A sad story that needs to be told.Emil Pulsifer mentions overstayed visas. In California, we have "students" from distant areas of the world who have come on visas and gotten state scholarships. Some later brag that their visas have long-since expired and are in the country illegally.I met an elderly grandmother at the border. She had a valid Mexican passport and a visitor's visa. We were stopped at a secondary ICE checkpoint where federal agents went through her bags, holding each piece up, including her underwear, for everyone to see.During the past 20 years, I have crossed Arizona and New Mexico frequently. After I, a blue-eyed native of California riding in a vehicle with a California plate, was pulled over along I-10 by the occupation forces in green cars and ordered to prove that I was not an "illegal", I have made it a point to carry my US Passport, since they were not happy accepting my Calilfornia Drivers License and Social Security Card as ID. A sad day when elderly Americans must justify their passage across the land.
"Civil initiative is kind of our operating principle," he adds. "We emphasize the work to be done."
Southside Presbyterian was founded in 1906 to minister to Tucson's Tohono O'odham community. When John Fife first came to Arizona as a recent grad from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he served his internship on the Tohono O'odham Nation, later becoming Southside's pastor.
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In the past, his congregants included Mike Wilson, an O'odham tribe member and former Presbyterian lay pastor who now leaves water for migrants crossing the Tonono O'odham's Connecticut-size reservation, the second largest in the United States.
Wilson, who lives off the reservation, maintains several water stations on it. Four are named after Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He regularly leaves 10 separate gallon jugs of donated water beneath the shade of desert paloverdes, forming the shape of a cross on the ground with the containers.
Around his neck dangles a silver-and-turquoise cross, and he speaks of how he is "required" by his conscience to leave water, even though in doing so, he has earned the ire of tribal officials. Officially, Wilson is forbidden from leaving water and has been threatened with banishment from tribal lands for the activity.
He used to have two 55-gallon drums of water at each gospel-named station, but those drums were removed by tribal authorities. Now, he leaves only 10 gallons per stop every couple of weeks.
The only water drums left are on the Mexican side of the fenced border, which is lined with ominous, steel-pole vehicle barriers sunk into concrete.
Wilson's Mexican station is a few yards from the San Miguel Gate at the border, where Tohono O'odham venture over to Mexico and back to the U.S. side, under the ever-present watch of Border Patrol agents.
The border is an arbitrary one to the Tohono O'odham, whose nation was cut in half by the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, wherein the United States acquired much of what is now southern Arizona, south of the Gila River. Since the mid-'90s, the Border Patrol's presence on the reservation has become a ubiquitous "occupying army," as Wilson describes it.
Border Patrol agents on horseback, in helicopters, on dirt bikes, and in jeeps smother the reservation, often stopping tribal members to ask for documents.
They are there for a reason. U.S. border policy, which has walled off cities at or near the border, has created what researchers call a "funnel effect," the upshot being more migrants crossing into barren tribal lands.
This means more migrants dying on the Tohoho O'odham Nation because of the elements and the foreboding desert landscape. ("Tohono O'odham" means "desert people" in the O'odham language.) Wilson is well aware of the big picture, but he holds the leaders of his tribe blameworthy for their part in it.
"Within the last couple of years," he insists, "42 percent of all deaths in the Tucson sector of the Border Patrol have taken place on Nation lands. That's why I've been saying for years that the Tohono O'odham tribal government is morally responsible for contributing to migrant deaths."
Wilson is not a member of No More Deaths. A self-described "independent operator," the ex-Green Beret's work is sponsored by Humane Borders, founded by the Reverend Robin Hoover, pastor of Tucson's First Christian Church. Humane Borders is best known for its fixed desert water stations, marked by a blue flag, with massive barrels of water beneath.
According to Wilson, the 110 gallons of water in each of his stations went quickly in the deadly summer months. Now, he leaves no more than 10 gallons at a time because he doesn't know if the Border Patrol, tribal authorities, or tribe members will confiscate or harm the plastic containers.
