Kumeyaay Nation strengthens cross-border ties

Thursday, March 20, 2008  

Faced with more restrictions on border-crossings, the tribes of the Kumeyaay Nation in the United States have come together to help their relatives who live in Mexico.

The tribes in 1988 formed the Kumeyaay Border Task Force. The group worked with the Mexican government to ensure that Kumeyaay in Mexico, many of whom lack birth certificates, obtained Mexican passports.

The tribe negotiated with U.S. immigration officials to ease the border-crossing process. Kumeyaay from Mexico can now stay up to six months in California.

The effort has helped preserve cultural ties among the Kumeyaay people. Tribal members on the U.S. side have been able to teach their Mexican relatives bird songs and traditional games. Mexican relatives have a stronger grip on the Kumeyaay language and have brought more arts and crafts to the U.S.

The task force is now looking at ways to help their Mexican relatives work at Kumeyaay casinos in southern California.

Get the Story:
As U.S. border fence rises, a tribe tightens ties (Reuters 3/19)
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