La Migra

"La migra" can refer to several different things depending upon where it is said.  In most of the US, it refers to ICE (Immigration and Customs Inforcement).  These are the individuals decked out in bullet-proof vests who serve primarily to remove people of undocumented status from the United States.  They can be found all across the nation operating detention facilities which house individuals awaiting removal proceedings or raiding the local farm or factory in search of "illegals" (take note that I am not advocating the use of this term).  They operate in various other sectors as well, but I only wish to detail how they fit into the world of the immigrant.

When "la migra" is spoken or heard along the border, it most commonly refers to something very different than ICE, the US Border Patrol.  These are the people guarding our borders, ensuring that the "American Identity" stays a fairly homogeneous blend of multi-generation European American immigrants.  In my time spent on the border thus far, I have struggled with the existence of these heavily armed watch guards.  While I may not agree with the tactics they use or motivations to serve in the Border Patrol, I understand that some sort of protection on both the northern and southern borders is necessary.  I may cringe every time I see a Border Patrol van or black hawk helicopter surveying the desert, but I am beginning to realize that much of the splendor associated with becoming a Border Patrol agent has to do with the fact that it is a high paying government job with substantial benefits, operating heavily in impoverished communities. 

I have had the chance to speak with some Border Patrol agents within the recent weeks, some encounters have been planned, while others have not.  It has become clear to me that their almost limitless budget has been liberally spent in the area of public relations.  It is possible for anyone to simply call the telephone hotline and schedule a meeting with an agent at the fence.  The spokespeople that they send are generally very well-spoken individuals that know what they are talking about and who they are talking to.  They are the "best of the best" in their field and can be somewhat convincing.  They stand in front of the fence and basically just talk about their jobs.  Of course there are things that they can and cannot say, and they generally refuse to answer opinion related questions, but even in the scheduled encounters there is ample room for questions to be asked.  It is worth noting that most of the Border Patrol agents that I have encountered have been polite, respectful, and so bored sitting alone in their trucks in the desert that they have wanted nothing more than just someone to talk to.

Of course there are always exceptions, and not everyone is trained to speak with groups.  As part of the Border Immersion Experience that I am coordinating this year, we speak with some friends on the other side of the fence through the chain links.  As part of my training and orientation, it is important for me to meet our partners before I am with groups, so I accompanied two of the previous program volunteers and a housemate to the fence the meet our new friends.  Any activity at the fence attracts "la migra", so within moments of the start of our conversation we were surrounded by about 5 trucks.  They did not interrupt our conversation or question us, but kept a keen eye to ensure that no illegal activity would take place.  As the conversation was wrapping up, one of the women remembered that she had something to mail in the US.  Because it is easier and cheaper to mail within the US, she slipped us an envelope through a cut in the fence to place in the mail.  This immediately caused a rise with the Border Patrol and within seconds there were 10 people out of their cars to question the transaction that just occurred.  One of the agents seemed particularly suspicious of our actions.  She looked no older than a junior in high school, but compensated for her apparent youth with a bad attitude.  After lecturing us about valid ports of entry she called the women back to the fence and returned the letter.  There is nothing like being scolded by the Border Patrol on one of your first days of work!

In effort to stay somewhat brief, I will wrap this post up.  I came into this experience feeling one way about Border Patrol, but now I am somewhat conflicted.  We cannot criminalize these individuals for doing the job that voters support.  Oddly enough, most of the Border Patrol agents that I have met come from Mexican descent, just looking to make a living.  They see their position more as a way to pay the bills than anything else.  "La migra" is very well-funded, and it is apparent in their appearance.  They all have brand new vehicles and tend to boast about their numerous gadgets.  They carry a gun and several canisters of pepper spray, although most would argue against the level of their ammunition.  The fact that Border Patrol carry guns is particularly baffling to me.

The more I see, the more I learn.  As I progress on my journey, I am beginning to realize that I really do not know much.  I am anxious to challenge myself, as this is only one of many conflicting realities that I will grapple with.