The United States–Mexico barrier, also known as the Texas border wall or Texas border fence is actually several separation barriers designed to prevent illegal movement across the U.S.-Mexico border.  The barriers were built as part of two larger "Operations" to taper transportation of illegal drugs manufactured in Latin America and illegal immigration: Operation Gatekeeper in California, Operation Hold-the-Line in Texas, and Operation Safeguard in Arizona.  The barriers are strategically placed to mitigate the flow of illegal border crossings along the United States-Mexico international border into the geographically vulnerable Southwestern United States.  Pro-Mexican immigration groups criticize the barriers as an ineffective deterrant that inappropriately jeopardize the health and safety of those seeking illegal entry into the United States.