Today was a road trip to Nogales, Mexico, a community located just an hour south from Tucson. I have crossed into Mexico twice before when visiting my Grandparents near their home of Weslaco, TX. When I last crossed the border, it was on foot in a American Tourist area. Today was quite different. The Mariposa Port of Entry is one of the most heavily used ports for people and products. Our van did get stopped by Mexican officials for a physical check for cargo. Our guide says in their 3 years doing these tours that this is the first time they have gotten checked by Mexican officials. Though they checked the truck space of our vehicle, we did not have to show any identification to get into Mexico.
Once in Mexico, we were introduced to Manuel Morales, a guide and Mexican native who has been working with BorderLinks for 12 years. He drove us to Jose Antonio’s Memorial, which is at the site where Jose, a Mexican teenage boy was shot to death by US Border Patrol in 2012. Jose’s case is significant because it was the first case of a US Border Patrol Agent accused of murder tried in court. The Agent was found innocent by a jury. There was an unsuccessful appeal. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/23/border-patrol-shooting-jose-antonio-elena-rodriguez-lonnie-swartz
Manuel, who arrived in Nogales 23 years ago remembers the WALL when it was simply chicken wire fence. There was a time when Nogales residents would freely cross into the US to go shopping. The first evolution of the WALL happened in the mid-90s during the Clinton Administration and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). More permanent structures were installed. It wasn’t until 2011 that the metal beam WALL was installed and berms were built around the WALL. In 2018 in response to the arriving “Caravans” from Central America, razor wire was installed at the top of the WALL on the US side. Manuel has a restricted entry card that allows him to shop in the US, but at anytime, for any reason (a perturbed agent) can take it away. In the shadow of the WALL was a school bell sounding. Kids were having recess, laughing and smiling at us. They have to see the WALL, the memorial crosses of those lost to the desert, EVERY DAY.
The WALL is a reminder that you are not welcome in our country. If you try to come in, you will be hurt.
Manuel drove us to his daughter’s home and their our group was treated to a meal. Manuel’s daughter Maria had experience working in the factories in Nogales. In 1964, the first factory opened employing 18 people. Now, Nogales is home to 107 factories that produce goods, primarily for the US Market, but internationally as well, everything from cars to medical supplies. Conditions vary in the factories, but the Nogales community is thankful for the work. The Morales family are fans of the new Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. President Lopez used political pressure to have factories double wages. (The average daily salary for a Mexican factory worker is approximately $5 per day.) Men and Women are offered bonuses for being punctual, subsidy for food, and productivity. One infraction will lead to bonuses being revoked for a week of wages which could be 40% of their pay. Women are urine tested before they are hired at the factory. The factory will not hire pregnant women, however if a woman becomes pregnant during her work, she is provided with 40 days prenatal and 40 days postpartum wages. This is not law, but regularly applied in the factories. 10-12 hour days are regular with workers receiving 1 breakfast break, and one lunch break. Total break time is usually 40 minutes for the whole shift. Maria lost her job because her new born baby was sick. The work day care, which only takes children until age 2 denied her child, forcing her to stay home. She hopes to return to work soon.
After thanking Manuel and Maria, we began our 2 hour journey in line to enter back into the United States. No photos or video are allowed at the port of entry. A fellow delegate who had been to the Israel/Palestinian border said it was remarkably similar.
Passports out, guns drawn by agents. This is our home.
When we arrived back in Tucson, we had a presentation from a local Sierra Club representative that spoke to our group about the WALL and it’s effects on the environment. The Real ID ACT Sect. 102, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005 allowed the Dept. of Homeland Security to appropriate funds and waive existing federal environmental protection acts for the WALL. The result is the WALL carving into Federally “Protected” wildlife refuges. There have also been cases of flooding due to the WALL damming water during monsoon season. The Sierra Club has sued the Federal Gov’t’s Real ID ACT for the past 10 years and just this year were awarded a temporary injunction on a portion of the WALL being proposed. The WALL is an industry. SLS contractors have been awarded 1.3 Billion Dollars worth of construction costs from the Federal Gov’t for portions of new WALL over the next 2 years. The most expensive sections of WALL cost $22.3 million tax payer dollars per mile. The Sierra Club has committed to sharing the beauty of the Borderlands through photo exhibits. A publication called the Continental Divide highlights the people, animals, water, and lands of the Border. https://www.amazon.com/Continental-Divide-Wildlife-People-Border/dp/1603447431
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.
Hebrews 13:1-3
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