Compassion in Times of Division: Witnessing Humanity at the U.S.-Mexico Border

At the U.S.-Mexico border, politics exert significant influence over migrant families. In the ongoing debate over immigration policies, opinions often overshadow the lives of migrants entirely. However, through the perspective of a humanitarian working at the Kino Border Initiative — an institution that provides direct aid to migrants and their families — we are reminded that compassion should not be viewed as a partisan value, but a human one.

For years, the United States has had growing concerns about unauthorized border crossings. Between multitudes of human trafficking, drug smuggling, and cartels exploiting unregulated pathways, both American communities and migrants are vulnerable to these dangerous smuggling operations. Statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) list that through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 to FY 2024, over 92% of fentanyl was confiscated at one of the border’s various entry points or at a checkpoint. Parenthetically, in FY 2023 alone, CBP’s Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations recorded nearly 549,000 pounds of illicit substances were seized nationwide — mostly marijuana and methamphetamine, with an increasing portion being fentanyl. Unfortunately, many cases of human trafficking go unreported, but an estimated 60% of Latin American children who attempt to cross the border are caught by cartels, and exploited through child pornography or drug trafficking. In FY 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided aid to 731 victims of human trafficking, and apprehended 639 individuals with known gang ties.

Additionally, there is also the inevitable strain on public resources when large quantities of undocumented individuals arrive without a structured process. Emergency shelters, local hospitals, and border towns are under intense pressure from sudden surges in migration — consequently emphasizing the need for a secure, orderly immigration system.

As a response to these challenges, physical barriers, entry requirements and tightened enforcement policies were enacted across several agencies that concentrate their efforts towards the same goal: to secure the United States’ borders, prevent illegal crossings, and restore sustainable order to a tarnished system.

In One of Many’s previous blog post, I highlighted the fiscal, social, and political effects of Europe’s mass immigration crisis. In addition to limited integration efforts, unregulated mass migration has created a sense of instability throughout many European countries. As a result, there has been a tragic rise of xenophobic and racist ideology that continues to spread throughout much of the continent. With native European populations feeling threatened, large remigration protests that promote division have erupted.

While right-wing politicians aim to “resurrect” national sovereignty and strategic necessity, this rhetoric also comes with a human toll. The United States’ policies such as Title 42, “Remain in Mexico,” and family separation have left thousands of migrants stranded — many forced to gather in overcrowded shelters or camps with reduced access to legal support or basic necessities. For individuals fleeing gang violence, fiscal instability, or persecution, these policies often create adversities, rather than providing opportunities. Daniel, a 19 year old intern at the Kino Border Initiative, witnessed firsthand how these policies failed to distinguish between threats and families. He describes shelters filled with people turned away at the border — “stuck indefinitely less than 500 feet from their destination.” From political asylum seekers to young children separated from their families, many are left navigating life with little support.

Daniel, 19, an intern at the Kino Border Initiative

Daniel met with Ricardo, an individual who was locked naked in a freezer; later beaten with electrical cords for refusing to sign documents he was not able to translate after being denied language services upon request. Daniel expressed his disgust, saying “the border is simply a callous testament to violent oppression.” In another case, a child’s melted sneaker was found in the desert — leaving a haunted reminder of the thousands who fall victim to the harsh climate each year trying to cross. These aren’t just stories, but people. In a system that treats them as less than human, suffering easily becomes a part of policy. Daniel passionately explained how he wished to “march into Congress and scream at the policymakers who create and then enforce this broken, inhumane system.”

However, despite the polarized rhetoric, there is a possibility — and need — for balancing immigration reform. Expanding work visas in sectors with labor shortages open the possibility of giving migrants lawful regulated paths to employment, and stable entry into the American workforce. Additionally, improved accountability within border agencies to prevent abuse and uphold the rule of law not only prevents future situations of abused power and violence, but creates a functioning system that is both secure and just. National sovereignty should not come at the cost of our values as American citizens.

The most powerful takeaway from Daniel’s experience wasn’t in the policy failures, but in the quiet moments that protested against them. Between teaching English with sticky notes and playing soccer, these small acts of connection sparked dignity and compassion. Dehumanizing rhetoric — whether alienating migrants, calling them “animals” or disregarding their struggle — fuels cruelty and underscores indifference. However, dignity cannot be negotiated.

“They are not ‘aliens’... they are our neighbors.”

— Daniel, 19, Humanitarian

We can and must draw the line at racism, xenophobia, and abuse. Upholding security should remain a priority, but embracing fear should not. The most prominent test of strength is how we treat those who are the most vulnerable.

If you believe in the power of compassion, you don’t have to choose a side to make a difference. The Kino Border Initiative operates at the heart of this crisis, serving migrants on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico line. Through sheltering, providing legal support, and educating those in need, Kino reminds people that they matter, that they are seen, and that they are accepted.

To learn more or support compassionate, dignity-centered initiatives targeting migration, consider looking into the work of the Kino Border Initiative, which offers direct support, advocacy, and accompaniment to migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. Whether choosing to donate, volunteer, or share their mission, your involvement helps reform a system often shaped more by enforcement than empathy. You can also visit the Resource Hub under One of Many’s Take Action tab for more ways to engage with justice-driven immigration work globally.