HispanicVista Columnists

Tijuana-San Diego: The Binational Challenges” (5^th in a series)

From the Publisher's Corner

By Sal Osio, JD

 

There are several obstacles to the cohesive socio-economic integration of the binational community despite the tidal wave to the contrary. These challenges include: Economic disparity; U.S. Homeland security; Bigotry; Political distrust; Regional planning; and, Education.

In 2002 San Diego’s GRP was $126 billion compared to Tijuana’s $10 billion, a 12.5 to 1 ratio, despite comparable demographics. During the same period San Diego’s government budget (city and county) was $1.5 billion compared to Tijuana’s $180 million, a 9 to 1 ratio. (See www.signonsandiego.com and the Municipality of Tijuana government annual report.) This economic disparity is traumatic as one crosses the border into Tijuana: Shanty housing without utilities and sewer system; dirt roads without proper drainage; unpaved streets; disjointed property uses; rampant poverty; and, in general, third world country environment. The economic disparity is compounded by the fact that the central government of Mexico which contributes ½ of the City’s budget, based on Mexico’s federal system, consistently short changes the municipality by undercounting its population by almost one-half. One solution, therefore, is for Mexico’s central government to treat Tijuana on an even playing field with the other principal, but more influential, municipalities in Mexico. Tijuana needs a minimum budget of $300 million, 1/3^rd of San Diego’s, to supply essential services and sustain its orderly growth.

Following 9/11 the paranoia that engulfed our society and government had disastrous effects on the Border communities, particularly Tijuana and South Bay San Diego County. The delays in crossing back to the U.S., often 2 to 3 hours, disrupted the orderly flow of cross-border traffic, reducing the same by 1/3^rd of the normal, until recently. The fast track lane (“SENTRI”), additional gates and new border crossing facilities, already planed will alleviate this problem. However, to sustain the growth and economic integration of the binational community, a more orderly and expedient process is needed in checking the immigration status and merchandize transported at the U.S. border crossing. In this regard, Homeland Security personnel, particularly the former immigration officers, need to be retrained and screened to upgrade their performance and improve their people skills.

San Diego’s old- timer mentality which “remembers” Tijuana as the outlet for rowdy behavior and misconduct not allowed in the U.S., is a grave injustice to its neighbor, a slight which must be corrected. Tijuana is no longer a dead-end to San Diego. It is a burgeoning community inseparable from its northern neighbor. The binational manifest destiny is shared growth and prosperity. Only education and shared culture can correct bigotry. In this regard, San Diego’s younger generations have made great strides and the older, affected, generation is passing on, thereby assimilating the cultures with understanding and respect for each other.

Tijuana faces serious challenges with law enforcement. Its police department is notorious for soliciting bribes, particularly from vulnerable tourists. This problem is considerably improved under recent municipal administrations, but it still persists. Drug trafficking, money laundering and assassination of law enforcement personnel and killing of bystanders, must be eliminated. The kidnapping for ransom, an epidemic throughout Mexico, must be stopped. Law and order must be the priority of the new municipal administration, particularly, to combat the assault on the new mayor’s reputation – unsubstantiated criminal conduct for which he has never been charged formally. In this regard, the Tijuana elite are hopeful that the new mayor who desires to rehabilitate his image and aspires to higher political office, will improve the security and well being of the community.

The growth of Tijuana, almost 6% annually, dwarfs the growth of San Diego, which is exhausting its available resources, land and water, so that it if reaching a no growth plateau. With Tijuana’s population doubling in less than 10 years, the impact on San Diego will be significant. Issues of pollution, untreated sewer disposal which spills into the beaches, air contaminants, limited availability of utilities and water resources – these are major issues which must be addressed jointly. In this regard substantial progress has been achieved by the two governments thanks to the contributions of the San Diego Dialogue, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the Committee on Binational Opportunities, the Chambers of Commerce of both regions, Fundacion Internacional de la Comunidad, Tjuana Trabaja and the educational institutions on both sides of the Border.

No bond is cemented, albeit with economic integration, in the absence of cultural assimilation. There is no substitute for the understanding, tolerance and respect for each other’s values and cultural heritage. When a community bonds at the cultural level, socio-economic benefits follow. The binational community, through its emerging better educated younger generations, have made significant progress in acculturation, aided by the binational residents and assimilated Hispanic Americans. At the forefront of this movement is the binational educational sector: The Institute of the Americas at the University of California San Diego, the University of San Diego, San Diego State University and Southwestern College in San Diego; and, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California en Tijuana, Colegio de la Frontera Norte and Universidad Iberoamericana in Tijuana – in both venues assisted by numerous foundations and non-profit research groups.

For readers interested in more in-depth discussion and statistics relating to the above issues I highly recommend the outstanding publication “Blurred Borders”, authored by Richard Kiy, CEO of the International Community Foundation.

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Sal Osio, JD is the Chairman of the Board and Publisher of HispanicVista.com (www.hispanincvista.com). Contact at: sposio@hispanicvista.com