Concertina wire, named after the hand-held musical instrument with expanding and contracting bellows, was originally designed as an improvisation on barbed wire obstacles used during World War I. Its purpose was to slow down enemies, prevent intruders, and stop prisoners from escaping. Today, concertina wire has found a new, troubling use along the Rio Grande, separating Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and El Paso, TX, USA. It now serves to block the passage of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. These photos, taken in June 2024, capture the stark reality of its role in the ongoing border crisis.