Social and Economic Interdependence in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region: Critical Implications for Social Welfare

The cities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico international boundary face common problems related to extreme levels of poverty and rapid population and industrial growth. The conditions in this region pose serious threats not only to the health and environment of the population, but also to their social well-being. These problems transcend international boundaries, a fact that cannot be ignored in the provision of social welfare assistance to these communities. The purpose of this article is to analyze the significance of U. S.-Mexico social and economic interaction for the provision of responsive social welfare. Strategies for cross-national collaboration that have emerged in response to the interrelated problems facing the border region are discussed.