Dennis L. Soden

Terrorism's Role in Re-shaping Border Crossings: 11 September and the US Borders

This article assesses the effects of the heightened border security measures after 11 September 2001 (‘9/11’) on the primary ports of entry between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It asks: did the events of 9/11 change the region due to federal administrative response and was the socio-economic structure and high level of integration permanently disrupted? In the end, 9/11 impacts may be issues of relative impacts, the result of turbulence measurable at an economic level, but more profound on the social structure and exchanges that occur among residents of the region. The study provides an overview of crossings between the United States, Mexico and Canada, including detailed analysis on pedestrian, vehicle, vehicle passenger and cargo truck crossings to determine significant exchanges and movement as a result of the imposed terrorist watch strategy which was implemented at both US land borders.