SAN DIEGO — Rising culinary star Priscilla Curiel, whose bone marrow birria tacos have earned her wide acclaim from prestigious publications like Michelin and Food and Wine, is clear about the way she defines herself and the region that inspired her.

Yet some of these residents feel that the region’s deep history, Latino heritage and outsize impact on the nation’s culture, economy and identity has gotten lost amid the emphasis on border security and immigration politics.

That culture stems from the geography, too: In El Paso, the skyline of Juárez, Mexico, is the backdrop to the Texas city with its mix of colorful murals, bilingual store signs and eclectic architecture in its downtown.

While border residents in San Diego and Tijuana can get drawn more toward Southern California because of its “enormous” economic and urban “magnetic pole,” Heyman said there’s more cultural cohesion in El Paso because the nearest city is a few hours’ drive.

He attributes more positive attention to border culture these days to the internet, including the countless depictions of taco shops — popular in Tijuana — as well as border-style music that has reached American pop consciousness.

It broadened what was normal for them: Spanglish, British new wave on binational radio, American clothing styles including preppy, Ferris Bueller looks — and countless hours waiting in line at vehicle crossings along the border.

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