The Wall



Last week I had the opportunity to volunteer with Humane Borders at Trump's Wall.  It reminded me of the Great Wall of China.  Though I hesitate to get too political at a time when our country is so polarized, I have to say I was speechless when I saw the wall. A great deal of time and money goes into keeping that monstrosity in good repair.  And yet thousands of people, desperate to get over here, find ways to breach the wall with blow torches or whatever.  Yes, it's illegal to come without a visa, but do those who oppose undocumented migration ever think about the root causes?  And no, it's not to bring drugs into the US or some other illegal activity. 

The locals are fed up with election year rhetoric. According to NY Times writer Jack Healy (see link below) the locals in Sasabe, AZ don't feel the migrants are a dangerous threat, but are frustrated by the lack of government response.  Wall contractors, ranchers and left leaning humanitarians alike are leaving water and food for the migrants.  

I went with my friend Becca and some dedicated Humane Borders volunteers to check to water barrels, and while we were there we met a Border Patrol officer, who was very pleasant and sympathetic about the situation.  He talked about the port-a-potties and washing stations that had been set up to control sanitation issues. Our fellow volunteers, Tom and Carol, took us across the border to visit a men's shelter on the Mexican side.  People often spend years living in border town shelters, hoping to find a way to legally enter the US after they've been sent back many times.  Tom and Carol make regular trips to a local grocery in Sonoyta, MX to supply the shelter with food for the residents.  I was moved by their compassion.

The situation will worsen at the end of the month, when federal funding will run out at the end of the month, and Casa Alitas will have to shut down one of the Tucson shelters. Thousands of migrants will be turned out into the streets.  While it might feel like bailing out a sinking ship with a thimble, I will spend a couple more days volunteering there, providing what little medical care I can.  It might be doing more for my middle class sense of guilt, but I am renewed with hope by the kindness of the other volunteers, most of whom are young people. In times of so much divisiveness, this is a precious thing.


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