Browse Items (132 total)

View of a fence in an Arroyo between Monuments 95 and 96. A small dirt path runs along in front the fence and in the background, vegetation populates the landscape.

View of a fence near Monument Number 51, looking north. To the west, a two-track dirt road extends into the distance.

Fence near Monument Number 51 looking north east. Vegetation lines both sides of the fence.

A ferry carrying three cars crosses the Rio Grande at Los Ebanos. Several people also stand on the ferry.

Fire damaged tamarisk (salt cedar) trees obscure the view of the Rio Grande.

An abandoned road approaches a flooded area where vegetation has started to grow.

A dirt road leads to the gate at Taro's Ranch. Saguaros and shrubs are visible behind the gate.

Grass levee off U.S. Highway 281 with vegetation and pump station in background.

Remains of Old Plank Road buried under sand. A wire fence runs on the side of the planks, while footprints are visible in the sand.

View of the headgate where the Colorado River and Baja California meet looking south into "No Man's-land" along the border.

The Mexican-American border is constantly changing, not just by treaty, but by the persistent erosion of the Rio Grande. As a natural boundary, the river's channel determines the technical border between the two countries. Historically, the Rio…

Hot spring and the ruins of a resort, which has been suspected of operating as a smuggling center for undocumented workers. In the background, mountains are visible.

The character of the landscape along the Rio Grande is determined by its use, even if only as a place to cross. Millions of what were then pejoratively called"wet-backs," mojados, "illegal aliens," or more appropriately undocumented workers attempt…

Most automobile traffic crosses the Rio Grande at established bridge points at one of the fifteen sister cities. This "International Ferry" at Los Ebanos is the last hand-pulled ferry along the river. It can carry three vehicles per trip. Privately…

The canal, slightly obscured by vegetation, is bordered by a dirt road on the left. Most water from the river is used for irrigation. Canal reduces the flow within the river to minimal levels. As a consequence, many undocumented workers attempting to…

Two large shrubs mark the beginning of an irrigation ditch that leads downward. In this area, the Rio Grande is dry, and many aliens attempting to cross suspect this ditch to be the river.

Several Kickapoo huts stand on a dirt road. In the background, telephone poles are visible.

This abandoned section of the Rio Grande at La Chapena is being cleared of brush and turned into a settling basin for agricultural water.

View, looking east, towards Monument 63. Also visible are the effects of grazing habits with Mexico on the right and the United States on the left.

In 1907, by proclamation of President Roosevelt, all federal lands in California, Arizona, and New Mexico within 60 feet of the border line were set apart as a public reservation. Although this frontier is occasionally usurped by ranchers and…