The fifth day and overall experience

Thursday was the last day of our trip. Overall, it may have left the biggest impact on me. We did a lot of hiking today and we did a water drop. This is when we all carried one or two gallons of water and left them for the migrants to find. For me, this was the point of the trip where it all felt real. We were directly aiding the migrants who would be walking through the desert, incredibly thirsty, and find the water that we left for them.

I learned so much in this week. Going into the trip, I did not know much, if anything, about immigration. I didn't realize just how hard it was to go from one country to another. I now have so much more respect for those people who desire the freedom they shouldn't have to fight for. During our reflection on Thursday night, Ms. Amuzie said, "These people are our modern day superheroes." She makes a good point. They literally risk their lives, and sometimes lose their lives, to give their families a better chance at life. They shouldn't have to struggle to gain something most of us take for granted every day. On the first night we arrived, we were asked why we were here and what we hoped to gain from this experience. I said that I wanted to gain more knowledge of and respect for those who migrate because they are people too and deserve to be treated that way. I definitely feel as though I achieved both of those.

What a week in Arizona! 

Each day, I had the honor of driving the second white van filled with our caravan of students, with Mrs. Chapman as co-pilot, trying to keep pace with our guide, Ms. Kenenna Amuize, a Lasallian Volunteer. How many red lights did we infringe upon to keep up? Sorry, Arizona drivers.

In all seriousness, I did get a little nervous every time we drove up to a check-point. I promised my 86-year old Mexican-American father that I would carry my U.S. passport with me at all times. He was fortunate to have been born in Franklin Park, IL in 1928. But my grandparents, Vicente Martinez and Francisco Rivera, were Mexican citizens, who arrived in Chicago in 1918 to work on the railroads. To this day, I'm not sure whether my grandmother (who died in Chicago in 1983) had a green card, or was an "illegal alien" [I hate that term. No human being is illegal in God's eyes! We are all "aliens" on our earthly journey to the Promised Land, that God has waiting for us at the end of our lives.]

My grandparents and dad were economically repatriated back to Mexico from Chicago when the Depression hit--there were no jobs for Mexicans, let alone Americans; even though my father held U.S. citizenship, he grew up in a Mexican culture in central Mexico (Guanajuato province) and later moved North, where he crossed the border daily at the bridge separating Ciudad Juarez/El Paso, as a migrant worker, picking in the fields. His family was welcomed back to Chicago as the WWII war economy expanded, necessitating additional workers.

How ironic, that I had a van-load of high school kids at the border, who were the same age as my father, when he crossed the border on a daily basis. For security reasons, we could only look through the iron gates from the Nogales, U.S. side. I felt a tinge of sadness when we carried on a conversation through the perforated wall with a little boy and girl getting out of school in Nogales, Mexico. [I was reminded of my one week visit to Berlin while on a Fulbright Scholarship, in April of 1988, crossing the Berlin wall at Checkpoint Charlie.] This too, is a city artificially divided by a random "line in the sand." What was our excuse? Keeping out Mexican Communists?

Back to the driving--a couple times the Border Patrol stopped us at checkpoints, asking if we were all U.S. Citizens. One of our girls had become a U.S. citizen within the past year. Another girl asked Ms. Amuize ahead of time, "Should I bring my Green Card with me?" Ms. Amuize herself, is a Nigerian citizen. The Border Patrol was probably eyeing our white van, wondering if we were smuggling illegal migrants. As the officer looked into our van, he saw numerous dark faces. We had spent the day in the canyons of Arivaca dropping off water, for potential immigrants working their way up, al norte, to a chance at a better life. Were we being watched? Was it simply a chance encounter, when a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter flew over our trail of 10 people? I waved to the chopper yelling "Somos illegales." I don't think he heard me, or my tone of sarcasm and protest. (Our guides were former political activists, John Heid and Stephen, the former guide active in the Plowshares Movement in the 1970's.)

Back to the driving--70 years ago, if stopped, my father would have protested, "I'm a U.S. citizen."

95 years ago, my grandfathers would have said, "we're heading north to build and maintain your railroads,  "pero somos mexicanos." In 2013, I'm stopped and asked about my citizenship, and I whisper to myself, "I'm befuddled by the whole situation in Nogales and Arizona. Why don't we recognize the human dignity of these people; why are people like 14-year old Josseline Quintero, dying in the Arivacan wilderness?" 

Someday, God (joined by St. Peter at the golden fence) will be awaiting our arrival at the border to heaven, we who are pilgrims on our journey toward eternal life. God will not need to rely on infa-red imaging goggles or censors in the sand to tell Him we've crossed the border from this life to eternal life. What will you say to God about your actions in the desert? Did you help Jesus when he was thirsty? when Jesus is disguised as a Latin-American immigrant?

In God's eyes, "Ningun ser humano es ilegal! No human being is illegal!" 

-Live Jesus in our Hearts!

