It’s one thing to know about it and a completely different thing to see it. Today we had the opportunity to drive down to the US-Mexican border. On our way down we stoped for a water drop. Due to the Prevention Through Deterrence policy, which began in 1994, crossing the border has become more dangerous than ever. Because of this many individuals are forced to take more dangerous routes across the border. This results in longer trips, which can cause people to get lost due to border patrol interference and rugged terrain. No More Deaths, Tucson Samaritan’s and other organizations place water jugs in the desert. The water that is placed is life saving as this is one of the only sources of clean drinking water for a lot of migrants. However, when ICE agents find these water jugs, they will dump out the water and or confiscate it (but usually the latter). This practice is inhumane and disgusting but it unfortunately happens every day.
After, we drove down to Nogales, a community that is divided by the wall. And I saw a scene that will stay will me for ever. I saw small fingers clinging to the wall. Eyes peeping through the holes. I want all of you to imagine being so close to your loved ones and still being so far from an embrace. That is the reality of so many. That is the purpose of a wall, to divide, to separate and to keep people far from each other. Razor wire and other fencing has been added in recent years to keep people from gathering. To keep people from participating in what makes us human, being together.
Later we had the opportunity to talk with Manuel. Manuel explained how the wall has slowly become bigger and been intentionally designed to keep people apart. Manuel lives in Nogales on the Mexican side, every time he crosses he must go the roundabout way to enter through the port of entry. While sharing his experience Manuel also told us the a story that made my blood boil. This is the story of Jose, a 16 year old boy on Mexican side. An ICE officer shot him 16 times on October 10th, 2012. The forensic report found that Jose had already been murdered by the 3rd shot. Jose was unarmed and not in US jurisdiction. Because of the organization of community members and not because of the law of the land, the ICE agent was taken to trial and found innocent; history has shown us time and time again, the lives of BIPOC mean nothing, we are seen as disposable as if we don’t have dreams. Are simple act of being is a seen a threat. BIPOC individuals continue to be taken from us and our aggressors are not held accountable. Again, the ICE agent was incorrectly pronounced innocent, while at the same thousands of immigrants are being criminalized for seeking a better life every day.
The idea that we simply need immigration reform is a clear lie. It is not enough to reform immigration, it is not enough to demand more training. What is needed is the removal of the system altogether. The wall must come down and ICE must be abolished. That is what justice means and what we must do to protect our community.
In solidarity,
Haniel and friends