The Center completed its eleventh annual border tour, beginning and ending in San Diego. During the week-long excursion we explored the rugged borderlands from the Pacific to Yuma, Arizona, winding our way from the ocean to the lush farmland where the Colorado and Gila rivers converge. Along the way we walked the glittering Algodones sand dunes, visited migrant shelters in Mexicali, and met with officials trying to manage the unprecedented influx of migrants.
Led by Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director, these tours provide an invaluable look at the chaotic situation unfolding on the border, the enforcement and processing efforts currently underway, and the immigration issue in a broader context. If you are interested in joining us on on our next tour, please contact John Wahala at [email protected].
Accounts, Pictures, and Videos of Previous Tours
Smugglers on the Border: Reflections from Yuma, San Diego, and Mexicali
Report from the Rio Grande Valley
Dysfunction on the Border: Report from West Texas and New Mexico
A Growing Border Crisis: A report from Arizona
Unrest in the Rio Grande Valley
Diligence on a Changing Canadian Border
Constant Activity on the California Border
A Washington Narrative Meets Reality
Border Tour Videos
Testimonials from Past Guests
"The trip is like doing a Rhodes Scholarship on steroids." -- Loras
"All I can say is top notch, incredibly well-done. These tours are can't miss." -- Jim
"These tours are intense and joyous adventures packed with knowledge, uncommon scenery, and ebullient mealtimes. The work done in preparation is awe-making. The folks at CIS take care of every detail, enhancing the roster of learning and experiencing with piquant extras. I, inveterate traveler, feel safe, confident, and dazzled from start to finish." -- Marion
“The trip was amazingly well managed. Those planning it arranged for us to see the border from so many different points of view -- U.S. side and Mexican side, urban and open country, two very different legal crossing points, the variety of ways the border can be breached, the nature of the two sides of the border in many different types of locales. We met with many interesting people working on both border and immigration issues. Excellent speakers gave us background history and current issues and problems. Intimate discussions with articulate Border Control Patrol agents and some of the people they interact with from other agencies.” -- Norman
"You promised we would not get the usual Border Patrol spin about how border security has improved, and you were right. We heard and saw at many dangerous border sites from local ranchers, a veteran customs agent, border residents and brave journalists who really knew their stuff, the dismal truth about how our federal government has failed to protect American citizens." -- Don
"We thought the arrangements to meet these extraordinary people were superb, as was the guidance and logistics on the entire trip. Thanks for all you did to make our visits such memorable experiences." -- Don
"It was an outstanding trip. So much experience and information packed into just a few days. Thanks for the excellent arrangements!" -- Sarah
"The various people we met brought into stark relief the magnitude of the problems the nation faces arising from illegal immigration." -- Allan
"Every American should come see the state of the southwest border." -- Linda