The Tohono O'odham Nation occupies 75 miles of what is now considered the border between the United States and Mexico.

Despite the presence of the line, tribal members freely crossed the border for decades. Many come to the U.S. to receive health and education services. Others go to Mexico to visit relatives and make pilgrimages to sacred sites.

But a recent influx of immigrants has put a strain on the tribe. Although the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a presence on the reservation, the tribe spends millions of its own money on border-related issues.

Republican lawmakers are hoping to tighten up the border by building a 700-mile fence. But the tribe opposes the project, saying it will cause furthur damage to their homeland and make daily life harder for tribal members.

"A wall would create major problems for these native inhabitants," The Arizona Daily Star says in an editorial.

Get the Story:
Cultures divided (The Arizona Daily Star 9/24)
Treaty separated O'odham (The Arizona Daily Star 9/24)
Editorial: For O'odham, border fence poses real problems (The Arizona Daily Star 9/24)

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