Random Memories

At the memorial for the unknown adolescent, directly after prayer, when the wind came up out of nowhere and blew through our little group. A coincidence? We thought not. We had chills and couldn't speak for a moment.

Mr. Martinez, Ben, and I going through coffee withdrawal.

Nasly scaling the rock wall.

Our first Mass on Sunday evening at the University of Arizona. 

Throwing up at the Nogales Border Patrol station. And at the courthouse. And in the van.

The smell of the courtroom during the Operation Streamline proceeding. 

Welcome signs posted all around by our San Miguel hosts.

Affirming Kenenna Amuzie, a Lasallian Volunteer and our immersion guide, during our prayer and reflection on the last evening. So many tears, so much laughter! A woman who personifies the mission of Saint John Baptise de La Salle.

Fun Impressions

Ballerina Brittany Cavaco doing arabesques throughout the desert. She even blows her nose like a ballerina, delicate and dramatic at the same time :-)

Sassy Cactus Carlene Pare and her deadpan comments. Hilarious! The cactus story will become legend.

Shioban Alicea the sun goddess. Whenever you looked up you would find Shioban with her face turned towards the sun. She brought seven pairs of shoes. We had to help her choose between two different pink sneakers for a walk in the desert.

Adianna, the organizer, San Lucas. She checked every activity off the itinerary! Plus she folds clothes and brushes her teeth with incredible precision. Impressive.

Luke Thompson aka The Crooner. Luke's the man serenading the girls! He is also King of the corny pun.

Nasly. No nickname necessary, just Nasly. She falls over when she laughs, cries at the drop of a hat, and takes all hearts prisoner. She also sings inappropriate songs in the bathroom. Oops! :-)

Safari Ben Smith and chef extraordinaire. A true renaissance man. I loved the hat, love the fact that he breaks out the show tunes and we all start singing, and love that he argued a point made by a judge with his thorough knowledge of a Les Miserables character.

A view through the fence.

Looking through the fence at the Nogales bus station.

This fence is fairly new. No longer are the fences solid. We were told they were designed for animal migration. The irony kills me.

Notes from the border

Crossing the border illegally is a lucrative business, no longer the province of enterprising coyotes preying on desperate people. In Sonora, Mexico, from Altar to Sasabe, the industry of smuggling people across the U.S./ Mexico border is controlled by the drug cartels. The wait is long and the prices vary but it is all carefully controlled by organized crime.

Pharmaceuticals are part of the industry. Particularly antibiotics and birth control pills. Rape is so common that women protect themselves months in advance. Still they cross.

Illegal substances are also a large part of this industrial complex. The border patrol said it seized 1 million pounds of marijuana last year. Much of it comes in on trucks, some comes in carried by migrants. It is difficult to reconcile my experience of carrying an 8 pound jug of water into the desert with someone carrying bundles of marijuana. The bundles weigh 50 pounds each and are carried in burlap slings attached with plastic rope, like a yoke. In addition, the migrant must carry water and any other personal effects. They walk, carrying those bundles, as much as 60 miles. They walk over the harsh desert mountain landscape, in the dark, over ground mined with movement sensors. We were told that if caught by border patrol most drop their bundles and run. However, if they lose their drugs the cartel kills them. Are these migrants truly evil drug traffickers or are the cartels using anyone they can to move illegal drugs? It seems to me that my country has a responsibility for this activity. It is our demand for these substances that the cartel is happy to supply.

Day 5

Yesterday, Thursday April 18th, was the best day. As Ben said later that day during prayer, itwas great actually doing something towards the effort of helping immigrants. We went to the Shrine. We carried a gallon of water, which is approximately 8 pounds, and a can of beans across for about 1 mile (I think it was more). The journey had a lot of hills, rocks, branches, slipping and falling. When someone wa having diffculty, eeryone helped. We traveled like a team in the daylight at a normal pace. It struck me that the immigrants don't have these advantages. If they are walking too slow of fall, no one is going to wait for them to catch up. No one is going to help them climb a rock wall. Throughout an immigrant's traveling, he or she can only depend on themselves; individual success instead of a team. They also don't have the luxury of traveling in the daylight, but instead at night with little or no light. I know I almost walked straight into trees and branches in pure daylight so I can't imagine how scratched up the immigrants would get. Walking to the shrine allowed me to step into an immigrant's shoes. It's one thing to sympathize with immigrants but it is a whole entirely different thing to empathize with them. When I saw the shrine, I saw it as a symbol of hope. if I was an immigrant, I would cry from the overwhelming feelings that accompany the sight of this shrine. An immigrant would see this as a sign that there are people that actually care. People that care for his well-being, enough to leave good and water. It also shows that people have faced the same struggles, hunger, thirst and fear as he or she that is immigrating. At the shrine, God's presence was evident. All the religious objects that immigrants of the past have left behind provide a sense of security and comfort to the immigrants that I arrive there to rest. The shine reminds passing immigrants that they are not alone in the journey, but they have people's spirits, activists and past immigrants alike, and also God always with them during this hard time. The feeling of God's precense at the shrine and making an extremely mini journey ( about 2 miles overall) like an immigrant, I hope will stay with me.

