*Harassment
of Mexican-Americans drivers by border patrol agents
in Douglas;
*Mexican-American
homes broken into by border patrol agents searching
without warrants for undocumented persons;
*Physical
abuse and deaths of migrants crossing in the desert;
and
*Harassment
of Native Americans traveling to and from religious
ceremonies in Mexico.
"We came
to investigate human rights abuses, and we found significant
evidence that there are widespread violations caused
by the U.S. militarization of the border and immigration
control," said Gerald Lenoir, coordinator of the Black
Alliance for Just Immigration. "These policies are racist
attacks on the most vulnerable members of society -
immigrants of color."
The tour
began with delegates observing trials of migrants charged
with illegal entry into the United States at federal
courthouse in Tucson. From there delegates heard reports
from Pima County Medical Examiners Office on increased
migrants deaths during passage through the desert. The
group then traveled to the border towns of Douglas,
Ariz, and Agua Prieta and Altar in Sonora, Mexico, to
hear the testimonies of local people impacted by the
increased border crossings and the militarization of
the border. The tour ended with discussions with Pascua
Yaqui leaders and a Tohono O'odham activist, representing
Native American communities also impacted by the militarization
of the border.
"The increasing
numbers of those who have died in the desert is a direct
result of U.S. policy funneling migrants to cross through
the desert," said the Rev. Phillip Lawson, interim pastor
of Jones United Methodist Church in San Francisco, Calif.
and member of the delegation.
Over 200
bodies of migrants are recovered every year on the U.S.
side of the border. Migrants typically crossed into
the United States through urban areas until 1994 when
the U.S. adopted the "Prevention Through Deterrence"
policy of sealing off urban-area borders and forcing
migrants to risk their lives by crossing through desert
and mountain areas.
"The image
that does not leave my head is of 12 men in orange suits
and women in pink, handcuffed and with shackles on their
legs," Rev. Lawson said. "Their only crime was risking
their lives in search of a better life."
Leaders
of Coalicion de Derechos Humanos, a Tucson-based organization,
linked border militarization with the recent immigration
raids and the construction of detention facilities.
"The increase in the militarization of the border and
cities like Chicago and Oakland as well as the expansion
of private prison construction called for by the STRIVE
bill will fuel even more human rights violations," said
Isabel Garcia, co-chair of the Coalicion de Derechos
Humanos.
STRIVE is
a border enforcement bill currently pending in Congress
opposed by the three tour sponsors. "The criminalization
of Latinos and immigrants matches what has been done
to African Americans historically, said Ms. Garcia.
"Already 60 percent of the people in federal prisons
are Black and Latino."
The National
Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights launched a
national community dialogue to expose the militarization
of border and immigration control, explained Network
spokesperson Arnoldo Garcia.
"The BAJI
border tour is a major contribution to the dialogue,
breaking the silence about the thousands of migrants
who have died as a result of U.S. policies," Mr. Garcia
said. "By coming to the border, the BAJI tour represents
an unprecedented coalition to stop the deaths and realize
our demands for justice."
BAJI will
share its findings in forums in several cities and in
a written report that will be submitted to the U.N.
Special Rapporteur on Migrants.
CONTACT:
Gerald Lenoir
510-849-9940
BAJImail@yahoo.com
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