Innertubes and Immigration

Today we took a break from removing salt cedar (Tamarisk). The team was split and my group drove an hour west to a do tire and innertube removal on refuge land. There were tons of tires scattered on the land. There used to be a tire dump but when the flood came last year it displaced the tires all over the refuge land. We also did innertube removal. I was confused about this at first but quickly caught on. We walked along the banks of the Rio Grande picking up trashed innertubes that had been used to cross the river to come into the US. While we were walking the banks we ran into two border patrol agents. They came to check us out because they said they heard us. We stopped to talk to them for a minute. Asked the procedures. They said that when they catch people on US soil they bring them to the station and document them. Then they either have the UDA (undocumented aliens) voluntarily go back to Mexico (which usually happens if they are compliant and they do not have a record) or they are officially deported which means they can never legally come to the country.

After we passed the BPAs, two of the people in our group stumbled upon two young men coming upon the shore. When they saw our people they got back in the water. One of our guys got the BPAs that had just passed by. The boys who tried to cross made it back to Mexico. They were shirtless and had a black trash bag. There were tons of trash bags along the shore. When they made it back to their side I felt a sense of relief. Good for them. One of them dove in the water to swim. The actual water is no man’s land. People cannot be touched unless they are actually on the banks of the US side. That was really a crazy thing to see. The wildlife tech that we were with said he thinks that about 1000 people cross the river on the refuge land everyday. He thinks a majority make it successfully.

BORDER TOWN

On Thursday while we were working out in a Resaca (which is just surrounded by nature and nothing else) there were some low flying border patrol helicopters going by. Border patrol helicopters are pretty routine to see in the field (this particular Resaca is literally on the Rio Grande river which separates the US and Mexico). However, the helicopters were lingering and kept flying over the same area. It went on for about ten minutes. I was getting an uneasy feeling. Then one of them swooped down and in Spanish said, “where are you guys going.” That was a very weird feeling. Anytime we see border patrol cars flying by with their sirens on, I feel pretty sad. The Mexican border problem is incredibly in your face down in McAllen. Border patrol and people of Mexican descent are everywhere. I find myself frustrated and thinking about the politics a lot. The trailer park we live in is also very close to the Rio Grande, and we live in a barbed wire gated and locked compound, with border patrol vehicles often sitting right outside at night. Our sponsor organization (the National Wildlife Refuge) talks to us often to remind us of procedures for seeing suspicious people. If we see someone or something going on we are supposed to walk away and let a supervisor know, who will then contact border patrol and then we will have to leave. Our sponsors have told us a bunch of stories about coming across a thousand pounds of marijuana. Apparently the drug problem is of highest concern for border patrol, more than individuals coming to live in the US. At least I hope. I am really really appreciating my time living in South Texas. The weather is incredible, the Hispanic influence is amazing, but I am also really appreciative of living in a place that is so heavily influenced by the border problem. It’s important for my beliefs to have real life experience with my political views. Feel more knowledgeable.

So I live in a trailer park. Never thought living in a trailer would be so enjoyable! I have a roommate, Gina. She was one of my friends from orientation. So that’s cool to live with someone I’m already comfortable with and know that I’ll just become better friends with her. My trailer is huge and so homey! There are two bedrooms on either end of the trailer and a sizeable livingroom/kitchen in between. We have AC! And a bathroom and shower. It’s pretty luxurious. Which is really nice because it’s pretty hot down here and the work we do is pretty exhausting. We work with the National Wildlife Refuge to help get rid of an invasive plant species, Tamarisk, that has taken over since a major flood happened last year. Tamarisk is everywhere! We leave for work at 7:15 everyday, get to the worksite around 8 and then work until 3. It’s been hot! One day the heat index was at 105 degrees. We have to wear steel toes, long pants, and long sleeve shirts. It is some sweaty and physically demanding work! There are small Tamarisk plants that look like typical weeds literally everywhere, but then there is Tamarisk that get up to as big as a big tree. We cut it all down. Using loppers to cut the small ones, sawing the ones that aren’t giant, and working with the fire department to chain saw down the big trees. We worked all week at one region of Refuge land. Luckily we will not be staying at the same place for the rest of the time. The refuge has many regions in South Texas, so we will be doing the same work but in other places. The really cool part of the work is exploring. The piece of land we were working on last week was pretty big. Big enough to get very lost. It felt like I was in Jurassic Park. The ground was all separated as if hit by earthquakes. There is vegetation everywhere! While walking around we are constantly walking through bushes, often thorny ones. While exploring we found lots of clothing scattered. People maybe needing to take off wet clothes after crossing the Rio Grande. I’m constantly keeping my eyes open for snakes, scorpions, and white widows. Legit. I would definitely have a panic attack if I saw any of these. Especially a snake, which are pretty common down here. While exploring the Resaca we found a little puddle with dead Alligator fish in it. Apparently it was the result of the flood. Such a strange sight in a dry terrain.

Yesterday we went to the beach on South Padre Island. It was gorgeous. I can’t believe Thanksgiving in this week! Too warm for that! I’m really loving it down here. There’s only like three weeks left of work before heading back to Denver and then heading home for Christmas. This fall has really flown by.

Goodbye Madison

I’ve met a girl who has stolen my heart. Her name is Madison, and she is a 1-year-old Boxer. It was love on first walk. On Monday one of my friends suggested going to the Humane Society of Littleton. There was a huge room full of crated dogs eager to be walked and a room full of like 20 cats to be pet. Everyday the Humane Society has dog walking hours between 12-1 and 4-5. We just show up and ask to walk dogs. On my first walk on Monday I was given Madison. She is just so great! She is playful, so loving, and happy to be going for a walk. We ran and ran. I tried to give her as much exercise in a short period of time so that I could give other dogs a walk. Each dog that I walked I felt so conflicted whether to give them a long walk and a lot of attention, or to give them shorter walks so that I could give more dogs a walk. I’ve gone dog walking every day this week. I always request Madison first. She’s my girl. Don’t worry Scout and Peanut, you’re still my number 1’s. It’s crazy how much spending time with dogs does for my wellbeing. I’m getting service hours for going, but I’m positive that I would go even without service hours. I look forward to seeing the pups every single day.

I said goodbye to Madison today. It’s probably the last time I will see her. I am leaving for Texas on Saturday morning. It’s funny how big of a deal it feels to be leaving. We had induction today and we were officially inducted into the Corps. We wore our formal wear (AmeriTux). It was very “sentimental” (not actually, it was kinda strange and uncomfortable how significant it attempted to be). But I do feel the significance of leaving campus. Orientation is over. That feels like a big accomplishment. It was honestly pretty tough sometimes to be sitting in meetings after meetings being lectured on the most intuitive information, and watching your behavior and appearance, as to not be corrected by a team leader. I felt very watched. But were off to do some serious and meaningful work! I am sad, though, to leave some of the friends I have made this month. I never thought I would feel so comfortable and attached to people after only a month. But I do, and I like it.

Never thought I would be so excited to move to Texas, and to live in trailers! Were setting off in 2 days, and I am just so ready. My team leader, Pita, is just so great. She is so chill and understanding, but I have so much respect for at the same time. Alright, well I am in the middle of doing laundry, so I should probably finish it up. I have a big day of celebrating and final hoorahs to do today.

PEACE OUT DENVER!