Public Affairs and Security Studies Faculty Publications
As border enforcement expands, ‘colonia’ communities are left without basic infrastructure
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
Spring 4-30-2026
Abstract
The U.S.-Mexico border stretches nearly 2,000 miles, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast, and in recent months it has become the focus of unprecedented public investment. Billions of federal dollars have been allocated toward border enforcement, surveillance technology, and physical infrastructure. Yet just beyond this expanding border apparatus, many of the communities that live and work along the border remain disconnected from the basic public infrastructure that shapes daily life.
Along this vast corridor are thousands of unincorporated, economically distressed settlements known as “colonias.” These peri-urban communities—transitional zones or “fringes” surrounding city outskirts where urban and rural land uses mix—often lack paved roads, drainage systems, safe drinking water, and access to essential services. While colonias exist across all four U.S.-Mexico border states (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California), they are heavily concentrated in South Texas. These colonias are frequently described as “forgotten America,” and residents there face persistent poverty, environmental risk, and limited political representation despite living in regions with growing populations and economic activity.
This report examines why colonia communities along the U.S.-Mexico border remain disconnected from core public investments despite rapid population growth, rising federal spending, and increased regional integration. Focusing on the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, the report brings together demographic, economic, environmental, and health data to show how infrastructure deficits persist not as an accident of geography, but as a consequence of fragmented governance and misaligned policy frameworks.
By situating colonia conditions within broader patterns of border development and federal program design, the analysis highlights how current funding and oversight systems continue to exclude some of the fastest-growing and most vulnerable communities in the country—and identifies opportunities to better align public investment with on-the-ground needs.
Recommended Citation
Gonzalez, Andrik, and Tonantzin Carmona. 2026. As Border Enforcement Expands, ‘Colonia’ Communities Are Left without Basic Infrastructure. April 30.
