with different shapes, sizes and materials. These fences do not all connect to form one continuous line. There are some areas that have no fencing at all.
A US Border Patrol vehicle monitors an opening in the border fence near McAllen, Texas, in January 2017.
But US Border Patrol agents have all sorts of high-tech surveillance equipment to help them, from motion-sensor cameras to drones to tethered aerostat balloons that fly high over the border and provide a 360-degree view of the border 24/7.
“There's no doubt that fencing is a deterrent, but it's just part of a larger, more holistic approach that Homeland Security takes toward border security,” Moore said.
Here’s what the border looks like in different cities along its path, from west to east:
San Diego, California
The border fence separating San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico, extends into the Pacific Ocean in May 2017. Moore said the area is heavily surveilled from the American side, with tower-mounted cameras and frequent helicopter patrols. “Occasionally someone tries to swim around the fence, but often they have to get rescued or they are quickly taken into custody by Border Patrol agents,” he said. “It’s one of the most secure spots of the entire US-Mexico border.”
The fence separating San Diego, left, from Tijuana stops at the side of a large hill in May 2017. “Customs and Border Protection often does not have agents all along the border,” Moore said. “However, they know the terrain features of certain regions. So although many undocumented immigrants can actually cross over the border, the terrain often funnels people through certain areas. And that's where the Border Patrol frequently sets up its checkpoints.”
Tijuana, Mexico
A US Coast Guard patrol is seen from Tijuana as it flies over border fencing in November 2018.
Migrants shower outside a temporary shelter that was set up near the border fence in November 2018.
Maria Elena Carrillo holds her 3-year-old daughter, Camilla Escalante, while speaking through the border fence in Tijuana in May 2016. The US Border Patrol tightly controls the San Diego side, and during specific weekend hours it allows visitors to speak to loved ones through the fence at an area called Friendship Park.
Jacumba Hot Springs, California
A US Border Patrol vehicle patrols the fence in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, in September 2016. “In certain areas there still exists what's known as landing-mat fencing,” Moore said. “The landing mats are corrugated metal of, in fact, surplus material from the Vietnam War, which originally were intended to be used as landing mats for helicopters in Vietnam and was later repurposed as US-Mexico border fencing. … The landing-mat fencing is shorter in height and you can't see through it, which causes difficulties for Border Patrol agents because they can't physically see what's on the other side.”
The border fence stops at a hillside in Jacumba Hot Springs in September 2016.
Mexicali, Mexico
A painting of an Aztec warrior adorns the Mexican side of this fence in September 2016. Since 2007, Moore said, the US government has been working to replace this kind of landing-mat fencing because of the dangers it poses to Border Patrol agents. One danger is “rocking incidents,” where people on one side of the fence throw large rocks at agents who can’t see them from the other side.
Felicity, California
A US Border Patrol agent walks along the border at the Imperial Sand Dunes, near Felicity, California, in November 2016. The 15-foot border fence, also known as the “floating fence,” sits atop the dunes and moves with the shifting sands.
Mexico is seen over the border fence at the Imperial Sand Dunes in November 2016.
Tohono O'odham Reservation, Arizona
Young men walk along the Mexican side of the fence in a remote area of the Sonoran Desert, near the Tohono O'odham Reservation in Arizona in December 2010. “In Arizona, I've photographed hundreds of miles of what's known as a vehicle barrier,” Moore said. “It's essentially a series of bars in the ground that keep vehicles from coming across. But they do nothing to stop people. This type of fencing is mostly used in remote areas.”
Nogales, Arizona
Children on the Mexican side of the fence look into Nogales, Arizona, in July 2018.
US Border Patrol ranch liaison John "Cody" Jackson, right, rides with cattle rancher Dan Bell on Bell's ZZ Cattle Ranch in March 2013. Jackson meets regularly with local ranchers to coordinate the agency's efforts on border issues.
The border fence is seen at sunset in Nogales in July 2018.
Sunland Park, New Mexico
Different forms of fencing meet at the border near Sunland Park, New Mexico, in August 2017.
A border marker stands along the fence in October 2016. Workers were upgrading the fencing in the area to combat smugglers and illegal crossings.
El Paso, Texas
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is seen from the Texas side of the border in October 2016. The Rio Grande serves as the border here. "The Rio Grande is a natural border, has been since 1848, and the ties between cities and towns on either side are strong,” CNN’s Gregory Krieg reported.
