The essay explores the extent to which poverty exists among the residents of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. The sequence followed in this analysis is an initial clarification of some conceptual perspectives surrounding the problem followed by a survey of current economic conditions and growth potential for the Borderlands region. Following a brief overview of the salient factors associated with Borderlands poverty and those most closely associated with the economic activity of the region, the 3 dimensions of poverty in the Borderlands are outlined. These are: (1) "real" (or absolute) poverty, based upon arbitrary economic criteria; (2) "regulated" poverty, the differential rates of poverty existing among the dominant and minority segments of the Borderlands population; and (3)"relative" poverty which results from the use of varied, non-economic criteria for determining the degree of economic well-being. (Author/NQ)