Wall or no wall, deeply intertwined social, economic, business, cultural, and personal relationships mean the US-Mexico border is more like a seam than a barrier, weaving together two economies and cultures.
[A] challenging book ... Mr. Selee argues compellingly that the remittances sent from immigrants to the U.S. to relatives who remain in Mexico have a long-term restraining effect on migration ... Mr. Selee’s indifference to religion makes his account of cultural interchange imperfect. ... [Vanishing Frontiers is a] salutary, minatory work
Mr Selee’s enthusiasm for the ground-level views of the characters who are quietly building Mexican-US ties can make him seem a softie. But he is painstakingly even-handed.
[Selee] examines economic, political, and cultural trends that might allay their worries... instantly comprehensible... An evenhanded, reasoned contribution to an overheated discussion.
