Faces

from October 18, 2010

Today was a full day. This morning we drove down to Nogalas, AZ, right on the border and home of one of the largest Border Patrol stations in the country. We talked with them about what they do and then we saw the station. I think I've just grown up with a general trust of authority. But, while their goals are noble (security of the country) they are failing. First, they said they wanted to control terrorism and keep WMDs from our country post 9/11. Good goal. But why the US/Mexico border? The terrorists that caused 9/11 were all Middle Eastern (fanatics and most Middle Easterners condemn what they do) and they were all here on legal visas. Going to the detention center at the station was the hardest part. People were packed into cells and agents were so detached while processing them. No one seemed to care (though I think that is the only way to get through the day. If you care, your job will destroy you). When we asked about the blankets a lot of them had wrapped around their shoulders, one agent just brushed it off, saying, "Oh, it's a little cold in there." It just seemed like they forgot these people were human. They had about 100 people detained, caught in the last 24 hours. While we were there, they brought in about 20 more people. One girl looked just like Alejandra (a girl whose home I stayed at this summer). It was hard. They just looked so scared. They treat all of them like felons, but most just want to feed their family.

This afternoon we went to Operation Streamline. This is the government's program to deport in an efficient manner. 70+ people were there. They all had their rights read to them, they pleaded, and were sentenced in an hour and fifteen minutes. They went in groups of five. They only met their lawyers that morning. All plead guilty and now have a misdemeanors on their records. Court proceedings were gone. A lady started cleaning the headphones they use to hear the translators in the middle of people's plea cases. Lawyers walked in and out. It was a mess and if it was a citizen there, no one would allow it. 10 minutes. That's all it takes to be found guilty and go to jail. There was something so inhumane, so mechanical about it. But, they all had faces, had stories, had families, had lives. For everyone there it is just another day at work. We need to ask why these people are coming here and not just treat them as hard-core criminals. We need to make it easier to be legal, rather than patrol for people in the desert. We went through a government check point when driving. "Are you a citizen?" "Yes." "Have a nice day." If we looks Hispanic, we would have had to prove it.

Borders

from Oct 17, 2010

Borders are such an immaterial thing. Growing up borders where such a mystery and an excitement. In the smack-dab-middle of Oklahoma, a Texas plate was exciting, God forbid we see one from Florida or Washington. Borders were something you crossed on roadtrips or something else. But those are still just state borders. Country borders have nothing near them. They are desolate, alone, and no one would dare walk across one. Yet, I come to Tucson, 60 miles from the border. About a 3 days walk. That is it. And people live right up on the border. An Native American's tribal land goes straight across it. And unlike state borders, there is a wall on a lot of the US/Mexico border that tells you exactly where it is. I think a lot about the ease we cross the Nebraska/Iowa border. There is a bridge where you can walk, run, bike, whatever across the border. No one is going to stop me in Iowa and ask for papers. I go to school in a different state than in which I live. Yet, my Oklahoma I.D. is perfectly fine. Borders are fragile things, made by human beings. Yet, we are still all humans, and that never ends.

Be Not Afraid

From October 17, 2010

Today we sang "Be Not Afraid" in Mass. I think that this might just be my favorite hymn. It is very apropos to sing a hymn about wandering in the desert and relying on God when we are facing the fact that people wander through the desert into this country and we will be wandering in the desert of Tuesday. I feel that I will not get through this week, especially Tuesday, without Him. The one part that is resonating with me right now is "And if wicked tongues insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you." Being hated does not seem like a blessing. But the Bible, especially the Gospels, are full of seeming contradictions. I think right now I am wrestling with these seeming contradictions and I am trying to understand them. Why would God call us onto a path that will not be east. Why is salvation hard and what is right always the wrong thing in the eyes of society? Why do we treat others like dirt and sub-humans in the name of freedom and justice?

Fall Break Experience

This is the beginning of a back log of entries from my Fall Break Immersion trip in Tucson, AZ. Here is a little about what we did first:

We spent Oct 16-Oct 20 in Tucson. We went there and stayed at Most Holy Trinity Parish. The pastor there, Fr. Bill, and the social justice coordinator, Leo, helped us see the many side of the immigration issue in America. Saturday we saw a play called "No Roosters In Arizona." It is based on the true story of four women who wandered the Arizona desert trying to find a home in America. Sunday we went to a Mariachi Mass (very fun!) and then to a forum about Scripture and Immigration. Fr. Bill gave a talk about what the Bible says about hospitality and Leo gave a talk about the history of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and their recent statement, in conjunction with the Mexican Bishops, about immigration reform. Monday we drove down to Nogalas, AZ (right on the Border) and toured the Border Patrol Station and let them tell us about what they do. Then we went to downtown Tucson and set in on Operation Streamline, the governments way to streamline the plea hearings of people who entered the country illegally. Most pleas guilty and are sentenced in less that 3 minutes. We were there for an hour and fifteen minutes and about 70 people had their hearings and were sentenced.  Tuesday we went out with a group of Samaritans. The Samaritans is a group completely funded by volunteers and donations. Their goal is to go out into the desert, to leave water for those traveling through the desert, and to offer emergency first aid to those who are dying. They first took us to Sasabe, AZ where we drove to the wall that has been put up on the Mexican/American border. Then we drove and saw some wells that are on a federal wildlife reserve. They have put taps on them so people can refill their water jugs. Then we walked a migrant trail with them, checking to see if any water had been taken from a drop earlier that week (to see if the trail is being used) and we picked up litter (bottles, food tins, clothes, backpacks, etc.) on the trial. It was a very trying, testing, educational trip. I learned a lot, learned I knew so little, realized that I am blessed more than I ever knew, and tried my faith a little. But I know I came out of this experience stronger than I was before.

I will put up more journal entries later. :-)