There are several major U.S. Border cities – San Diego, El Paso, Detroit – just to name a few. For anyone who grew up in a U.S. border town, crossing the border was a regular event. People would cross for shopping, recreation, even work or school. When border crossing became more difficult after the 9-11 terror attacks, commerce in border towns was affected.

Although the U.S.-Mexico war of 1848 split Laredo, Texas in two when the Rio Grande became the international border, relations between “los dos Laredos” have always been good. The family and business ties were so strong that for decades, Laredo has been the nation’s largest land port for commerce. But a few years ago, rampant border violence on the Mexican side seriously changed the community. The violence, fueled by dueling drug gangs, has since moved to other border regions. As reporter Ruxandra Guidi reports, Laredo is now adjusting to the post-violence phase of its relationship with its Mexican counterpart.