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Sand and Blood: America's Stealth War on the Mexico Border
A damning portrait of the U.S.-Mexico border, where militaristic fantasies are unleashed, violent technologies are tested, and immigrants are targeted.
Over the past three decades, U.S. immigration and border security policies have turned the southern states into conflict zones, spawned a network of immigrant detention centers, and unleashed an army of ICE agents into cities across the country.
As award-winning journalist John Carlos Frey reveals in this groundbreaking book, the war against immigrants has been escalating for decades, fueled by defense contractors and lobbyists seeking profits and politicians--Republicans and Democrats alike--who relied on racist fear-mongering to turn out votes. After 9/11, while Americans' attention was trained on the Middle East and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the War on Terror was ramping up on our own soil--aimed not at terrorists but at economic migrants, refugees, and families from South and Central America seeking jobs, safety, and freedom in the U.S.
But we are no safer. Instead, families are being ripped apart, undocumented people are living in fear, and thousands of migrants have died in detention or crossing the border.
Taking readers to the Border Patrol outposts, unmarked graves, detention centers, and halls of power, Sand and Blood is a frightening, essential story we must not ignore.
Over the past three decades, U.S. immigration and border security policies have turned the southern states into conflict zones, spawned a network of immigrant detention centers, and unleashed an army of ICE agents into cities across the country.
As award-winning journalist John Carlos Frey reveals in this groundbreaking book, the war against immigrants has been escalating for decades, fueled by defense contractors and lobbyists seeking profits and politicians--Republicans and Democrats alike--who relied on racist fear-mongering to turn out votes. After 9/11, while Americans' attention was trained on the Middle East and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the War on Terror was ramping up on our own soil--aimed not at terrorists but at economic migrants, refugees, and families from South and Central America seeking jobs, safety, and freedom in the U.S.
But we are no safer. Instead, families are being ripped apart, undocumented people are living in fear, and thousands of migrants have died in detention or crossing the border.
Taking readers to the Border Patrol outposts, unmarked graves, detention centers, and halls of power, Sand and Blood is a frightening, essential story we must not ignore.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published June 25, 2019
22 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 10, 2020
Such a sad telling of the U.S./Mexico border issues and what is happening because of the long-standing policies of the U.S. government. The political rhetoric has been ignorant and the immigration policies are so very in need of a fix. It is heart-breaking.
January 2, 2020
The subject is the southern border with Mexico and illegal immigration. This is written as more of a journalist attempt. Nothing new. Not particularly well written.
September 30, 2019
A straightforward, sharp analysis of the history of US border policy with Mexico. I came away from this book with even more disdain for the Clinton Administration, how the immigration policies that we see today being used by the Trump administration to commit human rights abuses were possible because of the Clinton administration. Carlos Frey does a great job of giving personal anecdotes of the horrors people have gone through to come to this country. A must read to understand how messed up our immigration system is.
May 6, 2019
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Eye opening and quite informative in regards to what is actually occurring on the US-Mexico border. Some of the information here is surprising, and most does not get the attention it deserves in regards to media coverage. Anyone that feels that they are knowledgeable about the "border crisis", and wants to gain some additional knowledge should read this book.
Eye opening and quite informative in regards to what is actually occurring on the US-Mexico border. Some of the information here is surprising, and most does not get the attention it deserves in regards to media coverage. Anyone that feels that they are knowledgeable about the "border crisis", and wants to gain some additional knowledge should read this book.
June 7, 2019
I learned a lot about U.S. immigration policy by reading this book. The author explains how the situation at the southern border came to be and how it has resulted in far too many deaths. In addition to facts and data, he also digs into the heart of the matter, which is that people will continue to leave their countries - regardless of walls, deadly crossing areas, or anything else - if their home situations do not change. This is a worthwhile book.
August 9, 2019
Well that was a bummer. I appreciate the questions asked, though.
If ineffective policies that render such suffering continue in spite of not even achieving the goals set out for, what does it say about the moral failings of the politicians who legislate such policies and the people who continue to empower such politicians?
If ineffective policies that render such suffering continue in spite of not even achieving the goals set out for, what does it say about the moral failings of the politicians who legislate such policies and the people who continue to empower such politicians?
November 3, 2019
If you have to read one book to grasp the border and its history, and from a progressive viewpoint, this is it. I did a chapter-by-chapter study guide for it here: http://ouleft.org/wp-content/uploads/...
