by Sr. Mary Catherine Clark, ASC
Several ASCs have visited the US-Mexico border to see firsthand the reality of those seeking refuge and asylum in the United States from a wide variety of countries where violence, repression, and pervasive poverty are daily occurrences. Among the more recent were Srs. Dani Brought and Ann Fearday who spent a month of volunteer service at Kino in the past.
At the border – notice plaque in Spanish English.
Also, you can see THE WALL
Our sisters in El Paso are often involved in direct service to refugees and last year Sr. Sarah spent a month at Annunciation House. Other ASCs like Sr. Jenny have joined C.PP.S. trips to the border. My chance came on Wednesday, November 23, when the fall sabbatical cohorts from Redemptorist Renewal Center were able to drive to Nogales, AZ, and walk across to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
For 17 years, The Kino Border Initiative has served the men, women, and children who are in need of many humanitarian services upon arrival in the United States and then deported back to Mexico. We parked on the Arizona side and walked the mile-plus across the border to the KBI which is right inside the Mexico border. There we were welcomed by volunteer Inigo who provided helpful information and prepared us to serve breakfast to about 70 people; most were families from Central America. I was able to speak a little Spanish and see the sincere gratitude they had for safe shelter, meals, and social services that help them move along. They can stay for up to 10 days. Most are awaiting asylum hearings.
The staff was busy with various aspects of administration, social services and strategizing “what next” in light of Jan.20, 2025. However, their spirit is one of hope, compassion, tenacity.
Kino Border Initiative
During the day we were able to learn about Kino Border Initiative, play various games with the children and be refreshed with a special drink and Mexican donuts. I befriended a girl, age 10, who remains in my heart. She is from an indigenous family and Spanish is her second language. She was not yet able to print her name and had part of a finger missing that she often kept hidden from me. She was so precise in her coloring and shading and proud of her work. Shy and self-conscious around the other children, I realized her untapped potential and pray that she and those like her can find the opportunities for a future that her indigenous grandmother is seeking. For security reasons, we have no photos of those with whom we interacted that day.
Nogales Border Crossing
Nogales is one of several official crossing points. There are border corridors along the US-Mexico border with few services to greet them. Volunteers out of Tucson, “Samaritans,” also go out regularly with water, blankets and food to welcome them. On two frosty mornings, some of our sabbatical group went along and heard firsthand the trauma they suffered as they went through Mexico at the hands of cartel agents. These folks are from a wide variety of countries including Afghanistan and African nations. In all our recent encounters, the Border patrol agents were respectful of those “at our doors.” Their main concern is for gun and drug smuggling.
My sabbatical time has been rich with experiences and this day “at the border” is a perfect example!