- Adianna

Departure Day

We're heading tothe airport to go back home :( . I mean my Rhode Island home... I only say this because throughout this week, I have called San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona my home. If someone asked me what was next in out schedule, I would reply ''Blah blah... Then we're going home.'' No ones really awake righr now so all that there is to do is just look out the window. I can't believe how fast I got used to seeing the red tones in the sand, the cacti, the distant mountains and immaculately clear skies when I woke up each and every morning. I don't want to leave! It's not that I don't miss my family ( especially my dog and bed), but I absorbed and gained so much knowledge on this trip, gained new friends and hons with lasalle and non-lasalle people that it seems so hard to believe that I'm leaving. It feels like we're going to another reservation or ranch to learn more about immigration.... I guess on the bright sode, I loved Arizona so much that I truly do wish to return one day! Thank you to Arizona and all the people that helped us throughout this journey in Arizona. May God bless them and grant us safe travels. Bye- bye Arizona. 😘
- Adianna

Migrant Shine

Today we participated in a water drop at a shrine made by migrants. A gallon of water weighs approximately 8 pounds, plus we carried our own water and a back pack. The journey was hard, the ground rocky, the trail was narrow and steep. We walked for only two hours and were exhausted. Leaving water and cans of frijoles for the people passing through was more than just a humanitarian mission. For us it was personal. We, for a short time, walked in the shoes of a migrant. And it was scary.

Shura Wallin's Home

These were all items that we were fortunate enough to see, thanks to Shura!

The Morning with Laurie and Jillian

See if you can spot the well camouflaged Horny Toad.

Monday

I keep thinking about all  the undocumented migrants who were captured by border control, that we saw on Monday. We first saw hundreds of people locked in a cage when we were getting a tour of the border patrol. Every person looked unshowered, malnourished, sad and the stench was strong. We were told that they were fed with Burger King hamburgers but food seemed no where in sight. The thing that stuck me most was the shackels they were contained in. They were handcuffed at hand and feel and had a charin around their waist. Why so much restriction for a misdemeanor crime ? Later that day when we went to streamline court, 70 other undocumented immigrants were being put on trial. Each person, man and woman were also shackled. They too looked unshowered, malnourished and their smell was significant. The fact that they were so tied up just really bothered me, do you think it's right ?

Day 4

The best part of yesterday, Wednesday the 17th of April, was visiting Shura Wallin's home Green Valley. So far, the one thing I never want to forget is her passion towards helping immigrants. Shura co-founded the Green Valley Samaritans. This group goes out into the desert for hours carrying water jugs and food in the hope of finding an immigrant in need that they can help. Shura and the other club members are not young chickens, and if they are anything like Shura, they are small, fragile, and weak looking. However, their heroic actions do not match their physcial appearances. It takes serious strength to lug around food and water in the desert for long amounts of time. They have to be strong in order to deal with the criticism and threats made by others who fear immigration and those that help immigrants. They have to be strong to deal with the possible outcomes of the immigrants they help out. Even though it is a slim chance, they have to hope that the immigrans they help will meet a happy life in America and live their desired dreams of freedom and liberty. Shura not only told us what she and her fellow Samaritans do for immigrants, but she also shared with us some of the more interesting and striking objects that she has found in the desert that immigrants have left behind. These posessions varied from jeans, yound child and infant clothing, a baby's bottle, tortilla cloths, shoes wrapped in blankets, carpet shoes, religious items, make-up, treasured photos, keys, burlap-covered water jugs, and a diary. She told us stories that she pictures goes with each of the objects with so much zeal and excitement. It was contagious! The significance of Shura showing us these possessions made us realize that these immigrants led normal lives before they made the long journey crossing the border. They didn't always plan on crossing the border but had regualr worries and cares. The objects also taught us the ingenious inventions came up with to prevent detection and ensure survival. They covered their shoes to avoid making tracks, they kept their water jugs covered with burlap to keep the water cool. They made many objects more convenient to carry. Her talk about the lives she associates with the various objects, her passionate stories made the stuggle of the immigrants and those that go out of their way to help them so much more real to me.

-ADIANNA

Children's glove from the desert

The Biggest Graveyard With the Least Grave

Yesterday we met two woman, Laurie and Jennifer, who live together in a beautiful house on a ranch. Their garden was strewn with animal skulls, pottery, and bird feeders. They introduced us to Jillian, their trailblazing canine. We walked along their property with Jill in the lead. It was not easy. The sand at the bottom of dried riverbeds bore its way into our shoes. Cacti scattered paths like sea urchins, clinging to pant legs.

