U.S.-Mexico Border: The Challenge of an Uncoordinated Federalism

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Mauricio Covarrubias
February 14, 2025

Increasingly, public administration practitioners, scholars and students must grapple with issues that transcend established political boundaries. The new generation of complex, interconnected problems demands improvements in decision-making not just within countries but also between them.

This kind of interdependence is particularly evident along the U.S.-Mexico border, a 3,000 km-long region that serves as the primary point of pressure for binational policymaking. This shared frontier is the epicenter of many of the most pressing challenges faced by both nations, yet the policy responses remain fragmented. While the border region is often the focus of governmental action, the problems affecting both countries cannot be solved solely within its confines or unilaterally by either nation.  What is needed is decisive leadership and a balanced mix of policies that acknowledge the transnational nature of the issues at hand. Until this is achieved, meaningful progress will remain elusive.

The border region is not just a geographical divide but a policy fault line that magnifies the consequences of inadequate coordination. Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican ambassador to the United States, aptly described this interdependence: “No country has such a direct, profound impact on Mexico as the United States. No country has such a profound and direct impact on the well-being of the United States as Mexico.”

Because of its prominence, the border often dictates the political and policy responses of both governments. However, rather than being seen as a policy boundary, it should be understood as an interface where domestic and foreign policy must align. The problems manifesting at the border—such as drug trafficking, organized crime, environmental degradation, water scarcity, natural disasters, migration and public health crises—are symptoms of deeper structural challenges that neither nation can address in isolation.

For both Mexico and the United States, federalism adds another layer of complexity to policymaking in the border region. The decentralized nature of government requires coordination not just at the national level but also across state and local jurisdictions on both sides of the border. Ingram and Fiederlein, in their article “Traversing Boundaries: A Public Policy Approach to the Analysis of Foreign Policy” note that domestic politics heavily influence foreign policy. When border issues weigh heavily on national political interests, unilateral action often becomes the default response. However, this approach limits the effectiveness of long-term solutions, which require sustained binational cooperation.

The increasing complexity of border issues also challenges the traditional mechanisms of governance. O’Toole, in “Treating Networks Seriously: Practical and Research-Based Agendas in Public Administration,” emphasizes that addressing multifaceted problems demands collaborative structures.  A fragmented approach undermines the effectiveness of federal systems on both sides of the border.  Greater coherence and efficiency can only be achieved through systemic coordination between Mexico and the United States.

A key realization is that no single governmental entity can manage the border’s challenges alone. The need for coordination is not just a matter of efficiency but of necessity. Two critical steps must be taken: First, both nations must acknowledge that the magnitude of border-related issues surpasses the capacity of individual governments within each federation.  Second, they must recognize that addressing these challenges requires binational engagement beyond ad hoc, reactive measures.

However, achieving meaningful binational coordination remains difficult.  Decision-making authority and political will are still anchored within national governments, meaning that comprehensive policies on both sides of the border are essential prerequisites for successful binational solutions. While federalism within each country necessitates internal coordination, the unique interdependence of Mexico and the United States demands a parallel level of coordination at the international level.

This tension is evident in the struggles of border state governments, which often bear the brunt of these transnational challenges without adequate federal support. Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson noted that state-level leaders on both sides of the border are forced to address binational issues with limited resources and little federal guidance. He argued that a shift towards comprehensive national policies would be far more effective than the current piecemeal approach.

Recent developments have continued to test the resilience of binational coordination.  Changes in immigration policies, trade negotiations, and security agreements have further highlighted the complexities of border management. Shifts in diplomatic relations between the two nations have influenced how effectively border challenges are addressed, with varying degrees of cooperation depending on political cycles and national priorities. While efforts have been made to improve coordination, the border remains a space where political tensions and policy gaps are most acutely felt.

Ultimately, resolving the persistent issues affecting Mexico and the United States requires a strategic, long-term vision that integrates national and binational policymaking. Although interdependencies within each country drive the need for comprehensive national policies, reluctance to extend this logic to binational coordination hampers governmental effectiveness on both sides of the border. Without national coherence, achieving binational solutions remains a formidable challenge.

The border is where the pressures of interdependence are most intensely felt, exposing the shortcomings of current policymaking. Without coherent national policies that enhance binational coordination, the border will continue to be a point of friction rather than a bridge for effective collaboration.

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Author: Mauricio Covarrubias is Professor at the National Institute of Public Administration in Mexico.  He is co-founder of the International Academy of Political-Administrative Sciences (IAPAS).  He is the founder and Editor of the International Journal of Studies on Educational Systems (RIESED). Member of the National System of Researchers of CONAHCYT.  He received his Ph.D. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.  He can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @OMCovarrubias 

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