Glynn Custred

Glynn Custred is a professor of anthropology at California State University at Hayward. In the following viewpoint, he examines how American communities bordering Mexico have been adversely affected by illegal immigration. He blames illegal immigrants for increased instances of litter, property vandalism, crime, drug smuggling, and other problems. Efforts to stop illegal immigration in places like San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas, have resulted in new immigration problems in adjoining areas. Custred writes that rural property owners who have taken action against illegal immigrants have been improperly criticized.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How many illegal immigrants cross the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Custred?
2. What have been the effects of immigration enforcement efforts such as Operation Gatekeeper, according to the author?
3. What relationship exists between illegal immigration and drug smuggling, according to...