The U.S.-Mexico border stands to become one of the world’s most militarized borders, even though the two countries are not at war. Massive increases in appropriations for border security have served only to decrease real security in the U.S., disrupting the quality of life and economies of border communities and eroding human rights in the region. Since the 1993 establishment of border control policies, at least 7,000 immigrants have lost their lives crossing the border.