On a recent outing, Wilson found only the caps of 10 water jugs at one station. A migrant would have drunk part of the water and taken the jug or drunk all of the water and left the entire empty container. Wilson surmised that someone emptied all the containers and confiscated them, leaving the caps on the ground. Fresh tracks from dirt bikes were nearby the site, possibly from Border Patrol motorcycles.
Back at his house, Wilson has a whole collection of slashed water bottles recovered during his excursions. He admits some of the damage may be the result of tribe members unhappy with him or with the migrants themselves.
"My battle is not with the Tohono O'odham people, but with the Tohono O'odham government," Wilson avers. "The Tohono O'odham people have a tradition of hospitality. They've always offered humanitarian aid to migrants. But 500 migrants coming across the reservation on any given day has exhausted this tradition of hospitality."
Not entirely exhausted it, of course, considering Wilson's own efforts and those of individuals such as David Garcia, an ex-member of the Tohono O'odham tribal council, who sometimes helps Wilson take water to the desert. Each agrees there are still private acts of generosity toward migrants by the Tohono O'odham people.
The two men say they've met with tribal Chairman Ned Norris Jr., who's told them that he supports what they're doing but cannot say so publicly for political reasons. Wilson and Garcia believe Norris is compromised because of the millions of dollars in federal aid the nation receives. To openly support humanitarians putting water out on the reservation would be a risky proposition for him, they claim.
Sorry Emile, but it can be done. It needs to be done. And it would work because the Troops are paid either way. They can sit on a base and get paid or they can be out in the field getting paid. If they were not in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting a "War" that can't be won on the ground they could patrol 2000 miles or 10,000 miles they are doing it over there as we speak. It's both borders that need to be secured not just the Southern one. It's people like you that have no solutions, but when one is presented to you as I have presented one it's not "realistic". You sit there and try to berate my ideas when you have none to provide yourself. You are right about one thing, when the work visas expire there is no way to make sure they get another, again another problem that needs to be solved instead of just laying out the fact that it hasn't been. This state and country have Social Service Workers that could conceivably track work visa holders. All it takes are a few stipulations and that problem would be solved too. Again you act as though there are no solutions, when I have given you at least two right off the top of my head. Sit and bitch or do something. It isn't rocket science.
Illegal is illegal. These people are not immigrants, they are illegal immigrants. The very act of paying a coyote and then working in the US is a form of slavery and the groups that you have mentioned are complicit. What is wrong with doing it the legal and SAFE way? It is possible, it happens all the time. If that was done, then these groups would not be needed and the deaths would not happen. Why don't these people stay in their own country's and work to fix it so that MAYBE they wouldn't need to break laws in another country. Imagine a thriving successful Mexico!! The resources are there, it only needs its own citizens to make it happen
P.S. Joe, there is also nothing to stop someone from entering on a legal visa (work or otherwise) and then staying past the visa expiration. It isn't even a criminal act to do so: it's a civil violation. That's why all of the constitutional safeguards which normally apply to accused criminals in the United States have been held by the Department of Justice to be inapplicable in the case of undocumented workers -- they can be treated worse than the most heinous accused criminals because they have not been charged with a crime.
Joe,
Perhaps I should amend my comment to specify "realistic solution". You suggest that the southern border be closed to tourism and commercial traffic and militarized: in effect that the United States adopt policies similar to those of East Germany, but over a 2,000 mile border. That isn't realistic commercially, fiscally, logistically, or politically.
It also wouldn't work, since the northern border would also have to be similarly blocked: as I pointed out in my article, it's actually cheaper for someone to fly from Mexico City into Canada via commercial airline ($200 to $300 at the low end), as a tourist, then rent a car, make their way to the border, and then walk across at any of numerous, virtually unpatrolled stretches, than it is for someone to pay a coyote $1,500 to $2,000 to start, and then perhaps more as ransom once in the United States and held at a drophouse.
