Juárez: A Killing Field Series “City of Death; City of Hope” Dr. Cecilia Ballí, Journalist

There have been thousands of murders in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and nearby cities, and an escalation in the violence over the past three years. Issues facing commnities along the U.S.-Mexico border include the presence of drug cartels and their business infrastructure, the increasing presence of U.S. security and law enforcement, and the migration of people fleeing the violence. This series goes beyond the headlines to reveal the challenging realities in Mexico, the role of U.S. policy and the implications for human rights. Programs feature three prominent journalists and authors who address different aspects of border violence.

A native of Brownsville, Texas, Dr. Cecilia Ballí has written about the U.S.-Mexico border as a contributor to Texas Monthly and Harper's and as an assistant professor of anthropology at The University of Texas at Austin. Some of her research has focused on gender violence and the murder of women in Ciudad Juárez. She is currently writing a book about the border fence in the Rio Grande Valley. She is a graduate of Stanford and has a doctorate in anthropology from Rice University.