Re-Imagining U.S. Border Law and Policy

Catalog description

The U.S.-Mexico border is a region marked by vibrant natural beauty, a welcoming culture, and defined by cross-border communities unwilling to let the border and its politics define them. But why is the border such a convenient muse for fear driven rhetoric, law, and policy? Beyond the headlines, U.S. border law and policy actually goes well beyond the border itself. Did you know one-third of the U.S. population lives within the 100-mile border zone? Did you know Border Patrol is permitted to consider race when stopping a vehicle? Did you know it was Border Patrol agents who abducted protestors off the streets of Portland in 2020? U.S. border law and policy is as much about policing and surveillance as about immigration. This course is for any interested student, no matter their major. It will explore the multifaceted elements of U.S. border law and policy, both related to arriving migrants and to Border Patrol's far and expanding reach domestically and abroad. Through guest speakers, seminar discussions, videos, and in-class simulations students will learn how the U.S. border operates on paper and in practice. We will explore together if we can reimagine border law and policies while grappling with today's political realities through engagement with a range of advocacy tactics. Students will leave the course with a deep understanding of border law and policy and analytical skills to apply to complex policy or legal issues, particularly those marked by politics. Class preparation and participation and a short final project are required.