There has been a lot of talk in recent years – especially during this crazy election season about the U.S – Mexico border as something that divides us.

But those of us who live along the border know that it actually plays the opposite role. It unites us.

Sure, for people who have never visited, the U.S.-Mexico border draws a theoretical line between languages, cultures, and countries. For the Donald Trumps of the world, a "big, beautiful wall" is a simple solution to a host of complicated problems that they want to blame on someone else.

What they do not see is that across international borders, our communities are inextricably connected.