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Along the Southern Border of Mexico


((PKG)) US BORDER SERIES
((Banner: Along the Border))
((Reporter/Camera:
Ramon Taylor, Arturo Martinez))
((Map:
San Luis, Arizona; San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico; El Centro, California; Mexicali, Mexico))
((Locator:
San Luis, Arizona))
((JUÁN GONZÁLEZ, SEASONAL WORKER FROM MEXICO))
This is a calm border. There’s crime, but it’s not much, like other large cities.
((CANDELARIO VIZCARRA, SEASONAL WORKER FROM MEXICO))
It’s very calm on both sides. I’ve lived all my life in San Luis, Mexico and since I began crossing (for work) four, five years, they’re very similar.
((HERIBERTO GONZÁLEZ, BORDER RESIDENT))
Calm here and there, even between the two governments and everything..
((MARÍA HERRERA, BORDER RESIDENT))
It’s safer here because the police are more vigilant. It’s more protected.
((KIRSTJEN NIELSEN, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY))

We have no idea what’s coming through areas that we do not have a way currently to properly and adequately surveil.
((Locator: El Centro, California))

((BILL DUBOIS, BORDER RESIDENT))
Illegal immigration is a danger. You should know who comes into the country and why they’re coming, how long will they stay here, and who are they.
((STEVE ANDRADE, BORDER RESIDENT))
They’re leeching our system, and I pay so much taxes every month, believe me, that it pisses me off that all my money goes to those people. You know what, I get nothing out of it! Bottom
line is, the wall -- go for it. National Guard -- go for it!
((Courtesy: Alfa y Omega))
((Locator:
Mexicali, Mexico))

((LAURA ELENA JIMÉNEZ, COORDINATOR, MANA PASTORAL CENTER))

They would come on the train, and would always ask for food. And because we’re with the church, the father said one day, “we should create a migrant house, no?”
((LAURA ELENA JIMÉNEZ, COORDINATOR, MANA PASTORAL CENTER))

We had a small (bedbug) problem, and had to take out the mattresses so we could spray. There are two identical rooms, with four bunks in each one. Sometimes I think we don’t truly understand the situations that these people are living.

Sometimes I’ll ask them, “why don’t you stay in your country with your family? Only beans, but at least you’re together?” “You just don’t understand what we go through in other countries,” they’ll tell me.

((MARIO HERNÁNDEZ, MIGRANT FROM GUATEMALA))
If you have a business and don’t give (the gangs) money -- an extortion -- they kill you. First they threaten you, and if you don’t come up with the money, then they kill you. That’s how it is.”
((MERLÍN SAUCEDA, ASYLUM SEEKER FROM HONDURAS))
(Gang members) killed my dad when I was five years old. And the ones that killed him now don’t trust me. They think I’ll seek revenge, and they’re looking for me.”
((DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES))
Are you watching that mess that’s going on right now? With the caravan coming up? Are you watching this? And our laws are so weak, they’re so pathetic, given to us by Democrats.

((Locator: Calexico, California / El Centro Sector))

((JORGE RIVERA, US BORDER PATROL, EL CENTRO SECTOR))

We’re looking here at a construction site. We are installing now a 30-foot border wall system that is going to consist of about 2.1 miles here from behind me, all the way to the near river.

The main thing is you can see through it, that’s the main thing. This is one of the areas where we receive the most assaults in the nation against agents. So, we’re avoiding rockings (rocks thrown), people coming in to just do harm.

I can tell you that back in 2000, this sector alone apprehended about 240,000 people. Last year, that number went down to about 18,000. It’s been known that infrastructure, technology, and more agents have helped that number to deter illegal immigration, illegal activity in general, and we’re now doing a better job.

((Locator: Mexicali, Mexico))
((MÓNICA OROPEZA RODRÍGUEZ, DIRECTOR, ALBERGUE DEL DESIERTO))

All this border control that the U.S. implemented with Mexico, what happened as a result is that many of those who brought drugs would now kidnap migrants and make them do their work. In Sonora, there are still guys who cross -- who try to cross in Sonora -- and they’re bringing backpacks full of drugs, without even knowing it. They’ll tell them, “You have to bring this and turn it in once you arrive. That’s your form of payment.”
((Locator: San Luis, Arizona))

((GREG, BORDER RESIDENT))
About the National Guard, I totally agree. They don’t go and attack nobody. I mean, it’s just to protect the borders, and I agree.
((CANDELARIO VIZCARRA, SEASONAL WORKER FROM MEXICO))
If it’s for narcotrafficking and trafficking of persons, then it’s good.

((MARÍA HERRERA, BORDER RESIDENT))
It’s very difficult. We don’t want to militarize the border, because you’ll be at home, and always afraid, with the kids. But you also want them to be far from all of this. With narcotrafficking, kids are monopolizing right now. Just along this border, you’ll see kids from school. They’ll cross, and they’ll bring drugs.
((MEREDITH MINGLEDORFF, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION))

Obviously, you can’t affect security with only one solution, right? So, you have to have a layered approach. It does us no good to have security cameras or technology if there’s no agent to respond if we see something, right? So, you have to apply the different tools in the different areas.
((Locator: Mexicali, Mexico))
((RAMON TAYLOR, VOA NEWS)) ((OFF CAMERA))

Will you try again?
((CÉSAR FERNÁNDEZ MORALES, DEPORTED MEXICAN MIGRANT))

No, not anymore.

((RAMON TAYLOR, VOA NEWS)) ((OFF CAMERA))

Not anymore?
((CÉSAR FERNÁNDEZ MORALES, DEPORTED MEXICAN MIGRANT))

Not anymore. It’s very difficult.”
((RAMON TAYLOR, VOA NEWS)) ((OFF CAMERA))

Why’s that?
((CÉSAR FERNÁNDEZ MORALES, DEPORTED MEXICAN MIGRANT))
The border is tightly guarded. There are no more possibilities.
((LAURA ELENA JIMÉNEZ, COORDINATOR, MANA PASTORAL CENTER))
Sometimes some will come to me and ask, “How can I go back like this, defeated?” I tell them, “No, you’re not returning defeated. You’re returning alive.” Many have stayed on the path and wanted to return but couldn’t. “Hold on to that,” I tell them.
((MERLÍN SAUCEDA, ASYLUM SEEKER FROM HONDURAS))
65 kilometers is how long you walk to get to the train. There, they stole my backpack and shoes. I walked about 15 kilometers barefoot. This trip has been very tough. But ultimately, everything is going to turn out okay.
((MARIO HERNÁNDEZ, MIGRANT FROM GUATEMALA))
If I would have come sooner, maybe (my children) wouldn’t be dead. Maybe they would be here with me. One chooses to disappear. You ask yourself, “What am I doing here?” They already took away
the people I love most. So, It’s better. You get disappointed. And once you’re disappointed, you’re willing to do whatever it takes.

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