Border Aid: What's Happening?

Hundreds of asylum seekers are still being held in open-air detention sites in Jacumba, eastern San Diego County. Migrants are waiting in the harsh climate with no shelter being provided by Border Patrol.

A few days ago, one agent ordered asylum seekers to dismantle yurts that they and volunteers had built with donated materials.

I’m told that there were 35 children at one of the sites today, and roughly 180 asylum seekers total. There are three sites, and large numbers have congregated at each one—having been corralled by Border Patrol agents despite not being officially detained.

I’m told that there were 35 children at one of the sites today, and roughly 180 asylum seekers total. There are three sites, and large numbers have congregated at each one—having been corralled by Border Patrol agents despite not being officially detained.

These asylum seekers are also tagged with wristbands, indicating the day of their arrival. Today, Thursday, I saw some wristbands as old as Tuesday.

When asylum seekers at one camp were being transported to be processed, agents patted down the migrants and confiscated their shoelaces and drawstrings. The requirements for being transported to processing are eerily similar to that of a prison.

When asylum seekers at one camp were being transported to be processed, agents patted down the migrants and confiscated their shoelaces and drawstrings. The requirements for being transported to processing are eerily similar to that of a prison.

Volunteers fed hundreds. Volunteers worked with asylum seekers to rebuild shelter. At the time of writing, it’s 50º F in Jacumba. The windchill and lack of shelter makes these conditions torturous.

Volunteers fed hundreds. Volunteers worked with asylum seekers to rebuild shelter. At the time of writing, it’s 50º F in Jacumba. The windchill and lack of shelter makes these conditions torturous.

Hundreds of asylum seekers are being held in the desert of inland San Diego. Roughly 800 migrants languish in the open-air detention sites in Jacumba, with hundreds in any given site.

I visited three while on assignment today—the first held 300, the second 130, and the third held hundreds more.

I visited three while on assignment today—the first held 300, the second 130, and the third held hundreds more.

Children were present at every camp. Food, water, and temporary shelter were provided by volunteers. Asylum seekers scavenged the brush to augment their temporary shelter.

Children were present at every camp. Food, water, and temporary shelter were provided by volunteers. Asylum seekers scavenged the brush to augment their temporary shelter.

Asylum seekers came from across the globe—several were Kurdish refugees from Turkey, fleeing oppression based on their national identity.

Asylum seekers came from across the globe—several were Kurdish refugees from Turkey, fleeing oppression based on their national identity.

One wristband indicated a man had been waiting in the desert since Sunday.
I overheard an agent mockingly repeat “I’ve been here three days” when discussing transport with another agent.

These open-air detention sites hold asylum seekers in the harsh desert climate for days at a time. Border Patrol has run these sites for eighty days.

People are still being held between Border Patrol’s 30-ft walls on the US/Mexico border in San Diego. Yesterday, families were dropped between the walls, and small children slept in the cold with nothing provided by agents—all blankets, food, and aid came from volunteers.

Despite the horror, children played.

One woman was traveling with her grandchildren. She had previously fallen from a shorter segment of wall, and reported unconsciousness immediately following the fall. She also reported ongoing pain.

Initially, it seemed she (prev post) would have to be separated from her grandchildren to receive medical attention, and her granddaughter wept afraid. Later, the family was transported together, but it’s unclear if the grandmother was treated.

Numerous people have fallen from the wall in the past month. Injuries have been debilitating. Despite the maiming, and despite a death in an open-air detention site, Border Patrol continues this inhumane policy.

Numerous people have fallen from the wall in the past month. Injuries have been debilitating. Despite the maiming, and despite a death in an open-air detention site, Border Patrol continues this inhumane policy.

I’m told that the agency is steadfast in its cruelty in Jacumba as well. Several volunteers have reported 800 or more asylum seekers held across the camps in the desert.

I’m told that the agency is steadfast in its cruelty in Jacumba as well. Several volunteers have reported 800 or more asylum seekers held across the camps in the desert.

Over nearly eighty days, CBP has chosen to direct its administrative and organizational apparatus toward suffering—it has developed a human and bureaucratic machine that produces wholly unnecessary suffering.

