Article: The border is always changing: a mixed-methods study of resilience among migrant serving organisations in the USA and Mexico Journal: International Journal of Migration and Border Studies (IJMBS) 2025 Vol.9 No.5 pp.1 - 28 Abstract: Migrant serving organisations (MSOs) play a crucial role in maintaining migrants' well-being but little is known about how those working on the US-Mexico border cope in this volatile setting and manage crises. Our mixed-methods study examined MSO resilience to recent crises such as COVID-19 and changing asylum policies. We recruited MSOs for an online survey (n = 40) and in-depth interviews (n = 15), thematically analysed interview transcripts, and calculated resilience scores. Crises harmed planning, disrupted cross-border services, and prompted burnout. Impact on funding and staffing was mixed. MSOs coped by restructuring and increasing external collaboration, drawing on their networks, participatory leadership, lean structures, and staff's moral conscience. MSOs reported high resilience and maintained services during crises. Weaknesses were a lack of crisis recovery plans, resources to absorb change, and information for responding to crises. We saw little evidence that organisations anticipated or embedded lessons learned from crises, suggesting priority areas for support. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The border is always changing: a mixed-methods study of resilience among migrant serving organisations in the USA and Mexico

Authors: Sahai Burrowes; Sarah Sullivan; Rebeca Cazares; Josie Hunt; Grace Hwang

Addresses: Public Health Program, Touro University California, 1310 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA ' Public Health Program, Touro University California, 1310 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA ' Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110, USA ' Joint Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health Program, Touro University California, 1310 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA ' Public Health Program, Touro University California, 1310 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA

Abstract: Migrant serving organisations (MSOs) play a crucial role in maintaining migrants' well-being but little is known about how those working on the US-Mexico border cope in this volatile setting and manage crises. Our mixed-methods study examined MSO resilience to recent crises such as COVID-19 and changing asylum policies. We recruited MSOs for an online survey (n = 40) and in-depth interviews (n = 15), thematically analysed interview transcripts, and calculated resilience scores. Crises harmed planning, disrupted cross-border services, and prompted burnout. Impact on funding and staffing was mixed. MSOs coped by restructuring and increasing external collaboration, drawing on their networks, participatory leadership, lean structures, and staff's moral conscience. MSOs reported high resilience and maintained services during crises. Weaknesses were a lack of crisis recovery plans, resources to absorb change, and information for responding to crises. We saw little evidence that organisations anticipated or embedded lessons learned from crises, suggesting priority areas for support.

Keywords: migration; migrant serving organisations; organisational resilience; border; USA; Mexico.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMBS.2025.146567

International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 2025 Vol.9 No.5, pp.1 - 28

Received: 10 Apr 2024
Accepted: 27 Jan 2025
Published online: 04 Jun 2025 *

Title: The border is always changing: a mixed-methods study of resilience among migrant serving organisations in the USA and Mexico

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