Emil Pulsifer, There are solutions that can be put into place, but that would take closing off the border to anyone without a work Visa. It would also take a strong military presence on the border. The problem is that our military is stretched so thin the two wars would have to end for it to work. And we all know that without the wars going on there would be higher unemployment rates. And we can't have that. You're right, New Times can write about what they "conceive" to be injustices on the immigration front. Anyone that is aiding and abiding is just as guilty as the ones crossing illegally. No matter how you slice it, your own article stated as much. These folks "helping" the illegals crossing are not actually helping they are hindering the efforts set forth by Homeland Security. Do they know the difference between a Mexican and a person of Arabic decent? Let me answer that for you, No they don't!!! So in essence they may be helping terrorists into our country without even knowing it. And one last thing, very rarely does anything good come from a religious organization. Case in point, the Popes recent visit to Africa. He tells the people there to not wear condoms. In a country that has been ravaged with aids he says this? Because it's not "Gods Will"? This is but one example of where religious organizations do more harm than good. Just like the one New Times has described. Leave it to the pros
Joe and Bruno,
Regarding "solutions" New Times can report on social injustice and flaws in the system with greater effect if they don't advocate particular policy positions on questions like immigration. Note also that individual staff writers have differing opinions on the issue. Finally, there may be no easy solutions to advocate.
As for e-Verify, it's voluntary in most states. Only about 2.6 percent of employers nationally use it. In Arizona, where it's mandatory, there is no civil or criminal penalty specified for failure to use it. It's simply a means for businesses to avoid legal culpability should it be discovered that their employees are undocumented.
It's also ineffective and has pushed immigrants away from the use of fictitious Social Security numbers and toward ID theft from individuals living or dead. More than half of the job applicants who should have been denied authorization to work were incorrectly approved by e-Verify:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizo...
Here's my take on the issue, and (I hope) a useful overview:
Joe, you are looking at the big picture. Most people don't even try. There are thousands of personal tragedies like Joseline, and there will be more. Until there is effective interior enforcement in the U.S., the migrants will continue leaving countries where there is no future for their children.
Why would U.S. business leaders protest against programs like "E-Verify?" Why do U.S. commercial farmers purposely hire illegal aliens, instead of sponsoring foreign workers with visas? There is no numerical limit to agricultural work visas, unlike most other visas.
The answer is GREED. If you have to treat all your workers like U.S. citizens, you will lose some profit. And why would countries like Mexico and Guatemala change anything? The U.S. takes care of their working poor, and most of the impoverished villages are completely empty of able bodied men. Men who might be inclined to force change in their own governments if they were unable to support their families by working illegally in the U.S.
(Blood is thicker than water)While I'm 100% against the treatment of detainees legal and illegal at Sheriff Arpaio's gulags I can't seem to grasp why New Times is on an open border crusade? The folks that cross the desert are well aware of the dangers in doing so. To enable them should be as criminal as them crossing into this country illegally. What happened to getting work visas than waiting in line for a green card. Instead of sending all of the money back to relatives in Mexico they could be saving for citizenship into this country. New Times writers complain about fences or any other type of deterrent, but they have offered no solution to the problems. The Right can't come up with solutions for anything, but boy oh boy can they bitch. Has New Times taken on that persona?
This article shows the current mess very well. While you can find NMD out in the desert all year, you will rarely see any minutemen out there unless its for a Photo Op or to shootinnocent children like last summer.
Kevin; You are a worthless fool. Get your fix for real journalism and go watch Fox, bitch.
Red dawn, the thought of someone coming over the border to take your menial job away is threatening, I'm sure. Please when your emotions get the best of you, calm down before showing the world how illiterate you are. Calling someone a "commie" for being concerned with human life, is pathetic. As for the minutemen, well If you weren't such the message board warrior, perhaps you'd be out there defending your misguided beliefs and ideology. However you can't show your support with action, you are lazy and equally worthless.
Stephen, great job, it's nice to read a story that doesn't center on Arpaio, that douche is on his way out anyway.
What do you expect from a buch of commies in Tucson? Traitors every one of them. Helping illegals invade our country. CROSSINGTHEBORDER to aid and abet the enemy. Where are the Minutemen when you need themm?