Stopped by the migrant camps in San Ysidro and Jacumba yesterday. Conditions remain dire, as several children were detained at the former and detainees at the latter were subjected to the harsh desert climate. Both lacked resources, such as insufficient shelter and restrooms.

I’m told there were about ten children in the San Ysidro camp on the morning I visited. The number of those at the restricted-access men’s camp is unknown. Needs are ongoing, as migrant drop-offs by border patrol are ongoing and may fluctuate or surge.

I’m told there were about ten children in the San Ysidro camp on the morning I visited. The number of those at the restricted-access men’s camp is unknown. Needs are ongoing, as migrant drop-offs by border patrol are ongoing and may fluctuate or surge.

In Jacumba, migrants from all over the globe are being held with no shelter, having to build their own.

I spoke briefly with some men from Brazil who, through a language barrier, tried to ask me how much longer they would have to be there. One of them tried to convey how cold nights could get by clutching his shoulders and saying ice, repeatedly, followed by “night” and “noche.”

When I arrived, agents were in the process of transporting some asylum seekers to be processed. Such facilities are referred to as “the Ice Box,” or “the Fridge.” This alludes to the austere interior, and the frigid air.

Two men were given the chance to be processed. They were given thirty seconds to gather their items and strip prohibited possessions—outer layers, accessories, hats. The agent told them that they would be left behind otherwise. One man had to sprint to collect his backpack.

After processing, migrants are dropped in communities with no support, often with pending dates and plans in other states—sponsors for their asylum process.

I’m told Border Patrol has reverted to dropping migrants at transit sites, having briefly cooperated with community organizations to consolidate drops in a location with restrooms. Volunteers (@ResistDetention ) are on the ground assisting migrants as BP abandons them.

I’m told Border Patrol has reverted to dropping migrants at transit sites, having briefly cooperated with community organizations to consolidate drops in a location with restrooms. Volunteers (@ResistDetention ) are on the ground assisting migrants as BP abandons them.

Hundreds of migrants were held in the Jacumba desert yesterday, including families with small children. Volunteer organizations were the only ones providing hot meals, sufficient water, and other aid.

As the sun set, migrants broke off foliage and branches to fashion into shelter from the hot sun and frigid night. They started campfires to keep warm. They spoke Spanish, Turkish, Chinese and Russian. It’s worth noting that migrants from Mexico were exceedingly rare.

Some families were processed out by Border Patrol. They were loaded into vans and shuttled to a processing facility from the remote campsite.

Some families were processed out by Border Patrol. They were loaded into vans and shuttled to a processing facility from the remote campsite.

Some families were processed out by Border Patrol. They were loaded into vans and shuttled to a processing facility from the remote campsite.

The time spent at the campsite varied. At least one migrant had been there since the 16th—three full days, inclusive. Several others reported being there for two days.

The time spent at the campsite varied. At least one migrant had been there since the 16th—three full days, inclusive. Several others reported being there for two days.

There were only 2 restrooms at the site for hundreds of people. I’m told these were very dirty. Supposedly, a truck came to clean the restrooms in the morning. By evening, they were dirty again. I saw children’s diapers in the restrooms, trash and waste filling up the urinal.

Volunteers provided hot meals, fruit, water, and a charging station. Migrants were in desperate need of power, both to engage with the asylum process and to contact loved ones. Some were unsure of their location, and needed phones to determine precisely where they’d ended up.

There is no substantial mobilization of government resources at this camp. Sustenance provided is scant. Material for shelters are provided by volunteers and built by migrants.

In one of the richest counties in this nation, people are being left to languish in the desert, overseen by agents. Folks like @borderkindness @unipopular_ @/directactiondrumline were out providing aid, and folks like @FreeShitPB were sending donations to the site.

Migrants are still being held between the US/Mexico border walls in San Ysidro, the southern end of San Diego. Over 100 men remain at the closed-access men’s camp, and dozens remain at the camp behind the water treatment plant. There are children and families.

This morning, roughly 100 migrants were dropped at the Iris Transit Center. They are not being connected with resources, and volunteers are having to bridge the gap. Drops occurred yesterday as well.

