Blurred Borders - International Community Foundation

Trans-national Communities Necessitate Greater Inter-Jurisdictional Cooperation:
Just as there is a need for greater binational collaboration among non-profits, it is critical that
municipal agencies throughout San Diego County and adjoining jurisdictions (Riverside, Orange,
and Imperial Counties) share lessons learned and best practices on the unique needs of
transnational migrant communities in their jurisdictions. Similar collaborations can also be
invaluable between Tijuana municipal officials and those in other parts of Baja California (e.g.
Mexicali, Rosarito, Tecate and Ensenada.). In the case of the Oaxaqueño and Mixteco
communities, there is a compelling need for the educators, social service and health
professionals serving Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Carlsbad to work more closely together
on common issues that they are confronting in addressing transnational migrant worker issues
and needs. Here expanded binational sister city relationships can prove fruitful. In the case of
Oceanside, a sister city relationship exists with Ensenada but little has been done to further this
institutional relationship. While this is so, Oceanside has much that it can learn from the work
of Ensenada-based non-profits and local agencies in addressing migrant worker needs in the San
Quintín Valley.
Investment in Migrant Education and Health Care Is Critical:
To address economic and social inequalities in the San Diego-Tijuana region, investments must
be made in improving the quality of education and health care options for migrant populations.
Today, a growing number of migrant workers and their families in both San Diego and Tijuana
originate from rural communities in extreme poverty, particularly the states of Oaxaca,
Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacan and Jalisco. As such, education-based nonprofits in both San
Diego and Tijuana are challenged by the constant movement of migrant youth. Health-related
non-profits face increasing demands to address diseases and ailments that would otherwise be
very preventable with effective health education. Here opportunities exist for San Diego and
Baja California-based groups to work in collaboration with non-profits in migrant-sending
regions to undertake expanded “cross-border case work.”
Promote Opportunities for Cross-Border Trade, Commerce, Tourism and Cultural
Exchange with Migrant-Sending Communities:
A unique opportunity exists to promote expanded trade, tourism and cultural exchange with
the migrant-sending communities of the San Diego-Tijuana region. Not only will strengthened
ties with these communities help local civic leaders better appreciate the unique needs of the
region’s migrant workers and their families, but expanded economic development and tourism
opportunities will, over the long run, decrease the compelling need for migrants to leave their
homes in the first place. In this sense, Carlsbad, Vista and San Marcos would be wise to
consider establishing sister city relationships with communities in Oaxaca, Jalisco and
Michoacan.
Philanthropy P lays a Critical Role in Addressing Unmet Border Challenges and
Needs:
Whether one is a regional funder or individual donor, the growing socio-economic pressures in
entitled to the derivative status, but they are unable to accept employment in the United States. Aliens entering
under this classification are considered non-immigrants.
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