with Stephanie Bohon (Sociology); Dawn Duke (Spanish); Bertin Louis (Anthropology); Solange Muñoz (Geography) 

In the early nineties, many believed that the shift toward a more “globalized world” would lead to the tearing down of barriers and the promotion of a “global village” of sorts, where people around the world would embrace diversity and live harmoniously.  Almost three decades later over 65 countries have erected fences on their borders — compared to 16 in 1990.  There are many reasons why these boundaries exist (the most common being the need to control who goes in or out of a country). Yet other experts argue that their main function is theatre, to provide only the sense of security against a so-called external “threat.”

This roundtable will address the topic of migration and border walls, with a focus on the Caribbean and the Americas. 

How and why do nation-states build walls and police borders? What impact do walls and border policing have on individuals, families, and communities? How do they shape our views of immigrants and our neighbors to the north and south? Why are borders more permeable for some people—and goods—than others?