My first day as a volunteer lawyer at the border was at a shelter for asylum seekers here in Tijuana.
There are 3 ports of entry here. But asylum seekers are all routed to only one.
All 7 women I talked to yesterday were given a number, DMV style, and told to come back.
There are 3 ports of entry here. But asylum seekers are all routed to only one.
All 7 women I talked to yesterday were given a number, DMV style, and told to come back.
A mix of Mexican, Guatemalan, Salvadorian and Honduran. All were fleeing persecution from either gangs, cartels, or (in one case) corrupt army officials threatening to file narc charges if she didn't work as an informant.
All were terrified and all wished they could stay home.
All were terrified and all wished they could stay home.
I asked about children and having clear birth certificates to reduce chances of being separated at the border.
And any contact with police, however minor, would be used offensively to create a 'red flag' to separate parent from child. eg, getting swept up in a raid.
And any contact with police, however minor, would be used offensively to create a 'red flag' to separate parent from child. eg, getting swept up in a raid.
I've done border work before, but this is a new line of inquiry.
Still seeing referrals for criminal prosecution, apparently, but it is reduced since zero tolerance was rolled back.
The best part is the look on a client's face when she starts to understand the system.
Still seeing referrals for criminal prosecution, apparently, but it is reduced since zero tolerance was rolled back.
The best part is the look on a client's face when she starts to understand the system.
The hardest part, as usual, is listening to waves of desperate humanity.
These are people just trying to make it. Asylum law is clumsy and a very poor tool to help them, but we use what we can.
I talked to a couple of musicians about growing up in Tijuana.
These are people just trying to make it. Asylum law is clumsy and a very poor tool to help them, but we use what we can.
I talked to a couple of musicians about growing up in Tijuana.
When the border wasn't militarized, people, goods, services, and culture flowed. It was good for San Diego, good for Tijuana.
Militarized borders (born of fear and bigotry) cut off prosperity on both sides, but you see it on this side of the border.
It's about INEQUALITY.
Militarized borders (born of fear and bigotry) cut off prosperity on both sides, but you see it on this side of the border.
It's about INEQUALITY.
What's clear to me is:
1. The existing law is being used as much as possible to deny people the right to apply. Bureaucracy, new interpretations, new policies.
2. The anti-immigrant movement will not stop until they've completely killed the right to apply for asylum.
1. The existing law is being used as much as possible to deny people the right to apply. Bureaucracy, new interpretations, new policies.
2. The anti-immigrant movement will not stop until they've completely killed the right to apply for asylum.
There's a quiet desperation for people here who live in a place where they can see prosperity and safety across the wall but can't get there.
Look but don't touch. The answer is always no. Not sorry, not try later, not try something else.
Just no.
Look but don't touch. The answer is always no. Not sorry, not try later, not try something else.
Just no.
I'm off for another day. More later.
