Our group gathered on our final day at BorderLinks to review our Small and Big Questions that we established on the first day. Both unanswered and answered questions led to more questions. There are many unknowns even for those activists working on the front lines. Our government has not been 100% transparent, and our media has not been 100% honest in recording the actually numbers of migrants crossing, those held in detention centers, and children separated. It is in their best interest and serves the narrative. More confusion leads to frustration and apathy.
BorderLinks encourages delegations to work to support the immigrant and migrant populations in their home communities. We brainstormed who we could support in the Sioux Falls Community: Lutheran Social Services, ACLU, Caminando Juntos, Pueblo de Dios, Interfaith Coalition, South Dakota Voices for Peace, The Banquet, Lunch is Served, etc. I made the comment that it was sad to see so few organizations supporting and advocating for immigrants in our home community. Our delegation leader assured me that our list was much more extensive and informed than may other delegations. A most recent delegation had sat for 20 minutes and could not name one organization in their community; whether by ignorance, or nonexistence. Our delegation leader thanked us for our openness. We were surprised to learn that not all delegations are so kind and receptive to the BorderLinks message. It should not be so surprising given the polarization of the Border issue. BorderLinks hopes that the spike in the number delegations isn’t just a fad. Still, they will continue doing the work they do.
Our final hours were spent discussing as a group opportunities to take back our experiences and affect change in our own communities. Our church group plans ot report to our congregation in a series of events. It’s tempting to want to aid the situation of the migrants we met. Many of them have Go Fund me accounts. Fundraising efforts are ongoing for many of these individuals, however despite receiving various forms of aid from organizations like BorderLinks, they are stuck in a cycle of vulnerability. Our current systems will always work against their best interests. The most important things we can do with our knowledge is help spread understanding about the conditions of those in the Borderlands and work to change the current system. Several ways are: supporting humanitarians like Scott Warren, donating to organizations like the ones I mentioned in this blog, and above all else:
Welcome the stranger.
Thank you for coming on this journey with me.
My personal action plan
Sharing my blog with whomever will read it. Please feel free to share this message if you wish.
Write letters detailing my experience to our Members of Congress
Donate to local organizations assisting migrants
Keep this issue front of mind during my law school education
Anne's Blog 