Remarkably, in the heated lead-up to the U.S. presidential election, “Mexico” is barely mentioned. While the southern border and immigration dominate political discourse, Mexico—the other side of the border—seems to have vanished from the conversation. It’s treated as a mythical edge of the world, painted by some as a portal to chaos, teeming with dangers, as Donald Trump’s narrative suggests. Yet, what lies beyond is our southern neighbor and top trading partner, a nation deeply intertwined with U.S. prosperity and security.
During the September 10 presidential debate, Mexico was referenced only in passing, in relation to auto manufacturing and trade policy. There was no discussion of the outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the complexities of immigration agreements with his administration, or the arrival of President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. Topics like the USMCA trade agreement review, rising cartel violence, and Mexico’s democratic challenges were similarly absent.
This omission underscores how far the U.S. border debate has strayed from reality. Since launching his first campaign in 2015, Trump has weaponized immigration, presenting immigrants as scapegoats for the nation’s woes. While Vice President Kamala Harris critiques his rhetoric, she and other Democrats often concede to the premise of an “invasion,” arguing over who can better handle the supposed crisis rather than reframing the narrative. The political conversation rarely highlights that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens or that immigration fuels the economy, providing critical workforce support in a country with low unemployment and an aging population.
The Ignored Reality of a Unique Relationship
The broader truth is one rarely heard on the campaign trail: the U.S. is uniquely fortunate to share borders with Canada and Mexico, two stable, friendly nations. This geographic privilege has allowed America to focus on global influence without the existential threats faced by other continental powers. Yet, the U.S. has consistently underappreciated this advantage, sidelining Mexico in national security and foreign policy discussions.
Despite friction over immigration, trade, and cartels, the U.S.-Mexico relationship should be celebrated. My hometown of Phoenix exemplifies this dynamic. As part of “MexUs,” the culturally and economically vibrant region spanning from California to the Texas Gulf Coast, this area reflects the deep integration of the two nations. If MexUs were its own country, it would house over 85 million people and rank as the third-largest economy in the world.
This harmonious coexistence is an anomaly in global geopolitics. Elsewhere, land disputes far smaller than the U.S.-Mexico border have fueled ongoing hostility. Yet here, what could be a historical flashpoint has evolved into a collaborative partnership. This dynamic should inspire gratitude and a greater commitment to nurturing the relationship.
Rethinking the Border Crisis
If the southern border were truly the existential threat Trump and his allies portray, the U.S. wouldn’t rely on a federal law enforcement agency (CBP) with fewer officers than the NYPD to manage it. Nor would immigration policy remain a disjointed mix of signs reading, “Do Not Trespass” and “Help Wanted: Inquire Within.”
This muddled approach comes at a cost. Millions of undocumented workers contribute to the economy while living in the shadows, due to a lack of adequate legal pathways for immigration. The asylum process, overwhelmed and misused, highlights the need for a functional system. Spikes in border crossings strain public services and infrastructure, but these are solvable problems with the right political will.
Beyond managing immigration, the U.S. should work with Mexico to craft a North American migration policy that reflects regional interdependence. Over half of those crossing the southern border come from countries beyond Mexico, driven by crises in Central and South America. A coordinated approach, akin to the European Union’s migration policies, would address the root causes of migration while strengthening North America’s economic and social stability.
Immigration as an Asset, Not a Threat
Immigration has always been a cornerstone of U.S. strength. Yet, political rhetoric increasingly frames it as a liability. Trump’s proposals to deport millions of hardworking immigrants are more than impractical—they risk creating a real crisis by destabilizing communities and further polarizing the nation.
To avoid this, leaders must reframe immigration as the blessing it is, managing it with pragmatism and humanity. The U.S.-Mexico relationship, similarly, should be leveraged as a strategic asset, rather than reduced to a political talking point.
If the current trajectory of politicizing immigration continues, the fabricated crisis may one day give way to an actual one, undermining the very principles that have made the U.S. a global powerhouse. It’s time to move past fear-mongering and begin solving the real challenges facing our border and beyond.