We were lucky to have an unusually cool day. Migrants are not often so lucky. This was proven by the three graves we visited. They were made by Jennifer and Laurie at sites where the found the bodies of migrants. They couldn't tell how they died exactly, but probably from dehydration or hypothermia . One was a teenager, probably younger than all of us. But those are just the bodies that have been found. A corpse does not last long in the desert. Heat and scavengers get to them in a matter of weeks. And nobody is there to tell the family. They always have to wonder; where is my son? My daughter? My brother? My sister? Where?

As we kept walking along the wasteland, I was lucky to get a few words with Jennifer. Come to find out, she is an immigrant herself. But not from Mexico, and not from South America, but Denmark. She spends her winters here in Arizona, working on her photography. It was fascinating to speak to someone so involved in the immigration issue, and who is an immigrant herself.

The fourth day

Yesterday we met three women who are all actively involved with the issue of immigration. The first two, Laurie and Jennifer, live on a ranch in the desert where migrants travel. They took us on a memorial walk to see three sites of where migrants had died while on their journey. This was a very powerful experience. The next woman we visited was named Shura. She is part of a program called the Green Valley Samaritans. They walk out into the desert and look for migrants that need help. They also collect items that the migrants left behind. We were shown many of these, and the children's items really stuck out to me. Once you are holding these items in your hands you realize that these were people's things that they had to leave so they could get to their freedom easier. When we got back to San Miguel high school, we ate dinner and then had a movie night. We watched "La Misma Luna". It was a really incredible movie that showed a young boy's journey to be reunited with his mother in the United States. I'm trying to forget that today is our last day because I want the experience to keep going!

Memorial walk and immigrant experience

Yesterday was one of the most powerful days on the trip. I truly felt like there were great connections  between myself and the immigrants who cross the border. My favorite part of the day was visiting the house of Shura Wallin. She showed us her collection of things she found in the desert left behind by immigrants. The things she had were very powerful, including a diary about a love triangle, an Alcoholics Anonymous book in Spanish, and high heels.

Throughout the trip I have heard that the cause of all the suffering on the border is greed. I am beginning to see how this statement proves true on all levels of the problem. The Mexican farmers must leave their country because we have flooded their markets with cheap corn in an effort to turn a profit. The cartels lie to people about how difficult the journey actually is, causing death and loss of priceless momentos along the way. We hold captured migrants in private prisons, paying these companies exorbitant sums of money allowing their lobbyists to fuel further persecution of migrants. I now realize this statement about greed is very true, both on the border and in the whole world.

Day 5

Yesterday was the must inspiring day of all. We met several women that I aspire to be like. One in particular was Shura. Shura is one of the founders of the green valley samaritans. They are a group formed to aid immigrants in anyway possible. What struck me the most about Shura is her passion for what she does and the way she inspires others.

Shura told us a story about a little boy who came up to her and introduced himself. She told the little boy that he could be anything that he wanted to, for example a doctor. She also told him that next time he introduced himself he should mention that he could be anything he aspired to be. Sure enough when Shura introduced the little boy to her friend, he held out his hand and said his name and age, followed by " I am going to be a doctor." The way Shura builds people up instead of bringing them down, like society tends to do, trully shows Shura's compassion and how she sees each person as made in God's likeness.

Migrant basura

It struck me this morning that the ravine we cleaned up on Tuesday resembled the guys sleeping quarters... Clothes strewn everywhere, empty water bottles and backpacks. Of course, each of us own enough clothes for 4 migrants.

In Memorium

Yesterday we hiked in the desert to visit sites where the bones of dead migrants were discovered, less than 1/4 mile from a neighborhood where any one would have helped them. They were either too afraid or too sick...

The inhospitable desert makes identification of these people impossible.

We call her Sassy Cactus Carlene (Pare). If there is a cactus within 30 feet of her she will end up with the needles embedded in her foot, shoe, or pant leg. And it is daylight. And she is being very careful. The terrain that is attacking Carlene is the same terrain where the bodies were found. The same path. The migrants who travel this path do so in the dark, walking and running among the cactus, often without proper shoes or clothing. They travel up and down hills and through the river wash. How anyone attempts this is beyond me.

I am thankful for Shura Wallin and the Los Samaritanos who live in this beautiful and often unforgiving landscape and who provide "a healing presence along the border".

I am thankful for Laurie Jurs and Jennifer who care for the unknown souls they discovered near their home.

I am thankful for the experience of yesterday. Although there were lots of tears, there was also hope.

Today we participate in a water drop in the desert the Tucson Samaritans.

San Xavier Mission

Day Three

Today my eyes were open to a whole new experienced. I feel like when the subject of immigration is brought up, only the perspectives of the border patrol and the immigrants are heard, what about the ranchers. The ranchers face the daily struggle and conflict of their stance on the subject. Dan Bell, the rancher, for example cares for the immigrants and realizes that they are human but after the death of a close friend he no longer knows his stance. He also has to worry about the safety of his family, not knowing who might knock on his door at any particular time.

