Vicki Wang, ‘20 USA
First, we attended a lecture held by a Sierra Club representative. We learned that the kilometers of walls that Trump is proposing to build, has a multitude of environmental and ethical concerns. The construction of these walls disrupt animal migration routes and the flow of small bodies of water. This not only damages natural habitats, but it also destructs agricultural lands through erosion (caused by the uprooting of the plants) and lack of water. The walls are built on U.S. land, so ultimately the U.S. has created areas of “wasted land” that cannot be used for much else. Furthermore, much of the planned routes of the wall trespass into native and protected lands. This is a disruption to both nationally protected habits and indigenous lands.
Second, we met a farmer who owned acres and acres of plantation near the U.S.-Mexico border wall. Though conservative, he also acknowledged the multitude of the issues that the wall brought on, and agreed that the walls might not be the best approach to the immigration issue that the U.S. is trying to resolve. At the same spot, we also met with an immigration patrol officer. Again, he showed similar perspectives that the farmer had, but he was also very insistent in saying that the “coyotes” and “drug-dealers” intruding into the U.S. through Mexico must be stopped. He then showed us what he felt would be much more efficient ways of patrolling the border, such as investing in high tech cameras, motion-/heat-sensing sonars/monitors, and satellite stations.
Last, but definitely not least, we attended an actual court proceeding of Operation Streamline. Streams upon streams of illegal immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries were brought into the front of the court, handcuffed and led by officers. Each person’s proceeding not lasting even 30 seconds, many of them will be directly deported. Only the rare few are given the opportunity to pursue a refugee status. Just like that, the entire proceeding had determined the future of about 100 people in one session.
The series of events that led up to the final blow at the court proceedings that day, truly made me realize how much privilege we have, and the dangerous amount of impact that power has on others. Empathizing with the judge of the court proceedings, I understood the frustration that he felt. Though he was sympathetic to the immigrants, the law is the law, and until that changes, there is not much that he can do. During these court proceedings, there’s rarely any audience below, including the day when we went in. Looking at the scattered people in the audience seat, I truly recognized how privileged we were to sit there and watch. It was an educational opportunity for us, but a painful journey and a devastating life choice for many more, including the immigrants and the loved ones that are depending on them.