I'm a Teen Who Travels the World Photographing Borders Where Tensions Are High

The debate over construction of a wall to secure the border with Mexico tops the headlines. The border passes through mountains, hills, desert, plains, rivers, canals, sand dunes, cities and oceans. Every day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents risk their lives to serve us, spending their days in isolation, treacherous terrain, and extreme weather. My photography project chronicles the fence, the culture, and the people I encountered while on an 11-day journey with my family along most of the 1,900 miles of the U.S.-Mexican land border.Agents were kind to share their views on border security and the everyday challenges they face. Residents of both countries provided insight into their daily routines and their perspective on the border. As they shared inspiring and heartbreaking stories, I got a sense of the drug situation, hearing about it from the people whose lives have been affected the most. As I listened, the impact the border has on citizens, residents, immigrants and federal agents began to unfold.  Continue reading...