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The headwaters of the Rio Grande are above Albuquerque, New Mexico. Beginning at El Paso the Rio Grande (also called the Rio Bravo del Norte) engages the emotions and drama of a natural boundary between two countries. West of El Paso and Ciudad…

Crossing route along the "no-man's land" and drainage ditch near the University of Texas at El Paso.

The Rio Grande, surrounded by vegetation on both sides. In the distance, a road and residential structures are visible.

The train yards in El Paso that border the Rio Grande are favorite crossing points for undocumented workers. The trains provide relatively easy and quick transportation out of town, and the yards provide many hiding and resting areas. This is the…

A dirt road stands between the border wall and a chain link fence outside El Paso. In the distance, a Ferris wheel documents the festivities in town.

An almost dry Rio Grande. Dried vegetation lines both sides of the river bank. The Rio Grande is often reduced to a trickle and can become difficult to recognize. Because of growing agricultural demand for the water, many irrigation ditches actually…

The canal, slightly obscured by vegetation, is bordered by a dirt road on the left. Most water from the river is used for irrigation. Canal reduces the flow within the river to minimal levels. As a consequence, many undocumented workers attempting to…

According to treaties negotiated between Mexico and the United States, shared waterways must maintain specific water flow. Instead of losing water to evaporation and seepage, hoses may be used to carry the required water across the border. These…

Fire damaged tamarisk (salt cedar) trees obscure the view of the Rio Grande.

As with many borders, conflicts arise. Ownership of the El Chamizal tract, consisting of 630 acres of disputed land between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, remained in dispute for nearly a hundred years. The issue involved the interpretation of how fast…

Hot spring and the ruins of a resort, which has been suspected of operating as a smuggling center for undocumented workers. In the background, mountains are visible.

These abandoned cotton fields on the Rio Grande between Ruidosa and Candelaria were flooded and overgrown. Several trees mark the end of the field, and behind them, large mountains extend towards the cloudy sky.

Side view of the new International Bridge at Presidio, Texas. The border is located at the break between the color of the cement.

Front view of the new International Bridge at Presidio, Texas. The border is located at the break between the color of the cement.

Several trees surround a small area littered with refuse and branches.

Three people walk along the left side of the bridge while dried vegetation and telephone poles are visible on both sides. In the distance, buildings mark the beginning of the town.

Two large shrubs mark the beginning of an irrigation ditch that leads downward. In this area, the Rio Grande is dry, and many aliens attempting to cross suspect this ditch to be the river.

Hot springs and the ruins of a spa along the north side of the Rio Grande within the "Big Bend" area of Texas and Coahuila.

An abandoned road overlooks the Rio Grande while small shrubs occupy the space leading to the river. In the background, the outlines of large mountains are visible.

Several Kickapoo huts stand on a dirt road. In the background, telephone poles are visible.