Stephen, You've outdone yourself again. Great article! The people have no idea what is going on in Arizona -- certainly not the America I once knew. This will be a shameful chapter in America's history.
Dennis your comment shows the way -- too bad the military/security industrial complex has taken all our money with nothing left for humanity -- the people, the children, education and community services that all families could benefit from. Instead, those in control chose to close the schools, libraries and child care, so parents can't work. The officials want to maintain an ignorant public who have no voice.
Stephen, You've outdone yourself again. Great article. People have no idea what is going on is this state that certainly is not the America I once knew.
Dennis your comment shows the way -- too bad the military / security industrial complex has taken all our money with nothing left for the people, humanity, education and community services that all families could benefit from. Close the schools and libraries and child care, so parents can't work. The officials want to maintain and ignorant public who have no voice.
It's encouraging to read an article with so many of the people I admire in it. People like Dan Millis, Laura Luardo and others have been my greatest source of inspiration. The members of No more Deaths are the true heros of the immigration movement.
It is an undesputedable fact that White Americans have migrated to Arizona at a rate of over 60% while all others (including those crossing the desert) have migrated at a rate of approximately 30% since 1980. How can anyone deny who the real invaders are? Who is really responsible for the mess this State is in?
Groups like No More Deaths give humanity hope. Humanitarian aid is never a crime but is the responsibilityof all of us.
If we continue to support the current border policies it will destroy us financially. It already has morally. It's time to rethink what we have become as a Nation. More of the same will only cause more deaths. Death as a deterrence is an obscenely cruel policy. It should be stopped immediately.
We need humane solutions. The militaristic ones have obviously failed. Humane one's are cheaper, better for the environment and better for our souls.
No human Being is illegal.
Stephen, this is a wonderful article! It brought me to tears often and I took breaks because my heart broke to read the stories of children leaving their dying mother or sister behind and the undeterred conviction of the volunteers. I had to stop reading several times and come back. Wow!
I truly hope that God will reward all the NMD volunteers for their valiant efforts and service.
I also hope that John Morton reads this.
This is such an ugly chapter in American history and we have not told the story enough.
Stephen, congratulations and thank you for telling the story.
Do you really believe this filth is journalism? This is a pathetic attempt to make law-breakers look like "good guys". The border is called a border for a reason, not that these lame folks would understand anything beyond their own self promotion of how "humane" they are. I hope the Border Patrol jails all of them. You want open borders? Go somewhere else.
There are millions of citizens from countries around the world- some far poorer and worse off than Mexico- who want to come to America, live and work in America, become American citizens. It is high time that everyone has an equal chance at the American dream. End illegal immigration once and for all and revamp the legal process for immigration so that it is fair and equitable for everyone around the world.
As for the fence, If it was properly finished and implemented there would not be illegal immigrants in the desert to die. Perhaps it is time to consider fighting for a Mexico that is the paradise it should be and could be instead of fighting for safer illegal immigration.
"Who cares about the people" thinks Margaret Regan's book is a must-read. Whatever one thinks about illegal immigration Arizona's leaders offer no constructive solutions. They are more concerned with building the border military complex and mass incarceration and collecting billions from the Federal government to build it. Sealing off the borders is not the answer. The people live in an occupied zone. Helicopters going overhead and the desert flower and fauna in ruin. Hunting down the farmers and their children is accomplishing nothing but harm.
Immigration Stories: 'The Death Of Josseline' : NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/s...storyId=124046778#commentBlock
Stephen, Great job presenting the side no one gets to hear. We come here to find out what truly is going on in Arizona and the cost of many innocent lives.
The human element has been missing from the barrage of racist bills being proposed. Arizona will pay a huge price for the hatred and bigotry their "leaders" (tyrants) reign of terror has been played out across America. This will be a sad chapter in Arizona's history taking the state back decades.
Stephen, Great job presenting the side no gets to hear. We come here to find out what truly going on in Arizona and the cost of many innocent lives.
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