Abstract

The Border Patrol State

The author used to travel the highways of New Mexico and Arizona with a wonderful sensation of absolute freedom as he cruised down the open road and across the vast desert plateaus. On the Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico reservation, where he was raised, the people were patriotic despite the way the U.S. government had treated Native Americans. As proud citizens, he grew up believing the freedom to travel was his inalienable right. Unfortunately, since the 1980s, on top of greatly expanding border checkpoints, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Border Patrol have implemented policies that interfere with the rights of U.S. citizens to travel freely within the borders. INS agents now patrol all interstate highways and roads that lead to or from the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.