A contentious issue surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border is the building of a border wall or a border fence.

With inflammatory political rhetoric plaguing the issue, there can be no middle ground. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and even a calm discussion in dorm lounges cannot avoid the suggestion of building a wall.

While many politicians, media personalities and journalists have boisterously stated their opinion, there is an unheard voice with deep concerns about the issue.

While in southern Arizona over winter break with the Student Leadership Initiative of the Embrey Human Rights Program, I had the opportunity to meet with and interview various actors in the border debate. In particular, my research focused on the effects of the U.S.-Mexico border on the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Inhabiting 2.8 million acres, with 75 miles of international border, the Tohono O’odham Nation is a key actor on the border, and it is important that their voice and their concerns are adequately heard when discussing the border issue.

The Tohono O’odham Nation is the only nation on the U.S.-Mexico border that has fully recognized nation members on both sides of the border. The border, created by the Gadsden Purchase and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in the mid-19th century, split the nation and its people in half, which has left approximately 2,000 O’odham citizens living in Mexico, where there is no comparable designated Tohono O’odham reservation.

As Verlon Jose, the Chairman of the Legislative Council, conveyed to our group, “We didn’t cross the border; the border crossed us.”

While the border split the nation, the two treaties recognized the rights of Indigenous Peoples to maintain land, culture and religion, regardless of political borders. The current U.S. immigration policies violate these treaty obligations, as well as the rights of the O’odham.

For the O’odham, the border fence debate is one of the most important issues that has resulted from the increased discussions of the border. The increased government presence on the border since Operation Gatekeeper in the 1980s and 1990s has already limited the O’odham’s ability to freely cross the border.

A barbed wire fence has been constructed that divides the reservation in half, and increased border patrol presence makes passing across the border difficult for tribal members, especially elders.

The fence inhibits the travel of the O’odham throughout their tribal lands and the checkpoints compound on these problems. Many of the issues arise from lack of documentation, border patrol harassment, and inconsistent policies of ICE towards the Tohono O’odham.

An open border is crucial to the tribe because of their particular historical and cultural circumstances. An open border is fundamental for the travel to sacred sites, which is vital for the preservation of kinship and traditional ceremonies, as well as to maintain culture. It is also fundamental for teaching O’odham children the language and the cultural practices.

In addition, the border splits families. Without an open border, family members in Mexico are unable to cross to visit family on the U.S. side. A closed border also prevents member from getting adequate health care. All members of the Tohono O’odham tribe, including Mexican nationals, are entitled to the basic services provided at the reservation clinic overseen by the U.S. government.

When discussing the border fence with Pete Delgado, the “Chief of Staff” for the Chairman of the Nation, he articulated, “We have not agreed to a pedestrian wall/fence: this would split our people in half, which is already happening by an international border.” Verlon Jose confirmed this opinion by saying, “We will never approve a human wall.”

Delgado did state that they have put up a vehicle barrier fence intended to decrease the level of drug-smuggling. Since the Tohono O’odham nation is ground zero for the drug wars, the building of these barrier fences shows that the nation is willing to work with authorities to combat serious issues plaguing the region.

While the border wall discussion shows no sign of slowing down, it is important to remember the people living along the border that will be directly affected by the building of the wall. We must respect the O’odham’s right to maintain their culture and religion, as well as to keep the promises made in the international treaties.

Jordan Johansen is senior history, music and anthropology triple major. She can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].