Trip to Holtville Cemetery

The day trip out to Holtville Cemetery was definitely an eye opening experience. On our way out to a large ranch to leave water for migrants who have been stuck in the desert, we noticed a large caravan of emergency vehicles on the side of the freeway. We were later informed that two bodies of illegal immigrants had been found frozen to death just off the 8 freeway. A few of the adults went back to the scene to leave a young man who is creating a documentary there to gather footage. We then continued on to the property of a woman who allows us to leave water and tarjetas de su derechas or cards of your rights along the trail of the telephone poles. Apparently this is a route that is easy for migrants to follow if they become lost or separated while crossing the border. We left several gallons of water and then proceeded to leave water closer to where the bodies had been found as well. Enrique Morones explained to us that perhaps if they had made it to the water we left or the blankets they often brought, that their lives could have been spared.

After distributing all of the gallons of water that had been donated, we drove a few more hours East until we reached the small town in El Centro County of Holtville. We stopped in front of what appeared to be a small yet well-maintained cemetery. We quietly walked through the graves until we came to a chain hung between two short poles. Beyond the poles was a very large dirt lot turned muddy from the rain. 20 yards or so later there was a hedge that led us into another clearing, although this was not as barren. Rows upon rows of bricks marked the burial sites of over 500 unidentified immigrant bodies. To our right were cement coffins seemingly waiting to be filled. Border Angels had visited the sight many times before and always made and left crosses labeled No Olvidados, Not Forgotten to pay respects to the people buried. However due to the recent storm, when we arrived many of the crosses were snapped in half and because of the poor quality of the burials, many of the graves had caved in.

I immediately began to cry. The mass quantity of people alone was overwhelming. I attempted to plant a cross and did not have the strength which only worsened my tears. I felt as though the one thing that I could do for these people, I was not even capable of. The whole experience was very emotional for me because I remembered being a family member waiting for someone I loved to cross. We had no contact with them for several days and I can't imagine ever finding out that he ended up there, alone, and ultimately unknown. The videographer asked me to speak to the camera and all I could think to say was that if I had never heard from someone crossing again I would rather convince myself that they had simply moved on and forgotten to call rather than imagine them stacked upon hundreds of other bodies in a shallow unmarked grave with only strangers to pay them any respect.

As saddening as the trip was, I'm very glad I went. It was such a realization to see that the several illegal immigrants whom i consider good friends and family could have very well have ended up like the 542 unidentified people we made crosses for. I'm so appreciative for the safety of everyone I know who has crossed and I feel like if more people saw the cemetery and got to know someone who was brought here illegally, it would be so much harder for them to say that all illegals are criminals or don't deserve the same rights as every other human being. It's only after seeing people who are dead that it becomes apparent how significant their lives were.

**11 Hours

The Haven Day 1

This blog post is far past due however I figure it is better late than never. Last Friday 2/11/11, we spent our first time really working at the Border Angels location, also known as "The Haven." We spent about an hour discussing what it was we were really going to spend our time working on with Border Angels and then had a visit from the organization's founder, Enrique Morones. Mr. Morones is a motivational speaker who has visited our school a few times and is asked to speak all over the country due to the experiences he has had and the incredible things Border Angels has accomplished. We laid our calendar and decided on when we would be taking a trip out to the desert to leave water and finish the cemetery for unidentified immigrants.

We then began making crosses that will be planted at the cemetery when we visit. The crosses are marked with "No Olvidados," which means Not Forgotten. This is to signify that although the bodies may not have their specific family there to pay respects and they may have been buried without any special service, they have not been forgotten or pushed aside due to their undocumented status. I'm afraid that this trip is going to be very emotional for me. Even our Marcha Migrante nearly brought me to tears.

After we made almost fifty crosses or so, we began to clean up the Haven. Border Angels is hosting a university this month and they wanted the Haven to look presentable. All of us either vacuumed or dusted or raked or organized. By the end of our cleaning session, the Haven was nearly spotless. I think that overall our first time was very successful and I'm looking forward to all of us being a part of Border Angels.

**2 Hours

Panera Brainstorm

Today for volunteership we decided to take a brainstorming field trip to Panera Bread. We discussed what our plans were with Border Angels, why we had decided to volunteer with them, and how we thought we could help them. We also came up with quite a few fundraising ideas that we hope will benefit the organization. So far the one that we think will be most successful is renting a dunk tank and having sort of a "carnival" at school. We had one of these at High Tech Middle when I was a student there and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. The only setback is that the cheapest one we can find is around $3000. Without the money that the event would raise, we in no way have the means to actually rent it. So we went simpler and talked to Isabel about possibly just having a food sale. Isabel also asked us to bring any old men's clothing that we have to be donated to the homeless migrants who live in the canyons. Everyone seemed to be really engaged today and I'm hoping that we don't lose that as we get closer to our 40 hours!

**3 Hours

Getting Started

Today was the first time most of us visited the Haven. We didn't really do a whole lot of volunteering - per say - but we did have a good discussion with Isabel about what it was we were planning to do with Border Angels and how we would accomplish it. She seems to be very passionate about her work and I think that it was a bit shocking to some of the students as to how much work she really puts into something that she doesn't get paid a dime for. We discussed possibly painting a mural on a blank wall that is there at the Haven, however Isabel needs to talk to the owners of the church first, since it is technically their property. Isabel has asked me to be the Border Angels Coordinator for HTHI so I will be her contact when she needs to let the students know something or inform of us a volunteer opportunity, etc. As much as I'm a little concerned about feeling overwhelmed, I'm glad that she feels I can be trusted with being in charge of managing the schedule and responsibilities of myself and my classmates. I hope that when we come back to the Haven on Friday we can actually get started on doing something with Isabel and Border Angels.

**2 Hours

Marcha Migrante VI

Today Marcelle, Kim, and I, met up with Isabel, Enrique Morones, and the other Border Angels volunteers to participate in the Marcha Migrante VI (March of the Migrants 6). We walked a total of almost 4 miles from a meeting place all the way down to Friendship Park. Friendship Park is not usually open to the public, however it was opened today for the special occasion. Once we reached the border, there was a large group of people on the other side of the border with posters who were chanting "reforma de imigracion ahora!" (immigration reform now!). Enrique was the first to approach the fence within the park and he gave a motivational call to action speech in Spanish that seemed to inspire the people on the Mexican side of the border as well as the American. We then walked down to the part of the fence that goes through the beach. Here the posts are wide apart and there is literally nothing from keeping the migrants from crossing over. They are technically allowed to come through the posts as long as they stay within about 20 yards of the fence. This area is considered the "no man's land" and Border Patrol is not allowed jurisdiction within that area. One man grew very heated at the rally and began to run toward our group down the beach. Instantly, Border Patrol on quads charged toward the man with their hands on their gun holsters yelling at him to go back. The man screamed and yelled and not until Enrique intervened and kindly asked the men to return to the Mexican side, did he go. It was very strange to think that because someone was born just 20 yards to far south, they are not nearly as privileged as we are and are not even allowed the chance to try and improve their lives here in the U.S. Border Angels is really exposing some truths that I am not sure am okay with accepting.

**4 Hours