Reproductive Justice in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands: A Quest for Transnational Solidarity
Posted by Larissa M
October 10, 2024
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Reproductive Justice (RJ) movement in the United States, a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy. The term “reproductive justice” was coined in 1994 by a collective of 12 Black women, known as the Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice (WADRJ). Reproductive Justice merges reproductive rights with social justice, offering a powerful critique of the mainstream movement that has historically centered on the experiences of middle-class white women. RJ acknowledges the unique reproductive health challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly women of color, due to systemic racism and socioeconomic inequities. This intersectional approach envisions liberation as full access to reproductive healthcare, human rights, and bodily autonomy. However, to actualize this vision, we must expand our understanding of transnational solidarity and push for the right to move freely across borders.
While many U.S. citizens are familiar with migration into the United States, there is far less focus on U.S. migration throughout the Americas, particularly the growing number of citizens traveling to Mexico for reproductive care. This phenomenon, known as cross-border reproductive care, underscores the necessity of freedom of movement as a fundamental human right, enabling some to bypass oppressive healthcare restrictions.
One example of this transnational advocacy is Fundacion Marie Stopes Internacional (MSI) Mexico, a branch of the global organization founded in 1976, which focuses on providing access to high-quality, client-centered contraception and abortion care. Shortly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, MSI opened a reproductive health center in Tijuana, just 16 miles from San Diego, California. MSI estimated that about half of their patients now come from the U.S., as restrictions on reproductive healthcare continue to grow. Additionally, MSI recently opened another clinic in Cancún, Mexico, catering specifically to U.S. travelers seeking reproductive healthcare. The expansion of such clinics highlights the growing use and importance of transnational healthcare access in the face of restrictive policies.
For those unable to afford the full costs of clinic care and transportation, travel by land has become more accessible. U.S. citizens frequently visit Mexican pharmacies just across the border, where misoprostol, an abortifacient, can be purchased over the counter for as little as $20 USD. Although this option remains out of reach for many—particularly the most vulnerable—cross-border migration provides new avenues for resistance against restrictive U.S. policies.
Mexican activists have also been at the forefront of transnational solidarity. One grassroots organization, Las Libres, is comprised of gynecologists, psychologists, and lawyers who provide abortion care to Mexican rape victims, regardless of local laws. They’ve expanded their networks to distribute abortion medication by mail to people in states like Texas, defying U.S. legal frameworks by building transnational care networks. This type of solidarity requires both intentionality and a deep understanding of U.S. laws.
While cross-border reproductive care has undoubtedly benefited some U.S. citizens, it remains a privilege largely accessible to those with resources. The imbalance of power is stark: U.S. citizens travel to Mexico for healthcare while Mexican migrants in the U.S.—including an estimated 4 million undocumented individuals—struggle to access basic healthcare. This inequity is further compounded by the fact that many undocumented migrants are unable to return to their homelands without risking detention or deportation, even as U.S. citizens take advantage of Mexican resources. Additionally, the expansion of clinics catering to U.S. citizens risks contributing to the gentrification and displacement of Indigenous communities in Mexico which is already an issue due to tourism. To create a truly reciprocal network of transnational solidarity, U.S. advocates must educate themselves on the challenges faced by non-citizens and marginalized people across the continent, particularly in regions where U.S. intervention has caused harm. They must also uplift and center the voices of undocumented people within the U.S. who are currently being legally excluded from their most basic rights.
Despite these complexities, the solution is not to restrict movement but to fight for the right of all people to move freely. Whether it’s Mexican activists sending abortion pills to the U.S. or U.S. citizens seeking healthcare abroad, transnational solidarity challenges both local restrictions and the global medical-industrial complex. These movements ensure access to care where it is otherwise denied and foster a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. Solidarity across borders is essential in reclaiming control over our bodies and achieving collective liberation. Our fight for bodily autonomy must transcend borders, embracing the right to migrate and move freely, as our Ancestors once did.