The rancher took us to a gully that he had discovered the day before. In the gully we found objects ranging from pants and normal clothing to make up and hair gel. These objects made me realize that these people are human and just like us they care about looking good for their final destination. Another thought also hit me about their belongings. The people come over with very little belongings and then the belongings that they do have are left behind because they are told only to bring necessities. The immigrants are really starting from zero.

The desert and the border

Yesterday we started our day at the ZZ Cattle Corporation's headquarters. We visited the beautiful ranch home of Dan Bell, the president of the corporation. Dan Bell gave us a view o the immigration issue that I had never heard. Unlike the border patrol, judges, and politicians, his concern along the border is for his safety and the survival of his business. One of his friends was shot for an unknown reason while attempting to help a group of migrants. In addition to this, the fences that keep his cattle from escaping are often cut by people crossing. I admired his motives for increased border security. More than this, I admired the fact that he still helps migrants who need food and water.

Later in the day, we went to the city of Nogales, which was cut in half by the wall. It reminded me of what I perceive to be the Berlin Wall. It greatly affected me to see this one area in particular where a grate seperated the two sides. A man and a woman were talking to each other through the grate. It's strange, how these two people were seperated by this massive fortification.

Ultimately I realized the hardship on both sides that come with illegal immigration. I realized that all of this would be solved if there was a wa to allow immigrants to enter the country legally. That way, the only people still crossing the border illegally would be those who are carrying drugs and those who have criminal records. I could sleep soundly at night knowing that the only people innocent people who are only seeking work are not seperated, arrested, and exploited.

The border

The third day

Today was my favorite day so far. The experiences provided me with new perspectives and better opinions. A lot of today was full of shock and surprise. One of the things that shocked me the most was the way the border is set up. Before going there I pictured the border as flat open land surrounded by desert. I was not expecting to see a wall right down the middle of two cities. Cleaning the desert was an eye opening experience. I think it's hard to imagine what immigrants go through until you see what they carry with them and leave behind. Some of the things that surprised me the most were the children's items. Specifically a princess backpack. This made me realize that it's not only adults making the journey. Young children are there too. I hope to have similar experiences tomorrow that really helped me today.

The Gully

Items found in the gully: approximately 15 backpacks, cans of tuna, coats and sweatshirts, bottles of electrolytes and water, make-up, feminine products, a child's backpack, and trash bags with human waste. All discarded in a frantic run to transportation that will take them away from the border.

I find it difficult to process what I've seen today.

Day 3

My favorite part about today was going to see the Ranch. Mr. Bell was kind enough to take time away from his busy schedule to teach us, with the help of a powerpoint, his point of view as a rancher concerning immigration. It was a very educational experience. Mr. Bell never blamed the immigrants. Instead, he told us about the ways he tries to help immigrants. He gives them food and water. The only thing he doesn't like is when they danage his property. This damage done hurts his ranch's buisness. He blames the upper levels of the government, both U.S. and Mexican. He believes that they should be doing something more. He doesn't blame the immigrants because he understands their dire desperation, but he blames the government for putting hundreds of people into these inevitable situations. Mr. Bell, even though he doesn't know who is good, who is bad, who is smuggling drugs, who will try to kill him if he comes close, still tries to help every immigrant he encounters on his ranch. I understand his viewpoint of being fustrated that his wites keep gettjng cut or his water systems keep getting broken and he constantly ha to repair his ranch. However, he doesn't increase his security knowing it would make it near impossible for immigrans but instead patiently repairs over and over again. Mr. Bell's obvious compassion for the immigrants even though they damage his property and buisness is commendable and inspiring.

- Adianna

Rodriguez and Terry, Nogales Sonora and Nogales Arizona

Today, we saw the split city of Nogales. In a word, it's bizarre. Life is continuing like it does in a normal city, yet a massive blockade of steel and cement has created a rift between its north and south. I wondered how anyone could function here. Boarder Patrol suspiciously appears if you stay in one spot for too long. Cameras, like omniscient eyes, overlook every corner. Stores sell what reflects the population; cheap clothes, cheap backpacks, cheap sunglasses, quality firearms. No one is at ease, and those that are proudly display a badge on their breast.
I saw a boy, maybe days younger than me, in the back of a Boarder Patrol car. He was alone. He was frightened.
We walked past melted candles that together formed a crude shrine. Even the shrine was split by the Great Wall. It commemorated Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. He was shot by the American Boarder Control. He was shot in Mexico. The claim was that he was throwing rocks at the agents. The fence is eighteen feet high, and the gaps between slats is a few inches. The tape of the death still has not been released.
While touring the boarder patrol station, we passed a sign commemorating the death of Officer Terry. The claim is that he was on horseback when he was "rocked" (stoned) to death by immigrants in transit. He is looked upon as an American hero, dying for protecting his country.
Nobody is happy. Blood is trickling down the arms of both those who built the wall and those who aim to cut it down.

