Casa de Migrante

I can't believe it's Thursday already. Night activities keep us busy so there's not much time for this whole blogging thing. Today we went to Caritas de Reynosa, a refuge for recently deported immigrants, of which there are several along the border. This afternoon 30 people arrived from Miami and at this shelter they are given food, a change of clothes (if available, sometimes they do not have enough donations to go around), shower, breakfast and dinner and a place to sleep for three nights. Some of the men (there were only about 4 women there and no children, they are typically sent somewhere else) were kind enough to share some of their experiences. There was one man who came to the gate as we were listening to the sister's presentation, recently brought to this border checkpoint by immigration officials, through word of mouth he had learned of this shelter and had to pass through out circle of gringos in plastic patio chairs before he could learn how to piece life back together... It was extremely powerful to see the faces of the people and appreciate their honesty talking to us, accepting our presence there as Americans (whose country had just kicked them out and turned life upside down) and even thanking us for being there...

It seems that previously misdemeanors and jail time could be served in the US without being asked for papers (usually given a warning by the judge) however local law enforcement has teamed up with Homeland Security and in many instances these men are being held for minor offenses and then sent back to Mexico. Many come to Reynosa because of its industry and local factories in hopes of finding work and gaining enough money to cross back into the US. Others make calls home to various states in Mexico or Central America. There were several Hondurans present however when I asked about Guatemalans in became apparent that many are sent directly back to their country. Some Central Americans say they are from Mexico to remain closer to the border and thus try and make it in Mexico until they can again return to work in the states.

There was one man who has some family in Veracruz but the rest is in Miami. He speaks English and doesn't know Mexico at all, he had been in the US for over 12 years. Now confronting deportation, these men go out in search of work from 9am-4pm and return to a strict lights out policy (9pm). For those that are fortunate enough to hear from their families or receive forwarded money to help them start over/return home, they still remain in danger. Gangs along the Guate-Mexico border hold newly deported immigrants ransom and money from families ends up in the wrong hands. These people come with only the clothes on their backs but even thanked the group for coming to learn more about the situation along the border and immigration issues. Some people are sick and need health care, others can't afford the bus fares back home. Regardless of the situation, three nuns run an intake upon the immigrant's arrival and in return ask for respect, honesty and for the guests to pitch in at the albergue. I spoke with one nun, Sister Consuelo who worked in Texas previously. They do work with volunteers so hopefully in weeks where Puentes doesn't have to oversee and group construction teams, I'll be able to help out there. Occasionally, local, federal and international human rights commissions visit to provide information about derechos as well.

La ley es como una telaraña, hecha para
atrapar moscas y otros insectos chiquitos,
y no para cortar el paso a los bichos grandes
ha comprobado Daniel Drew; y hace un siglo
José Hernández, había comparado a la ley
con el cuchillo, que jamás ofende a quien lo
maneja. Pero los discursos oficiales invocan
la ley como si existiera para todos, y no sólo
para los infelices que no puedan eludirla: los
delincuentes pobres son los villanos de la
película; los delincuentes ricos escriben el
guión y dirigen a los actores.

-Eduardo Galeano Patas Arriba.
La escuela del mundo al revés.
(Equipo Nizkor, Violacion a los derehos humanos, retrieved 5 June 2008, http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/mexico/doc/inm.html)