Perceived Border Security in the South Texas Border Region Among American and Mexican University Students.

• In Event: Race, Immigration, and Fear of Crime

Abstract

Misplaced obsessions with border issues, extreme ideologies, and the politicization of border security amplify the discourse of people’s fear of violence, immigration, and organized crime on the U.S.-Mexico border. Utilizing a mixed-method research design, this study contributes knowledge in this area by examining the perceptions of perceived fears among American and Mexican university students. Regression and thematic analyses examine the perception of living on the border, border safety, and border violence. Findings show what college students identify as border safety concerns, their views on the effectiveness of current border control policies and law enforcement intervention, and the needs of the citizens of border communities.

Author

• Citlaly Berenice Palau, Texas A&M International University