Reconceptualizing our misunderstood and undervalued southern border

The recent presidential debate provided a disappointing and frustrating display of rhetoric over substance, feelings felt by most American voters this presidential cycle. Former President Trump labeled our U.S.-Mexico border as "the most dangerous place anywhere in the world," while President Biden responded in silence with an open mouth and blank stare. Both candidates squandered an opportunity to spotlight the reality of our border communities.

As an elected official serving and living in Southern California on the U.S.-Mexico frontera, I can say with authority that our Imperial Valley-Mexicali border region is not “dangerous.” Although certain areas along the border do require additional security and attention, this generalized political hyperbole is misleading and detrimental to our burgeoning potential.

President Trump, of all people, should know better. During his presidency he visited and was welcomed with “Trump 2020” spelled out in an entire alfalfa field and chants of his name.

The reality is that this area is a unique, binational, bicultural nexus where the rural Americana charm of the Imperial Valley stands hand-in-hand with the bustling Mexican metropolis of Mexicali, the capital of Baja California, forming a symbiotic relationship beneficial to both communities and countries.

The Imperial Valley, known as the “winter salad bowl,” produces an estimated two-thirds of vegetables consumed in America during winter months. A recent report revealed that local agriculture supported over 19,000 jobs and contributed over $5 billion into the economy, nearly $14 million per day. We, through our farmers and field workers, feed the country. In addition, we proudly host the Blue Angels every year, a symbol of our safety and importance to national defense.

Meanwhile, Mexicali is rapidly growing and developing, especially under the leadership of Marina del Pilar, the first female governor of Baja California and former mayor. The city's population exceeds 1 million, surging by 12.1% from 2010 to 2020 and its international trade reached $13.8 billion in 2023.

Mexicali’s economic significance continues to rise, driven by sectors like electronics, medical instruments and motors, underscoring the intertwined nature of our diverse economies.

Yet, the presidential candidates, much like the media and other politicians, ignore these contributions as well as the real hardships experienced by fronterizos. Their focus on the spaces between ports of entry neglect the legal entryways utilized daily by honest workers, students, shoppers, families and visitors.

Every day, commuters endure excruciating wait times at our southern ports, impacting both our economy and quality of life. The Imperial Valley, designed and funded for a population of less than 180,000, is strained by the far larger number of legal travelers. The Calexico-Mexicali ports processed nearly 3 million border crossings in the first trimester of this year. Calexico, a city with a population of 40,000 that almost doubles on a daily basis, is frequently plagued by cross-border traffic jams due to chronic underfunding.

Research shows that delays to cross at ports of entry result in $3.4 billion in business losses. In addition, reducing wait times by a mere 10 minutes could lead to more than $312 million in additional commerce and the creation of over 18,000 jobs. These long wait times not only stifle economic growth, but also exacerbate environmental problems. Due to idling cars waiting to cross, delays result in an average of 457 metric tons of carbon dioxide released every day, equivalent to the consumption of more than 51,400 gallons of gasoline.

Attempts to address these issues, such as Assembly Bill 1945, have been denied and left us to struggle with environmental and logistical issues largely ignored by higher authorities.

Rather than describing our border with broad strokes of fear and panic, it's time for our leaders to start talking about the potential of our border economies and solutions to improve our gateways in order to build a smarter, modern border for the 21^st century.

As President Ronald Reagan aptly said during his visit to Mexicali in 1986, "I think we can all be grateful on both sides of the border. For one thing that has remained constant over these many years, the goodwill between our peoples. Good relations have been part of our past, they are an important part of our present, and will most assuredly be part of our future…In our relationship, clearly, we help ourselves by helping each other.”

Those vying for the presidency could learn from Reagan's words. Communities along the frontera, like my Imperial Valley, deserve respect and help, as well as vocal defenders who recognize and advocate for their significant role in our country and world.

Gil Rebollar, a lifelong resident of the Imperial Valley, serves as a councilmember on the Brawley City Council and represents the seven incorporated cities of the Imperial Valley on the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council. He can be reached at Grebollar@brawley-ca.gov. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Reconceptualizing the misunderstood U.S. southern border