The U.S. has a vital commercial relationship with Mexico. The economies of the United States and Mexico are deeply intertwined, linked by geography, cultural ties, and the North American Free Trade Agreement. The September 11th, 2001 attacks on the U.S., coupled with the costs of illegal immigration, particularly on the border States, forced the United States to reevaluate border management. As a result, needed security improvements were made at the expense of maintaining efficiencies. It is possible to enhance the flow of commerce while maintaining security along the southern border. This hearing is intended to identify what the public and private sectors can do to improve border infrastructure to better facilitate trade without letting down our guard on border security efforts.