Return to Jessica Homepage    
return to course homepage

Borderlinks

 

                           

           The Borderlinks trip was a great experience.  It was an experience I will carry with me forever.  It was able to give a inside perspective to the problems we face today.    

            The trip began in Tucson once we reached the Borderlinks headquarters.  We were greeted by a speaker named, Jennifer Allen.  She told us about the injustices of the local “Protect Arizona Now”, and some of the government unethical policies to the illegal immigrants they find.  The story that stood out most in my mind was about a young woman who went out to her car to get some Advil, while carrying a glass of water.  When she got outside, there was a Border patrol officer there with a gun in her face accusing her of hiding illegal immigrants and giving them water.   This type of action should not be allowed and We as Americans should be embarrassed that this is our law enforcement at it finest.

            Once leaving the house we drove out to Nogales to speak with the border patrol.  He just basically told us the bare essentials of their job.  I wasn’t too impressed with him and he actually gave quite a bad impression.  He came off as quite arrogant and we should be grateful to him.  My experience with the border patrol was not a positive one and did leave a lasting impression.

            The best part of the trip was dinner with natives.  They opened up their homes and kitchen to us Americans.  It was very eye opening to see the way these people live.  And they do live with the bare minimum.  It really showed me I should be grateful for all my family and America has done for me.  The woman showed a great pride in her home and family that I thought was special, something we should strive for as Americans.  That she might not have everything, but she has everything to make her life the best she can at this moment.  She feels blessed for everything she has, even though in my Americanized eyes it didn’t seem like to much. 

            After Lunch we went to the maqiladoras.  I was quite impressed with the one we toured.  It manufactured parts for elevators.  It was very clean and the workers seemed to enjoy their jobs.  The only thing that disturbed me was their wage rate.  They were making a dollar an hour.  That seems a little inhuman to a work a person eight, nine ,ten hours, and not pay them enough to buy groceries at the end of the day.  I don't think those that set the wages would ever work for a dollar an hour.  

        Overall the trip I believe was an success.  I think this was the most important thing we did this semester.  It has taught me not to take my own life for granted and also make my views towards immigrants  much more positive.