Fieldtrip Report

This fieldtrip to Nogales really hit me in a different perspective that I’ve never looked at from. When we talked about things like corruption, murders, and the struggle of a family trying to get justice; it puts a different light on what you think about this issue. I can say I was moved by the stories given to us by the tour guide but instead I want to say I want action to be done with this issue. This is a growing issue on the boarder which is planning on expanding its military force. If we don’t find out a way to control boarder agents and find a way to help these people attempting to get into the country illegally, get home safe we will be at a moral loss. This solution to me is not one that would allow citizens cross illegally but I do think it’s essential we secure the boarder in an organized and morally right way.

In the book Yolanda talked about her struggles throughout her life and how she had to overcome so much to be at where she was in life currently. What struck me the hardest was how she explained that females where looked at as equal to men. I remember during the fieldtrip our tour guide explained to us that here single moms are seen as strong and independent. I found it interesting because workers there are treated equal if anything young women are favored to work in the maquiladoras. But their pay is an equal low payout for both men and women. Reasons for this low pay out is a corrupt government one that allowed maquiladoras into the country to boost the economy but provided citizens with close to poverty lifestyles. Although it did provide jobs for citizens in the long run companies can just get up and leave if they feel they are paying these citizens too much. There has to be action by the Mexican government to find a way to increase exports and not really on these companies for jobs.

The story of the two border patrol agents was saddening, Elmer and his campanion where roaming for a drug dealer scout but in the end found a regular Mexican citizen looking for a better life. Their story really highlighted the fact of how heartless patrol officer can be. Shot someone dead and looking for any excuse to justify it. Not even a second thought about telling the truth just letting it go. People in Nogales at that time and even to this day are even more at risk by these border patrol officers. Just like the guide told us about Jose Antonio’s story there is little to no justice. Some boarder control agents are at a different level of inhumane but there is also stories of kind and helpful boarder agents. I feel like militarizing the boarder would be a good idea only if every agent is held accountable and looked at with a close eye. Without that we are just going to keep seeing an increase in murders or deaths.

Hope Torres a maquiladora manager that benefited the community in so many ways really put in her part to change the system. She and her husband established lunch system to feed the kids and input other services to the community with help of contribution of the maquilas. I loved hearing this story in the book because comparing what they did for the community to what he saw on our fieldtrip was amazing. When we toured the maquilas we noticed a daycare for the kids where mothers left their kids while they put in the work to survive. Impactful programs like these are noticeable changes that really show change is something that is possible.

Thanks to Boarder Links and the kind and generous family for really providing us with a look into what a person from Nogales is really going through. The struggles and adversity they go through just trying to find a better life for themselves is tremendous. Stories like the ones in this book really outline strong and emotional stories that put the history of Nogales transformation to what it is today. The experience was impactful and life changing for me.