Fort Hancock, Texas
The U.S.-Mexico border fence stops while passing through farmland near Fort Hancock, Texas, in October 2016. Throughout vast stretches of West Texas, the fence starts and stops along the bank of the Rio Grande, which is often nearly drained due to crop irrigation.
Lajitas, Texas
Golfers play near the border in October 2016. The top-rated course Black Jack's Crossing, at the luxury Lajitas Golf Resort, was opened in 2012 and built on the banks of the Rio Grande in Texas' remote and rugged Big Bend region.
The Rio Grande winds through the Santa Elena Canyon in the Big Bend region near Lajitas in August 2017. Big Bend is a formidable natural barrier, Moore said, that doesn’t require the manpower and border security of more urban areas. But some people still try to cross it “because that's where the Border Patrol is not. So even as we've seen the number of border crossers decrease over the last 20 years, the number of deaths while crossing the border has not decreased.”
La Joya, Texas
US Border Patrol agent Sal De Leon stands near a section of the border fence while on a patrol in La Joya, Texas, in April 2013. La Joya is in the Rio Grande Valley, which Moore says has sporadic fencing because of the river and is the No. 1 area for border crossings.
Mission, Texas
A man returns to the Mexican side of the border after washing his horse in the Rio Grande, near Mission, Texas, in July 2014. Migrants typically cross the river by raft, Moore said.
A Customs and Border Protection helicopter flies over the border in Mission in November 2018.
McAllen, Texas
US Border Patrol agents question undocumented immigrant families while taking them into custody near McAllen, Texas, in February 2018. A group of men, women and children from Central America had crossed the Rio Grande to seek asylum.
A US Border Patrol agent removes a ladder that undocumented immigrants used to climb a border fence near McAllen in October 2016. “One of the challenges with relying on fences and potentially walls is that bigger ladders can be built,” Moore said.
Brownsville, Texas
The Mexican border town of Matamoros is seen on the Rio Grande, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in May 2013. The Rio Grande Valley has lots of dense mesquite thickets near busy population centers, and that often provides easy hiding spots for people trying to cross the river, Moore wrote in his recent book “Undocumented.”
John Moore is a Getty Imagesphotographer based in New York. He has spent the past decade covering immigrationfrom both sides of the US-Mexico border.Follow him on Instagramand Twitter.
Photo editor: Brett Roegiers
FAQs
What is the border between US and Mexico? ›
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Mexico–United States border | |
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Characteristics | |
Length | 3,145 kilometers (1,954 mi) |
History | |
Current shape | December 30, 1853 |
More than 224,000 persons naturalized in FY 2022 Q2 (see Table 3), a 12 percent increase from FY 2021 Q2, when almost 200,000 persons naturalized. These 2022 data for Q2 represent a return to pre-COVID levels.
Why was there a boundary dispute between the US and Mexico? ›Between independence and annexation, Texas sought to expand its territory in the west, and Mexico sought to reintegrate Texas, resulting in competing land claims and an ill-defined border between the two.
How did the boundaries change between Mexico and the United States? ›By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including the present-day states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming.
Can you swim around the border? ›“Any attempt to swim around the international border is extremely dangerous for even the most experienced swimmers.” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke.
How many US borders does Mexico have? ›There are four states that border Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Mexico is the country to the south of the United States. All of the states that now border Mexico were once part of Mexico.
How many legal immigrants Does the US accept each year? ›The body of law governing U.S. immigration policy is called the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The INA allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year across various visa categories.
Where did most immigrants come from in the US? ›Mexico is the top origin country of the U.S. immigrant population. In 2018, roughly 11.2 million immigrants living in the U.S. were from there, accounting for 25% of all U.S. immigrants. The next largest origin groups were those from China (6%), India (6%), the Philippines (4%) and El Salvador (3%).
When did us buy land from Mexico? ›This treaty, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war between the United States and Mexico. By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including the present-day states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming.
How did Mexico lose Texas? ›In 1845 the U.S. annexed the Republic of Texas, which had won de facto independence from Mexico in the Texas Revolution (1835–36). When U.S. diplomatic efforts to establish agreement on the Texas-Mexico border and to purchase Mexico's California and New Mexico territories failed, expansionist U.S. Pres. James K.
Is Mexico in the United States Yes or no? ›
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico.
How old is the U.S.-Mexico border? ›When we speak of the U.S.-Mexico border, formally established in 1848, we have to consider that it's both a physical space as well as an ideological representation of two different places. For much of its history, humans flowed somewhat seamlessly through this physical space.
