In September 2024, I joined the Truman Center’s 2024 Immigration Solutions Workshop, where a delegation of 20 leaders from across the United States gathered in San Diego and Tijuana. The experience provided a profound look into the deeply interconnected relationship between these cities and the multifaceted impact of immigration on both sides of the border.
Over two days, we met with U.S. and Mexican government officials, toured migrant shelters, and visited key sites at the border. The discussions and site visits illuminated the delicate balance required to uphold social and economic cooperation, while respecting each nation’s sovereignty. Officials in Mexico emphasized the need for increased support and information-sharing across borders. “We receive more pressure than support,” one official noted. “We need more collaboration to develop effective policies.”
The human face of immigration was particularly visible in the shelters we visited—two in Tijuana and one in San Diego. These shelters provide essential support and highlight the resilience and hopes of migrants who travel far in search of opportunity. In Tijuana, we visited a shelter serving Spanish-speaking families, serving 175 migrants daily, and since its opening has reached approximately 8,000 children in its small outdoor school. Families here often face waiting times of six to nine months. Another shelter, focused on serving Muslim migrants, was home to people from around the world speaking multiple languages.
In San Diego, we visited the Jewish Family Service (JFS) shelter, the region’s only migrant shelter. Since its founding, JFS has served over 235,000 migrants, providing essentials like health screenings, clothing, food, assistance in filing for a work permit, and transportation. Most migrants stay at JFS for less than 24 hours before continuing to their sponsors.
Our visit also highlighted the region’s deep economic integration. At the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), which links San Diego directly to Tijuana’s airport, we saw firsthand how interconnected the two cities are. Representatives from the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and officials from the Governor’s Office discussed how the flow of people across the border fuels the regional economy, supporting industries like retail, tourism, and agriculture. The economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico are vital, with bilateral trade reaching over $855 billion in 2022. Yet the strains on this relationship, increasing across all parties on both sides of the border, highlight the importance of effective and transparent cross-border collaboration.
One of the most poignant stops was at “Friendship Park,” once a binational meeting place for families separated by the border. Although now largely closed, the park symbolizes past efforts to create compassionate connections and the enduring challenge of shaping immigration policies that are both effective and humane. The visit underscored the critical need for policies that not only address security and economic stability but honor dignity and humanity.
The visit was an up close and personal reminder that immigration policies cannot be reduced to data and logistics. These policies must center on humanity and compassion—on both sides of the border—if they are to truly address the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world.
Do you have an idea of how we can bring leaders together around immigration in North Carolina? I’d love to hear from you – rachel.page@globalnc.org
Rachel Page is the Deputy Director of Go Global NC and serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the N.C. Coalition for Global Competitiveness.