Within hours of assuming office, President Donald Trump declared an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, enabling him to allocate billions of dollars for immigration enforcement and wall construction. He has since reportedly encouraged Congress to approve an additional $175 billion for border security, surpassing the expenditure of his first term.
Over the upcoming months, border towns in Texas and Arizona are set to receive increased grants to fortify and equip police patrols. New wall construction projects will bring workers to these communities, who will contribute to the local economy by dining in restaurants, shopping in stores, and renting space in RV parks. Furthermore, the deployments of the National Guard are expected to bolster local economies.
However, if President Trump were to ask Sandra Fuentes about the primary need in her community on the Texas-Mexico border, her response would likely be safe drinking water rather than increased border security. Similarly, Arizona Mayor Jose Grijalva might highlight the necessity for a hospital in his border city, which has been without one for a decade.
Despite the influx of billions of state and federal dollars into the predominantly Latino communities along the almost 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, many remain some of the poorest areas in the nation. These towns often experience higher unemployment rates and lower income levels compared to areas more centrally located, with limited access to healthcare, underfunded infrastructure, and lagging educational resources. Security walls rise next to neighborhoods lacking running water, and National Guard units are stationed in towns without paved roads and hospitals.
Estimates suggest that around 30,000 border residents in Texas do not have access to reliable drinking water, among over a million statewide. For 205,000 individuals residing along Arizona’s border with Mexico, access to the nearest full-service hospital could be hours away.
These issues are not unique to the border, but the region starkly reveals the gap between the substantial investment from federal and state governments and the minimal reflection of such investment in residents’ quality of life.
State Representative Mary González from El Paso County, a Democrat sponsoring bills addressing water needs, noted that border security absorbs most resources, leaving little room for other priorities, such as water and wastewater infrastructure. She remarked on the lack of understanding of the experience of turning a tap without water flowing.
In Del Rio, Texas, and Douglas, Arizona, residents encounter government spending on border security while enduring persistent challenges to their community’s well-being.
Val Verde County, home to Del Rio, covers an area three times the size of Rhode Island and is several hours away from a major city. Approximately one-fifth of its nearly 50,000 residents live in poverty, a figure nearly double the national average. Some reside in colonias—rural areas along the U.S.-Mexico border, including illegal subdivisions lacking basic utilities such as water, sewers, or adequate housing.
The county has endeavored for years, using state and federal grants, to provide water to residents. Nonetheless, about 2,000 residents—over 4% of the county’s population—still lack running water, according to a database maintained by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. These residents must resort to using fitness centers for showers and washing dishes with water from plastic jugs only once a week.
Community organizer Karen Gonzalez expresses frustration about the lack of water access for Del Rio area residents, as her former colleague, Sandra Fuentes, works tirelessly to address the situation amidst limited funds and political barriers.
Over 30 years, Texas has allocated over $1 billion in grants and loans to supply colonias and other economically distressed areas with drinking water and wastewater treatment. Texas 2036, a nonpartisan think tank, projects the state will need nearly $154 billion by 2050 to meet water demands due to population growth, persistent drought, and aging infrastructure.
Texas state leaders continue to advocate for water projects and infrastructure investment. Governor Greg Abbott’s office announced plans to dedicate $1 billion annually for 10 years, with a long-term goal of ensuring reliable water access for Texans over the next 50 years. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows emphasized the importance of decisive investments to secure the state’s water future.
Both state and federal infrastructure funding challenges exist, with needs frequently surpassing available funds. Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of Rural Community Assistance Partnership, highlighted the competitive nature of obtaining funding based on readiness and application quality.
In Arizona, the lack of aggressive funding for border security compared to Texas still results in considerable allocations when border concerns arise. In 2021, the state established the Border Security Fund, assigning $55 million, later increasing to over 10 times that amount the following year. Former Governor Doug Ducey requested $50 million for border security, receiving approval for $335 million to erect a border wall, a proposal by Senator David Gowan, a Republican representing Douglas.
The ineffective container wall cost $197 million to establish and later dismantle due to federal trespass allegations. Although recouping about $1.4 million from selling the containers, resources could have been better utilized for community projects, argued Mayor Grijalva.
Douglas, with a median income of $39,000, fights to maintain services amid a decreasing tax base. The town faces a backlog in street repairs that could require $67 million, while generating only $400,000 annually for such improvements.
Cross-border traffic remains crucial to Douglas’ economy. However, increased border enforcement slows cross-border movement, deterring legal visitors due to fear of detention, negatively impacting economic activities.
Following Trump’s inauguration, Grijalva declared a state of emergency to potentially secure federal aid, should the city’s economy suffer. Attracting a hospital remains a long-term goal, with construction alone estimated at $75 million. Douglas’ prior hospital dealt with health professional shortages, exacerbated by its closure due to staffing issues.
Sheriff Mark Dannels, known for staunch border enforcement, benefits from state and federal grants for various security initiatives near Douglas, underscoring the ease of securing border security funds compared to addressing community infrastructure needs.
