Border Youth Education and Opportunity

Border Youth Education

Introduction

As dawn breaks along the border, young people face choices shaped more by circumstance than potential. Youth at the border is not only a migration story. It is a story of missed opportunity and unrealized talent. When we fail to invest early, we all absorb the long term cost.

I have seen this reality firsthand as former mayor of a border city in Arizona, former Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, and former Chief of Staff at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These experiences shape how I approach solutions today as CEO of Intermestic Partners, founded in 2011 as an international business advisory firm specializing in cross border trade and development.

The Reality Facing Border Youth

Young people at the border confront limited access to education, high unemployment, and few legal pathways into the formal economy. Still, resilience defines them. Many attend informal schools, work long hours, and support families while holding onto hope for something better.

This determination is an asset if we choose to recognize it.

Education Is Necessary but Not Sufficient

Education opens doors, but only if those doors lead somewhere. Skills must align with real market needs. Training must connect to employers. Mentorship must translate knowledge into confidence and direction.

This is where experience from government and the private sector matters. At Intermestic Partners, working with top national and international companies has shown me that talent pipelines near the border remain one of North America’s most underdeveloped advantages.

Border regions already support billions of dollars in daily trade, yet youth unemployment there remains among the highest in North America. The opportunity is literally moving past them every day.

Turning Education Into Opportunity

What works is integration.

• Education tied to workforce demand

• Skills training connected to real employers

• Mentorship that bridges culture and industry

These are not theoretical ideas. They are practical strategies drawn from decades of cross border leadership and applied daily through Intermestic Partners.

A Call to Build Together

If you care about education, workforce development, or the future of cross border communities, let us work together. The border is not a barrier. It is a platform for shared growth.

Engage with Intermestic Partners to explore how education, trade, and opportunity can move forward together.