This study investigates the characteristics of the border crossers and their role in federal programs, and analyzes their impact in depressed areas. In order to obtain information about the estimated 100,000 commuters working in the United States, a team of bilingual Mexican Americans interviewed Mexican citizens legally and illegally working in the United States, and U.S. citizens living in Mexico and crossing the border to work. Among legally working aliens, every hundredth name was selected for an interview, while the illegal workers surveyed were all those willing to be interviewed at three detention centers. Citizen commuters, for whom no lists were available, were interviewed at the American Consulate-General in Juarez, and at various border crossings. The data shows that the border crossers depress job opportunities and wage levels, and discourage union organization. Although they benefit from many federal programs, they do not pay their share of the costs of the programs. The study recommends several alternate solutions using more realistic restrictions on commuters. (BH)