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Contributor:

Nelson Balido

Nelson Balido writes primarily about border security, U.S. immigration policy, trade, travel, energy and security issues. He is the principal at Balido and Associates, Inc. and founder of the Border Commerce and Security Council and the Energy Council of the Americas.

Prior to assuming his current role he was the President of the Border Trade Alliance; Nelson was a presidential pick to lead the private sector division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency where he earned Secretary’s Award for Excellence and also served on the Homeland Security Advisory Council appointed by Secretary Michael Chertoff, where he was awarded the department’s highest civilian award – the Outstanding Public Service Medal.

He has extensive experience in the public and private sectors at the local, state, and federal levels. For years, Nelson has worked closely with the governments of U.S., Canada, and Mexico at every level by advocating on behalf of policy initiatives designed to improve border affairs, trade and security relations, and cultural understanding. In 2014, Nelson was re-appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Industry Trade Advisory Council by United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce.

His other career stops include respected companies as SBC Communications (at&t), where he served as the company’s director of multicultural marketing, Commissioner of the Texas Commission on the Arts, Member of the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board, and various other positions within municipal agencies and non-profit boards. Mr. Balido holds a B.S. in International Economics and a B.A. in Spanish from Texas Tech University and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School at Texas A&M University. He is an active U.S. NAVY reserves public affairs officer, a professional speaker for U.S. Trade and Border Security conferences, the ASPEN Institute, the US Department of Commerce, and a FOX NEWS LATINO contributor.

Mexico Must Step Up Immigration Enforcement

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February 1, 2016

There are rising fears that the United States could see a repeat of the 2014 massive influx of unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Part of the challenge comes down to a matter of incentive.

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After Paris attack, Heightened Concerns for Illegal Immigration

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December 1, 2015

Need another good example of why border security and immigration enforcement are important? Paris.

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Deal with Illegal Immigration With an Exit-Tracking System

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November 11, 2015

In the debate over how to address illegal immigration to the United States, some have cautioned that a rigorous effort to enforce visa laws can lead to profiling and potentially a violation of civil rights. That’s a fair concern, and it’s one that can be addressed if we provide U.S. law enforcement with the tools to do their job. That means an exit-tracking system.

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United States Unprepared to Meet Threat From Mass Migration

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October 1, 2015

When it comes to border security, lines of razor-wire and soldiers is a proposition some in the United States might support, but from experience, we know this is woefully insufficient to keep a border secure and large-scale migration in check.

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Mexican Energy Reform is Gateway to Improve U.S. Security

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September 8, 2015

When we talk about border security, we often focus on what the United States should do to stop illegal crossings. Less often discussed, however, is what can be done in Mexico (and elsewhere in Latin America) to dampen the desire to illegally enter the United States in the first place. One surefire way to achieve this: economic development.

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