July 24, 2019
It rips me up to rate this 5 Stars: What choice do I have? It reveals us as savages, ignorant, bloodthirsty, parochial beasts, without knowledge of our government's activities and without a national conscience. I have lived a long time with a forgiving and realistic attitude toward government and our history; humans have crept only a short distance from carrion hunters and scavengers.
And yet. While Bill Clinton took time away from wetting his cigar, he pushed through brutal legislation against our brown neighbors. One expected his successor to use 9/11 as an excuse to demonize the darker-skinned Arabs, and he did. Sween baby doll Obama, the darling of gentle ladies and right-thinking men, ordered drone murders and tightened the noose around immigrant's necks. They all made pronouncements or got laws passed which have enabled our present drooling dolt to throw any tantrums he wishes aimed at his choice of boogeymen: Meskins and other southern immigrants.
Thousands have died trying to get here while our fat, overdressed Congress happily counts its money, kissing the ass of a populace which was lucky enough to be born here and has mostly done not one thing to earn the privilege retroactively, yet pay billions to keep others from having a chance.
Meanwhile: We wonderful Americans buy, buy, buy drugs, which funds weapons and bribes for the thugs to our south, causing gangs and economic disaster which forces regular people to look north. As big business finds it can make big bucks with prisons for immigrants, the Border Patrol tuns itself into killer brown shirts (please let someone have the guts to kill off a few of the sadists), and Congress finds big-time donors and investments in walls, bullets, and interdictions, the rest of the country ignores the thousands of brown bodies and gets all weepy about white overdoses and suicides. The billions being spent to keep brown out are being supplemented by billions to run rehabilitation centers (which mostly do not work) to battle the replacement for the cocaine and heroin which isn't being interdicted, only threatened. It is stupid and ironic and plenty of people are dying, although the only eyebrows being raised are those which noted the above prayer for CBP and ICE bound bullets.
John Carlos Frey reports in a much more subdued tone than I have used above. I've spent most of my passion; his abides. He will continue to report on the border war, as he had done for decades. I'll continue in my small way to pour salt on the slugs I find emerging from the American landscape.
And yet. While Bill Clinton took time away from wetting his cigar, he pushed through brutal legislation against our brown neighbors. One expected his successor to use 9/11 as an excuse to demonize the darker-skinned Arabs, and he did. Sween baby doll Obama, the darling of gentle ladies and right-thinking men, ordered drone murders and tightened the noose around immigrant's necks. They all made pronouncements or got laws passed which have enabled our present drooling dolt to throw any tantrums he wishes aimed at his choice of boogeymen: Meskins and other southern immigrants.
Thousands have died trying to get here while our fat, overdressed Congress happily counts its money, kissing the ass of a populace which was lucky enough to be born here and has mostly done not one thing to earn the privilege retroactively, yet pay billions to keep others from having a chance.
Meanwhile: We wonderful Americans buy, buy, buy drugs, which funds weapons and bribes for the thugs to our south, causing gangs and economic disaster which forces regular people to look north. As big business finds it can make big bucks with prisons for immigrants, the Border Patrol tuns itself into killer brown shirts (please let someone have the guts to kill off a few of the sadists), and Congress finds big-time donors and investments in walls, bullets, and interdictions, the rest of the country ignores the thousands of brown bodies and gets all weepy about white overdoses and suicides. The billions being spent to keep brown out are being supplemented by billions to run rehabilitation centers (which mostly do not work) to battle the replacement for the cocaine and heroin which isn't being interdicted, only threatened. It is stupid and ironic and plenty of people are dying, although the only eyebrows being raised are those which noted the above prayer for CBP and ICE bound bullets.
John Carlos Frey reports in a much more subdued tone than I have used above. I've spent most of my passion; his abides. He will continue to report on the border war, as he had done for decades. I'll continue in my small way to pour salt on the slugs I find emerging from the American landscape.
