Borders

We’re standing in a parking lot at the edge of a small town in New Mexico, near both El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico.  A short distance away, there’s a very long, very tall fence.  In a way, it appears random.  But it’s not; it’s the border—the border separating the United States from Mexico.  At home, when I cross the border that ends my state, it’s more of an imaginary line.  Here, it’s a ten foot fence.  Neighbors are separated from neighbors. 

I’m here to listen to a Border Patrol agent talk about the purpose of the fence and the work of his agency.  He’s charming.  He talks about his background.  His parents immigrated here from Mexico “the right way.”  They followed the rules.  Coming into the United States without going through an authorized entry point is a crime.  He is sworn to uphold the laws of the land.

I am attending this presentation because my niece Grace is a volunteer for the Border Servant Corps.  She attended a similar presentation when she began her work and was introduced to the many sides and the many agencies involved with border issues.  She suggested we (her parents, her sister, and her two aunts) attend this presentation scheduled for a group of students from Lone Star College who were spending their spring break studying life on the border.  Our Border Patrol presenter is here so we can understand what they do.  He’s not here “to change anybody’s mind.”  But he doesn’t fully answer all of our questions.  I respect him, but I’m not convinced of the rightness of everything his agency does.  I’m just not sure how it should be changed.

I tend to be politically opinionated, but when it comes to immigration policy, my opinions are vague:  Be compassionate.  Make it easier.  But long term, the issue is too complicated.  I have no answer to promote.

When the agent finishes his presentation, we walk closer to the border.  Some of the college students walk down the fence to where a small group of kids are playing ball on the other side.  The two sides talk a bit; then they toss the ball back and forth, over the fence and back.  For a moment the wall is merely part of the game.