Ep 4. Crimes at the Border

In season 7, episode 4 of Frontline/World titled "Crimes at the Border," the show focuses on the issues and challenges facing border security along the Mexico-United States border. The episode examines how the U.S. government is trying to prevent terrorists and drug smugglers from entering the country while keeping the flow of goods and people moving.

The episode features a segment on the ongoing issues with border security at the San Diego-Tijuana crossing. Frontline/World reports on the difficulties and corruption involved in protecting the border from illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and the smuggling of goods. The report also explores the effects of the border wall on locals, including businesses that rely on cross-border trade.

The show also delves into the case of a U.S. businessman who was kidnapped in Mexico and held for ransom for several months. Frontline/World investigates the complex and dangerous underworld of Mexican kidnapping, as well as the often ineffective efforts of American law enforcement agencies to rescue their citizens. The segment reveals the lengths that families of victims go to secure their release, including paying large sums of money and taking on significant risks.

In another segment, Frontline/World explores the issue of violence against women in Juarez, Mexico. The episode sheds light on the ongoing problem of femicides in the city, where more than 400 women have been murdered over the last decade without any real progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The report reveals the severe impact of the violence on families and communities, and the struggle for justice for the victims.

Overall, the episode highlights the many challenges and complexities facing border security in the modern era. The show examines the political, economic, and social factors that drive illegal immigration and smuggling, as well as the human toll of crime and violence in border communities. Through investigative journalism and on-the-ground reporting, Frontline/World provides a compelling look at the issues and people involved in the ongoing struggle to secure the border.