If you've been following the U.S. immigration debate this year, tonight's PBS special on human smuggling at the Mexican border (9:00 - 10:00 pm EST) is definitely worth a look:

"In a joint project with The New York Times, FRONTLINE/WORLD correspondent Lowell Bergman investigates the business of human smuggling across the busy ports of entry between Mexico and the United States. In Tijuana, masses of people attempt to cross illegally every day with the help of increasingly organized and expensive smugglers. Bergman explores the region to find that this illicit but lucrative business is expanding, and U.S. border agents are subject to an increased risk of corruption. He follows the dramatic story of one such corrupt U.S. border guard, the risky business he became involved in and what the U.S. government is doing about the problem."

While many people consider drug smugglers operating in Mexico to be the real problem, is it possible that bribery and corruption within the U.S. is just as responsible for the spike in human trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border? Anyway, as the national election campaign turns the final corner into November, look for the immigration issue to play an increasingly divisive role in American politics. Candidates will attempt to define their stance on the immigration issue without alienating key electoral blocs while simultaneously trying to appear strong on national security.

[image: Mexico: Crimes at the Border]