Why did Mexico sell land to the US? ›Santa Anna refused to sell a large portion of Mexico, but he needed money to fund an army to put down ongoing rebellions, so on December 30, 1853 he and Gadsden signed a treaty stipulating that the United States would pay $15 million for 45,000 square miles south of the New Mexico territory and assume private American ...
Where does the border start and end? ›The Mexico–United States border stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Gulf of Mexico in the east. Border states include the Mexican states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. U.S. states along the border are California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
What are you not allowed to cross the border with? ›Examples of restricted items include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by products, and some animals.
How far does the border fence go into the ocean? ›The section of border fence that extends about 300 feet into the Pacific Ocean is one of the most closely watched parts of the 1,900-mile border.
What does border patrol look for when crossing? ›Border Patrol may stop vehicles at certain checkpoints to: (1) ask a few, limited questions to verify citizenship of the vehicles' occupants and (2) visually inspect the exterior of a vehicle. Agents may send any vehicle to a secondary inspection area for the same purpose: brief questioning and visual inspection.
Who owns the border between US and Mexico? ›The federal government is indeed the largest landowner in the region, but most of the land itself is privately owned. And lots of those owners are against building a border wall.
Can you cross the U.S.-Mexico border? ›U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Which US city is closest to Mexico border? ›Less than 20 minutes from the city of San Diego, Tijuana Mexico is the gateway to the tourist corridor of Baja California. Recognized as one of the world's most visited cities, with more than 40 million border crossings each year, Tijuana is an energetic hub of activity day and night.
Where do most immigrants in the UK come from? ›
London has the largest number of migrants among all regions of the UK, 3,346,000 – or 37% of the UK's total foreign-born population. In the year ending June 2021, India was – once again – the most common country of birth for migrants (896,000) in the UK.
How many foreigners live in UK? ›There are fewer foreign nationals living in the UK than there are people born in other countries. In 2021 there were approximately 6.0 million people with non-British nationality living in the UK and 9.6 million people who were born abroad. The UK's migrant population is concentrated in London.
How many people immigrate to the UK every year? ›The UK has experienced broadly similar levels of migration compared to other high-income countries, on average over the past few decades. Net migration to England and Wales averaged 200,000 per year between the 2011 and 2021 Censuses, including British citizens.
What is the easiest way to immigrate to USA? ›Spouses of US Citizens
Being a US citizen's spouse is the fastest, easiest way to immigrate to the US. However, this is the most common source of immigration fraud. The law requires both spouses to file a joint petition two years later, proving the marriage is still valid to prevent immigration fraud.
The United States is home to the highest number of immigrants in the world. An estimated 50.6 million people in the United States—a bit more than 15% of the total population of 331.4 million—were born in a foreign country. The number of immigrants in the U.S. has increased by at least 400% since 1965.
Which country has the highest immigration rate? ›The United States is home to the largest number of immigrants—over 50 million—which now make up 15% of the country's population.
When did the US stop allowing immigrants? ›In the 1920s restrictive immigration quotas were imposed, although political refugees had special status. Numerical restrictions ended in 1965. In recent years the largest numbers have come from Asia and Central America.
Why do so many people move to America? ›Why do people move to America? There are a significant amount of reasons one may want to immigrate to the United States. It is common for individuals to move based on a job opportunity, a loved one, or simply because they are seeking to live out the 'American Dream'.
Why did the English immigrate to America? ›English immigrants' stories are perhaps the best-known: Most came to America for economic reasons, but some, such as the Puritans, came seeking religious freedom. They settled along the East Coast, primarily in the region now known as New England.
Why was Mexico angry about Texas? ›Mexicans had overthrown the Spanish and wanted to prove they were capable of running all the territory they had won from Spain. Mexico also feared a domino effect—that giving up Texas would lead to the loss of their other northern territories.
Why did Mexico owe money to France? ›
During the war, France (with the assistance of the United States) blockaded Mexican ports thus crippling the economy. Three months later, Mexico agreed to pay France 600,000 pesos in compensation.
Why did the US pay Mexico 15 million dollars? ›Mexico Surrenders
Mexico also gave up all claims to Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as America's southern boundary. In return, the United States paid Mexico $15 million and agreed to settle all claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico.
Mexico owed money to several Nations including Spain, England and France. 6. Due to ongoing political unrest caused by many groups struggling for power, Mexico was not able to pay back its loans.