Day 2 El Otro Lado

I think the word of the day was conflicted. Everywhere we went and everyone we spoke to had a different perspective on immigration. But there were a few things that stood out to me:
Everywhere we went immigration was spoken about in the abstract. Rarely could we get anyone to discuss immigrants as people. The dehumanization is painful to see.
The border patrol agents, the Operation Streamline judge, and the defense attorney all commented they "they were just doing their job". And although the defense attorney will be arguing a case in front of the Ninth Circuit court regarding the constitutionality of Operation Streamline, I felt his passion for the case was more about his passion for the law than a desire for justice for immigrants. Maybe for him, it's the same?
The border patrol has thousands of sensors in the ground that can detect the slightest movement. They also use drones, and although they are currently unarmed, they are capable of carrying weaponry. Their cameras have a five mile range. As a nation we may say that our border is not militarized, but it does not feel like it when you are here.
The Santa Cruz river valley, where Tucson lies, has, for 700 years, been a path for human migration. As the borders in San Diego and El Paso have been walled off a funnel has been created in this part of Arizona, making Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora (Mexico) the busiest border crossing in the southwest. And the most dangerous.

Today we are going to meet a rancher whose property is regularly crossed by migrants. We will hear his perspective and spend time cleaning up artifacts left behind by the crossers.

Here is a link to an article detailing the process of Operation Streamline. http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/operation-streamline-takes-hard-line-on-illegal-border-crossers/article_35cb6dc5-45e3-55e5-b471-c1dd2a72bc31.html

Day 2

The first thing we did today was drive to the Border Patrol in Nogales, Arizona. The members showed us a powerpoint and a brief video on what the sectors do and how immigration efforts are preveted. The two guides also answered all of our questions. However, they avoided answering the main purposes of some questions. They kept emphasizing that as a US Border Patrol officer, they had no opinions nor compassion towards immigrants. When asked their moral standings, they replied that they were just doing their job. This is the case, I understand that. However, how is it possible to see the miserable faces of hundreds of immigrants each and eery day and not feel anything? After questions, we toured the place. I think that majority of people's most memorable part was when we saw the immigrants locked up in rooms waiting to be researched. Men would scan the fingerprints of immigrants to see whether they had a previous criminal record in the US. If they did not, they were immediately sent back to their home lands. If ghey sid have an offense, they would be sent to see a judge.
This led to our next stop of the day. We went to the US court. The judge Benardo Velasco viewed 70 immigrants and sentenced them all in approximately an hour. This quick sentence process is called ''Streamlining.'' The first thing I noticed when we were finally let into the court room was the smell. the body odor of the immigrants was obvious. I realized then that they must not have showered since they started their mission to cross the border which could be about 4-6 day. That amount of time not showering is inevitably going to make anyone smell. I was also struck by the fact that all the immigrants, 68 male and 2 females, wore chains on their feet and ones on their hands that connected to the chain around their waists. All the immigrants didn't speak English, therefore a translator was needed for the whole time. The judge, afterwards, answered all the questions of the visitors. He explained that these immigrants received a sentence if 30-180 days in jail due to whether they had previour minor infractions on their UD criminal records. A person that had crossed the border two times would be sentenced to 30 days. A person that repeatedly comes back to the cross the brder or received a DUI would get 180 days in jail. The judge used severe exaggeration and sarcasm when answering questions. It was obvious that he didn't want to be in thay court and that he viewed it as a waste of time. I wish that he would have been more courteous and sincere in his responses. He was very biased. He believed that all immigrants should be sent back, no ifs ands nor buts. He assumed that all the visitors were extremely againt streamlining, which wasn't the case at all. Our curiosity simply resulted in many questions.
The defendant contrasted greatly from the judge. The defendent contradicted many of the statements of the judge and vice versa. After Juan's powerpoint, I was confused on the facts, for one man gave one reason and the other another. Howeer they both insisted that they were right. What really stays with me is that the defendant knows that the process of immigration, including streamlining, needs to be improved. I wholeheartedly agree. However, neither him or I are able to think of ang original ideas to help cotribute to the issue's solution.
After reflection that night, most of my questions were shared between my leers. Everyone was confused by the ironic differences in the statements of the judge versus the defendant. As a group, wedi discussed the events of the day and helped each other answer the questions that were formed due to the inteoduction of immigration behind the scenes.
All day, I was on the go. Therefore, I was extremly hungry and tired. Overall, it was a good dat for I learned alot of new information on immigration and even the day's events have shifted my opinions on the global matter. If my views could be change in one day, I wonder what I'm going to think on the last day of the trip.
Good Night 😘
- Adianna L. San Lucas (aka Unknown posts)

Group picture at the Border Patrol

The second day

The events of today were very interesting but also very surprising. Seeing the captured immigrants from just the past few days at the Border Patrol was, in a way, saddening. They were looking at us with a kind of jealously because we were free to leave. It felt a little wrong that we were looking at them through a glass window like they were zoo animals. Another thing about the Border Patrol that struck me was how the officers told us of some of the names that they refer to the immigrants as. One was "mule" because they may be carrying things over. It seems degrading to refer to them in this way. When we went to the court it shocked me how many immigrants were being prosecuted. There were 70 in a hearing that took less than an hour. I wouldn't have expected that. Going up to "A" mountain was such a good experience to be able to see everything in Tucson. I'm excited to go into the desert tomorrow.