November 8, 2019
I want to start with a quote from the author in the book's conclusion: "I know immigrants. I know undocumented immigrants. I have met thousands of people on the journey to the United States from Latin America, and I have never felt threatened or fearful. I have met some of the kindest, most entrepreneurial, smartest and humblest of people. The spirit of a person who is unwilling to settle for the meager offerings that a corrupt government like that of Honduras has to offer and risks his or her life to feed a family is powerfully inspiring to me." Instead of being inspired, our country is waging war against people who are fleeing violence and abuse in their home countries, making it more dangerous, even deadly, for them to attempt to seek asylum here. Racism and xenophobia has been a powerful and effective tool for politicians (unfortunately from both parties but especially from Republicans in the Trump clan). First they make people afraid of immigrants (despite relying upon them for our economic successes), then they amp up defenses and finally get the populace to turn their backs on the cruelty inflicted upon, not only foreigners, but immigrants living legally in the U.S. The second benefit for those in power is the wealth made from detaining (imprisoning) people awaiting asylum determinations. Largely run by the same prison people that have incarcerated homegrown people of color, as well as the biggies in the military industrial complex, corporations are making billions, paid mostly by us/taxpayers. This battle against immigrants at the southern border (as well as from other parts of the world) is a national disgrace, must like so many others: slavery, theft of land and sovereignty of native people, antisemitism that costs many Jews their lives during WW2, concentration camps for Japanese citizens and much more. This book is another powerful indictment of U.S. racist policies. My only criticism of the book is that it is a little too repetitive in places, but it is well worth reading.
November 3, 2020
I did not enjoy this book at all. I wanted to get an education instead I received more confusion. As a reporter, Carlos Frey investigated immigration for many years. Yet the story was one sided and I feel it was poorly written. The author spoke about the US and how it mismanaged immigration because of fear and hate. He did not give any concrete evidence why immigrants would leave their home and take a treacherous journey. He did not investigate their testimonies and did not follow up. He did not investigate their corrupt government claims and why people leave. The author explained that crossing the border had become monetized and people were wiling to pay up to $10,000. to a coyote to help them cross the border. The author blamed both the Democrats and Republicans for what has happened and he scrutinized President Trump because he enforced the existing laws and has not added any new laws since coming into office. He complains that immigrant are asked so many questions yet our own citizens are constantly scrutinized both personally and financially. Why did he not investigate Mexican and Central American governments. The author did not discuss what happens when someone is deported. I agree that we need immigration reform and I know the problem is huge. Is their any cooperation from Mexican government to help process the immigrants at their border? If the immigrant wants to continue then at least the information would be in some type of database. The book left me with more questions than when I started. One further point. I did not like the narrator. He would do an awful impression of quotes of other leaders used in the book.
September 3, 2019
An incredible and sad recounting of US policies that lead to deaths in the deserts of America. I was especially surprised to read that the militarization of the border really came into being during the Clinton administration. He set the stage. Obama deportes many and denied 90% of asylum claims. Shameful. And Trump just continues to build and extend this sad legacy. The denial about climate change and violence in Central America and how that is a push factor for immigration is also shameful and cruel. I was quite discouraged to read this fine piece of journalism and read the author’s own account of trying to cross the border. Is there hope? Not under current US policies that see extreme deterrence as viable.
October 19, 2019
The author asserts that he is a journalist and is telling the story “without bias”. This is a blatant lie. One example will prove my point: when referring to the decision by a grand jury not to issue an indictment in the death of a young man at the border, the author says this was the result even though there was “evidence suggesting” that the victim did not fire a weapon. He fails to detail the evidence to the contrary and to acknowledge that the grand jury did its duty by deciding which was more persuasive evidence.
The subject matter is important and begs for a thoughtful discussion but this book does not provide it.
The subject matter is important and begs for a thoughtful discussion but this book does not provide it.
May 18, 2020
This is a powerful book about the US Mexico border. I enjoyed it for several reasons. This isn’t just another book trashing the xenophobic policies of Trump administration. It is a fair and even look at the administrations of Both Bush’s, Clinton, Obama and Trump and how all their policies shaped where we are today. It takes a critical and horrifying look into the experiences of migrants and dangers they face crossing border in order to attain a better life in USA. It’s very eye opening and important to understand how politics, profit and fear have shaped the policies and experiences affecting migrants.
February 3, 2025
It is truly SICKENING how the US treats desperate people....inhumane doesn't begin to describe the violence and hate fomented on people trying to escape from murderous thugs and economic desperation!!!
Shame on the US! And this occurs under ALL presidents, both parties!!!!
Shame on the US! And this occurs under ALL presidents, both parties!!!!
June 25, 2019
The author's painstaking research and attention to detail is obvious in the writing of this book. There were many facts that I only discovered after reading this!
August 27, 2019
Great review of the progression of US immigration policy.
February 19, 2022
Worth the read. Quick, insightful, and heart breaking
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews