At US-Mexico border, a tribal nation fights wall that would divide them

Summary

This report explores the contentious issue of the U.S.-Mexico border wall through the lens of the Tohono O'odham Nation, a Native American tribe whose land straddles the border. Members of the tribe express deep concerns over the wall's psychological, cultural, and environmental impact. The tribe has already been divided by the U.S.-Mexico boundary since the 1854 Gadsden Purchase. While border patrol agents and some local residents support the wall, the tribe calls for alternative solutions such as technology-based security, emphasizing the importance of protecting their ancestral land and preserving cultural practices disrupted by border restrictions.

Takeaways

• 😀 President Trump visited Texas and the U.S.-Mexico border to continue pushing for a border wall, despite the ongoing government shutdown.
• 😀 The border wall proposal has sparked division within the U.S. government and among lawmakers, leading to a partial shutdown entering its fourth week.
• 😀 The Tohono O'odham Nation, a Native American tribe with territory straddling the U.S.-Mexico border, is at the center of the debate over the wall.
• 😀 The Tohono O'odham Nation’s land covers over 60 miles of the border, and the tribe is deeply divided over the wall’s potential impact on their traditional homelands.
• 😀 Verlon Jose, Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation, argues that the border wall would cause emotional and psychological harm to the tribe, comparing it to someone building a wall through their home.
• 😀 The Tohono O'odham have members in both the U.S. and Mexico, and they view the border as an obstacle to family visits, cultural practices, and sacred sites.
• 😀 The creation of the U.S.-Mexico border in 1854, without the tribe’s consent, is a key point of contention for the Tohono O'odham, who feel betrayed by the boundary.
• 😀 Some members of the Tohono O'odham tribe, such as April Ignacio, are concerned that a wall would disrupt wildlife migration and sacred rituals, especially since the U.S. already constructed a fence on their land.
• 😀 Border Patrol officials like Art Del Cueto claim that some tribal members are involved in drug smuggling due to high unemployment and poverty on the reservation, adding to the pressure for stronger border security.
• 😀 While some Tohono O'odham believe a wall would not stop drug smuggling, others, such as Rodney Irby, advocate for modern security solutions like technology, including surveillance towers, to address border threats more effectively.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The transcript discusses the division within the Tohono O'odham Nation over the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, examining its impact on the tribe's land, culture, and daily life, as well as concerns over illegal drug trafficking in the region.

Why does Verlon Jose oppose the border wall?

Verlon Jose opposes the border wall because it would physically and emotionally disrupt the Tohono O'odham Nation's traditional lands and cultural practices. He likens it to having a wall built through one's home, which would have detrimental psychological effects.

What historical event does Verlon Jose reference in his opposition to the border wall?

Verlon Jose references the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, when the U.S. and Mexico drew the international boundary through Tohono O'odham land without the tribe's consent. He sees this as a historical betrayal.

What is April Ignacio's perspective on the wall and its impact on the Tohono O'odham Nation?

April Ignacio believes that the tribe has already compromised enough, particularly when the U.S. built a fence on their land. She argues that building a wall would further exacerbate the loss of their land, water, and resources, and disrupt sacred rituals.

How do some members of the tribe view the relationship between drug trafficking and the border wall?

Some members, like April Ignacio, believe that building a wall will not address the root issue of drug trafficking, which stems from the demand for drugs within the U.S. They argue that the wall won't stop drugs from entering the country, and that the real solution lies in addressing the drug epidemic.

What role does technology play in the discussion about border security?

Rodney Irby, a tribal leader, suggests that modern technology such as sensors and surveillance towers would be a more effective and reasonable solution for border security than a physical wall. These technologies could better monitor illegal activities like drug smuggling and air traffic.

What are the views of Border Patrol agents like Art Del Cueto on the need for a wall?

Art Del Cueto, a Border Patrol agent, supports the construction of the border wall, arguing that it is necessary to ensure border security, especially in areas where there are gaps in the existing barriers. He believes the wall would help control illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

What challenges do the Tohono O'odham people face due to their location on the U.S.-Mexico border?

The Tohono O'odham people face challenges such as restricted movement due to the border, which complicates travel to visit family, friends, and sacred sites in Mexico. Additionally, they experience harassment from Border Patrol agents, as well as the psychological trauma of living in a border zone.

How does Francisco Valenzuela describe his experiences with Border Patrol?

Francisco Valenzuela, a Tohono O'odham rancher, describes frequent harassment by Border Patrol agents, including being stopped, searched, and even having guns drawn on him during routine encounters. He compares the Border Patrol to the Gestapo, emphasizing the tension between the tribe and law enforcement.

What is the tribe's view on the government shutdown and the border wall funding?

The Tohono O'odham Nation is caught in the broader debate over the government shutdown and the funding for the border wall. While some, like Border Patrol supporters, believe the wall is necessary for security, others in the tribe, such as April Ignacio, oppose it on cultural and historical grounds.