All the Border’s a Stage: Humanitarian Aid as Expressive Dissent

Abstract

Immigration enforcement along the Southwest border between United States and Mexico has long channeled migrants into perilous desert corridors, where many thousands have died, out of general public view. In response to this humanitarian crisis, activists from organizations such as No More Deaths (NMD) trek deep into the treacherous desert, hoping to save lives, honor the remains of those who did not survive, and influence public opinion about border enforcement policies. NMD’s activism is not merely utilitarian but also deeply expressive; ultimately, they hope to convey the message that all lives – including those of unauthorized migrants – are worth saving. The Trump Administration has escalated repressive tactics intended to silence these forms of border-policy dissent. Some federal land managers now blacklist NMD, preemptively denying requests for access permits. Meanwhile, the US Attorney’s office has aggressively prosecuted members for humanitarian activities. This chapter explains the expressive components of humanitarian activism in this context and of the government’s attempt to suppress it, suggesting the need for constitutional scrutiny and legal change.

Citation

Cade, J.A. (2020), "All the Border’s a Stage: Humanitarian Aid as Expressive Dissent", Sarat, A. (Ed.) Law and the Citizen (Studies in Law, Politics, and Society, Vol. 84), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 109-134. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1059-433720200000084008