Week # Air Date, 3/13/2006

Segment #1: BORDER FENCES

Political controversy engulfed the US/Mexico border ever since the borderline was first drawn in 1848. During the Cold War era, authorities feared that communist agents would cross the border to attack the US. Here's an example from a 1954, CBS Radio documentary called 'The Wetbacks.' It begins with a familiar scenario: an anonymous man, crosses the Rio Grande...he's carrying a suitcase.. .could it be a communist, secretly smuggling a nuclear bomb' Today politicians still worry that our enemies might enter the US illegally, through Mexico, to launch attacks on our country. These fears are part of the fierce debate now underway in Washington...over what to do about the US/Mexico border. One proposal suggests building 700 miles of additional fencing-a so-called border wall. In some places along the border, a type of barricade has already been in place for more than 1 5 years. Latino USA's Franc Contreras spoke with people who have been living alongside the border wall, has this report. (6:35)

Segment #2: SILICON BORDER

While the discussion continues in Washington about building walls, a group of high-tech manufacturers are looking to symbolically tear down walls. In today's globalized economy, items such as a typical personal computer and its software are often the product of many countries, like the U.S., China, India and Russia. So its' little surprise that research and development in the high tech industry has also gone global. A new project called Silicon Border might go along way to bringing Mexico into that IT outsourcing economy...and it could kick start a tech industry south of the border. Jason Lopez reports from Silicon Valley. (2:50)

Segment #3: THREE BURIALS 2 WAY

Latino USA's Maria Hinojosa speaks with actor Julio Cedillo on his experience on making the movie, 'The Three Burials.' (Self-contained 4:19)

Segment #4: 'ASK A MEXICAN'

And finally, this week, we'd like to introduce you to Latino USA's newest commentator. Gustavo Arellano is sort of a Mexican 'Dear Abby,' with a cross-cultural, often politically incorrect twist. Gustavo writes a regular column for the Orange County Weekly called 'Ask a Mexican.' He answers questions from all comers about Mexican food, language, attitudes and culture. We found of young people from Houston-Tiffany and Dante-who have a burning issue about that they've been dying to ask a Mexican... (1:53)

Back Announce:

Gustavo Arellano is a staff writer with the OC Weekly, where he writes the 'Ask a Mexican' column.