The group on "A" mountain overlooking Arizona

Second Day

Today was very conflicting for me. It was shocking to see how different opinions vary, from person to person. I also grew to understand what border patrol does and maybe they aren't so evil after all. The one thing I will never forget about today was the faces of the immigrants at their fast and speedy trials. I have something that they all have dream of having, citizenship. Why do I get citizenship but they don't? After thinking about this question I was overcome by a sense of guilt. Can't wait to see what emotions tomorrow will bring in the dessert!

Day at border patrol and courtroom

My experiences today were nothing like I expected. It still felt so strange to me to be in the desert. Our first stop was the border patrol station in Nogales. Nogales is known as the busiest border crossing in the United States.

I had previously viewed the border patrol as "bad people". I hate tv shows that glorify their work, which I view as hunting down innocent people. It's strange though, because just as many people in the US dehumanize undocumented immigrants, I had dehumanized the border patrol. They are people too, who need to bring home a paycheck, and who also feel a strong sense of duty to their country. While I may not feel the same nationalism as they do, I understand their desire to protect their sense of community.

The courthouse was a very interesting experience for me. Initially I thought the streamline idea was good. After the judge had single handedly sentenced around 70 people in under an hour, he talked to us. From what I first gathered, he seemed reasonable. He explained to us that all of these people had committed a crime and that it was right to deport them.

However, we then visited a public defender, who completely changed my perspective. The judge had made it seem that all the prisoners there had committed crimes like distribution of drugs or assault. In actuality, the only "crime" that over 90% of them committed was entering after deportation. I felt like I had been deceived in the courtroom. The public defender went on to say how these trials are completely unconstitutional.

The main thing I learned today was that wrongs being done are not necessarily the fault of anybody I met today. They are just doing their jobs. I believe the real fault lies in congress, who continue to not even entertain the idea of allowing more immigrants to enter legally.

Day 1

At the airport, we were guided to the San Miguel Highschool. We got our stuff situated and then went out to lunch since we were all ravishing because of the 3 hour time change! Our guide took us to a local restaurant called Egees. We were informed that this was a popular hang out of the high school students. The good was good. After that, we returned to the school and played games learn everyone's names. The three San Miguel high school student tour guides are Carmen, Nicole, and Gabby. I like then all because they are extremely friendly and informative. We viewed all of the campus before attending mass at the University of Arizona. It was a beautiful mass! My masses in Rhode Island, St. Augustine's has 20-30 minute sunday masses and 45 minutes on special days of obligation. These masses are referred to as the ''Drive-thru'' masses. This mass was over an hour long but I enjoyed it so much more than my regular short masses. in this church, we were lucky to witness the Bishop give mass since it happened to be the mass of a confirmation. There was beautiful singing! I loved it because it kept audience members, of all ages interested and engaged in the mass. Everyone was able to sing along since the words appeared on a huge digital screen. The whole church atmosphere was so much more personal and comftorable. People hugged and kissed instead of giving handshakes of peace. I prefer this way, but maybe that's becuase I'm a purple/ touchy-feely person. I also loved how the bishop addressed each confirmation candidate personally. He seened to know alot about them and it showed that the bishop was actually close to the candidates. I want this kind of atmosphere to be brought to my church in RI! To wrap up our first day, we all particpated in evening prayer, journaling, and discussion. Everyone wrote down or chose to share their knowledge, thoughts, and opinions towards immigration. It was extremely valuable to find out what this retreat means to other people in the group. I loved hearing how each person inte group has had family members or they themselves were affected by immigration. The honesty that was being shared not only gave me more insight and understanding of the people in t group but gave me an increased respect and compassion for then as well. I'm extremely tired but still excited for tomorrow. Can't wait to see what else is jn store out here in Tucson!

