Along the Rio Grande in far west Texas, the small towns on opposite sides of the river are closer to one other than to major cities in their own countries. For years, Americans could go back and forth to the small Mexican towns of Boquillas and Santa Elena without even carrying a passport. But after September 11, Border Patrol agents cracked down on these casual border crossings, destroying the tourist economy that kept those isolated villages afloat. Weekend America's Michael May traveled to Boquillas with American Cynta De Narvaez, who's trying to help the town survive the tough times.

Then...
Ever since the border between the U.S. and Mexico closed in 2002, life has been complicated for those working and living in the area, including the National Park Service. Marcos Parades is a district ranger for the Rio Grande River, which dives the two countries. When he's out patrolling on the river, he's technically breaking the law. Weekend America guest host Desiree Cooper talks with Parades about this Catch-22.