Who sold Texas to the US? ›Under the terms of the treaty, Mexico ceded to the United States approximately 525,000 square miles (55% of its prewar territory) in exchange for a $15 million lump sum payment, and the assumption by the U.S. Government of up to $3.25 million worth of debts owed by Mexico to U.S. citizens.
Who originally wanted to invade Mexico? ›The French intervention in Mexico, initially supported by the United Kingdom and Spain, was a consequence of Mexican President Benito Juárez's imposition of a two-year moratorium of loan-interest payments from July 1861 to French, British, and Spanish creditors.
Is Mexico part of NATO? ›No. NATO is an open-ended commitment and requires troops in offensive capacity in other countries. This is not the Mexican way.
Is Mexico a rich country? ›The economy of Mexico is a developing market economy. It is the 15th largest in the world in nominal GDP terms and the 13th largest by purchasing power parity, according to the International Monetary Fund. Since the 1994 crisis, administrations have improved the country's macroeconomic fundamentals.
Which country does Mexico belong to? ›Mexico belongs geographically to North-America, ethnological it belongs to Latin America. Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. About 70% of the people live in urban areas.
When did Mexico abolish slavery? ›The Underground Railroad also led to Mexico. The Underground Railroad also ran south—not back toward slave-owning states but away from them to Mexico, which began to restrict slavery in the 1820s and finally abolished it in 1829, some thirty-four years before Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
Can you see Mexico from El Paso? ›The view is, of course, beautiful any time of day but when the sun goes down and all the city lights come on it is completely breathtaking. The overlook is just so amazing that you can even see Mexico and all of El Paso from it.
Who won the Mexican American war? ›
The United States Army won a grand victory. Although suffering 13,000 killed, the military won every engagement of the war. Mexico was stripped of half of its territory and was not consoled by the monetary settlement.
Why did Mexican American lose their land? ›By the end of the 19th century, many Mexican Americans had been deprived of their land, and found themselves living unprotected in an often hostile region. At the turn of the 20th century, the borderlands between Mexico and the U.S. were torn by political and social instability.
Why did Texas leave Mexico? ›The most immediate cause of the Texas Revolution was the refusal of many Texas, both Anglo and Mexican, to accept the governmental changes mandated by "Siete Leyes" which placed almost total power in the hands of the Mexican national government and Santa Anna.
When did Mexico lose Texas? ›Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836. Initially, the United States declined to incorporate it into the union, largely because northern political interests were against the addition of a new state that supported slavery.
Can you swim around the border? ›“Any attempt to swim around the international border is extremely dangerous for even the most experienced swimmers.” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke.
What is the longest open border in the world? ›The international land border between the United States and Canada is the longest in the world at almost 8,900 kilometers. It includes the border between Canada and the continental U.S. as well as the border between Alaska and northern Canada.
How many U.S.-Mexico border crossings are there? ›There are 48 U.S.–Mexico border crossings, with 330 ports of entry. At these points of entry, people trying to get into the U.S. are required to open their bags for inspection. Border crossings take place by roads, pedestrian walkways, railroads and ferries.
Can a US citizen cross the Mexican border? ›U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Which US city is closest to Mexico border? ›Less than 20 minutes from the city of San Diego, Tijuana Mexico is the gateway to the tourist corridor of Baja California. Recognized as one of the world's most visited cities, with more than 40 million border crossings each year, Tijuana is an energetic hub of activity day and night.
What do US immigration officers see on their screen? ›Any criminal history. Your citizenship status. Family members and relatives. Various types of tax information such as any Delinquent Tax payments.
When you cross the border what do they check for? ›
When a border agent scans your passport, the computer system runs your information against the NCIC database and flags any active arrest warrants. The NCIC is not comprehensive, and not all active arrest warrants are present in its database.
Can a US citizen be denied entry? ›U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry to the United States for refusing to provide passwords or unlocking devices. Refusal to do so might lead to delay, additional questioning, and/or officers seizing your device for further inspection.
Can I drive from California to Mexico? ›If you have a valid driver's license for any U.S. state, you can legally drive across the border to Mexico.
What is the safest border town in Mexico? ›LAREDO, Texas (Border Report) — Two South Texas cities on the Mexican border have been named among the top 20 “safest cities” in America, according to a recent survey. Laredo is listed as No. 3 in the 2022 Safest Cities in America survey out this week by WalletHub.
Is Mexico closer to California or Texas? ›Rank | US State | Border Length in miles |
---|---|---|
1 | California | 140.4 mi |
2 | Arizona | 372.5 mi |
3 | New Mexico | 179.5 mi |
4 | Texas | 1,241.0 mi |