- Adianna

Traveling

When I was leaving Rhode Island, my mom started crying when I was saying bye to my parents... It was like Pre-K all over again! Eventually we went through security and took the 8 1/2 hour long travel time to Tucson, Arizona. I think the plane rides were very beneficial for letting everyone on the trip to get to know each other a little better and bond more. I sat with Shioban and Brittany on the first plane. i learned that we were al dancers and we hit it off from there. On the last flight, my entertainment was watching Nasly, Ben, and Carlene in the seats acorss from mine. Ben was trying to fall asleep with an eye mask and neck pillow, therefore Nasly touched Ben's nose with a folded up airplane napkin and Ben inevitable jerked awake! It was hilarious! After landing and exiting into the Tucson, Arizona airport, I took many pictures. I have never seen such huge cacti! The scenery is such a huge change from Rhode Island. Arizona is full of tall tall alm trees, cacti, little grass, sand, clay, gravel, and lots of red undertones! My favorite color 😍

-Adianna

FIRST DAY :)

Today has been LONG but amazing ! I awoke at 4 so I would be ontime. Our morning was filled with  2 planes, 3 flights and 3 different time changes. It was very confusing but when we all walked out of the Tucson airport into the beautifully warm Arizona terrain, all our worries melted away. We were treated by two of our mentors and we were driven in white busses to the San Miguel High school were staying at. While driving we were all taking in our first glimpses of AZ. I found the mountains that surrounded us at all angles to be completely captivating. When we arrived at the school we met 3 other female students who will be staying with us until Wednesday. We all seem to have bonded really well and I'm so happy to have them guide us. Shortly after unpacking we ate lunch at a local restaurant  names Eegees . I indulged in bacon ranch fries and and Eegee drink, a cross between a slushy and Italian ice. After returning we did some bonding exercises and talked about what to expect over the week. We then had some down time and departed for church. The church was at the University if Arizona . I was so happy to see that the parish was filled with about 90% of college or youth students, when the mass started I found out that a confirmation was taking place . Having just had gone to one yesterday I was somewhat not looking forward to sitting through it once again. However the bishop was so down to earth. He was so real and talked about what being confirmed actually means in this current date and time. The mass was long but I enjoyed it a lot , although the pews were rather uncomfortable. Following we dined at a traditional Mexican restaurant. I savored my tastes burrito. By now everyone seemed exhausted. This day had been so long but yet it wasn't over. We still had to go rockery shopping. We previously had made a list of what we liked and been assigned to emails for the week. Together with our meal partners we split up and grabbed all the ingredients we needed and of course many snacks. We were surprised at how reasonable the Prices were here in AZ. Even the gas is 20¢ cheaper! We then went back to SMHS and unpacked everything into the kitchen. Following we had prayer and reflection in student life. We talked about immigration, our views on it, our experiences, our heritage and what we wanted to gain from this trip. After some of us showered and got ready for bed . It's been quite the long day and I'm excited for tomorrow !!

The Day Before

I'm a last minute packer and was up until 11 packing the day before the trip. I was so excited! I had checked my packing list nearly 3 times. The cutest thing was that my dog, Tango, can sense that I'm leaving so he is not leaving my side. Even though I was super excited to go somewhere I've never been to and be introduced to brand new ideas an opinions about immigration, I knew the #1 thing I was going to miss was Tango. So he's my phone background on this trip so I don't get homesick! :)
-Adianna

First day

Today was very long and I am very over tired because the time change is weird and confusing. Overall it was a great day! Our three student guides from the high school are amazing and we connected with them right away! The weather is very hot but great. I think I've drank more water today than I have in a week. I'm so excited to see what is to come in the next few days!

First Day

I have gotten five hours of sleep and the time changes have me all confused, but I love it! We have eaten so much good food and the weather is amazing. We attended a mass which was awesome. It was to see young people so involved in the mass. I also really love our guides, they are very friendly and their stories are inspirational!

On the way to the airport right now! I'm not tired at all, probably because I'm so excited!

I'm still up! Can't sleep, I'm to excited :) see you all in 4 hours and 52 minutes !!

Random Thoughts :
 We had our last meeting this morning before the trip. I told everyone that I have a tendency to be sick on airplanes so I will be taking lots of dramamine. I am not fun to fly with. :-) Lots of excitement, nerves, and time change confusion but we have everything in hand...

We are changing planes in Chicago, hoping to find some Garrett's popcorn in the terminal. Mr. Martinez questioned my popcorn quest for breakfast. I don't see an issue.

We joked that some in our group really should bring a passport with them, even though we are not crossing the border. Just in case they jaywalk or something and have to prove their citizenship. We don't want anyone to get deported. Jokes aside, we are going Arizona to study immigration issues. And being able to prove your legal status is a hot button topic in this area of the United States.

The Tucson Service Learning Trip

"Over several days, El Otro Lado teaches students about the positions of humanitarian nonprofits, the federal government, Native Americans, and American ranch owners in the Tucson Border Patrol District. The program shows students the physical realities of immigration, empowers them to fight for social justice, and connects the diverse Lasallian community. It also helps students recognize and break stereotypes of migrants, and people living and working on the border." -By Elizabeth Moors Jodice in De La Salle Today Winter 2012

We have done our reading, are crafting prayers, bought sunscreen, and are prepared to wear our long pants and long sleeved shirts into the Arizona desert. Temperatures promise to be in the mid to high 80's. Stay tuned.