I’m told Border Patrol admitted to volunteer workers at the border wall that their agency is not providing toilet paper to the men’s camp. A sanitation truck arrived, but the technician was seemingly unable to finish cleaning the toilets due to a mechanical failure.

Yesterday, large groups arrived between the walls, many dropped off or escorted by Border Patrol vehicles. Infants were among them, and they were not provided with food nor baby formula. Many migrants reported not having eaten all day.

A child spoke to me briefly at the wall yesterday. She said she was afraid of using the restroom because it was dirty. Volunteers were able to cheer her up later in the night with hot food.

At least one family reported being shuttled to a hotel and returned to the camp between the walls three times by Border Patrol, due to a lack of space. It’s unclear why such a large and well-funded agency would have trouble placing migrants in lodging.

Conditions from the men’s camp are concerning. Reports from concerned community members indicate that agents are dealing with migrants roughly, shouting orders and using demeaning language. They are patrolling the site with rifles.

Migrants who were conversational at the first camp were fearful and intimidated after being marched to the second camp. A pregnant woman in medical distress was not moved to a hospital by Border Patrol because she didn’t want to be separated from her family.

Several hundred migrants were trapped between the US/Mexico border walls in south San Diego, many having been dropped there by Border Patrol. This is the second time such an influx has occurred and been handled via ad-hoc, informal detention.

I’ll post a more in-depth review of the day tomorrow morning, but there are some key things worth noting: -more than 100 migrants were dropped off early afternoon. Among them were infants and toddlers—and Border Patrol did not provide baby formula to the crying infants.

I’ll post a more in-depth review of the day tomorrow morning, but there are some key things worth noting: -more than 100 migrants were dropped off early afternoon. Among them were infants and toddlers—and Border Patrol did not provide baby formula to the crying infants.

In the evening, roughly 150 men were marched roughly one and half miles to the west, to a separate camp. In addition to the 80 already there, that would put the men’s camp at 230.

The public is not allowed at the men’s only camp. I’m told agents are patrolling the camp with rifles—lethal munitions. I’m told they are harsh, curt, telling migrants to “sit the fuck down.” The hopeful men I photographed marching west were, by all accounts, discouraged.

A pregnant woman experienced medical distress, reporting pain on the underside of her stomach. An agent arrived to take her to the hospital, but she was not transported after refusing to be separated from her child and spouse.

I’m told an agent admonished the woman, saying that she would not gain citizenship by faking pain.

The crisis in Jacumba, with hundreds out in the desert’s frigid nights and scalding days, is ongoing. Migrants are still being dropped at transit centers around the county, with little notice to aid workers and no resources given to migrants.

The crisis in Jacumba, with hundreds out in the desert’s frigid nights and scalding days, is ongoing. Migrants are still being dropped at transit centers around the county, with little notice to aid workers and no resources given to migrants.

Migrants remained between the border walls in San Ysidro, a southern district of San Diego. This afternoon, some hundreds of men were relocated to a camp west of the one pictured—I’m told 380 men are there.

Troublingly, I’ve received multiple reports of Border Patrol dropping migrants at transit hubs throughout the county. Service providers are overwhelmed, and likely being provided insufficient notice.

The aforementioned transit-hub releases have ranged from tens of migrants to hundreds at a time. They are expected to continue for a few days.

Those remaining at the Monument Road site are women, children, and families. When I arrived, were settling in for bed for the night, sheltering under thermal mylar sheets and tarps, sleeping with little between their tired bodies and the hard dirt ground.

Those remaining at the Monument Road site are women, children, and families. When I arrived, were settling in for bed for the night, sheltering under thermal mylar sheets and tarps, sleeping with little between their tired bodies and the hard dirt ground.

Those remaining at the Monument Road site are women, children, and families. When I arrived, were settling in for bed for the night, sheltering under thermal mylar sheets and tarps, sleeping with little between their tired bodies and the hard dirt ground.

Aid workers are going to resume distribution tomorrow morning. A substantial amount of food was transferred to the men’s camp, and some aid workers were allowed on site to distribute much-needed supplies.

Aid workers are going to resume distribution tomorrow morning. A substantial amount of food was transferred to the men’s camp, and some aid workers were allowed on site to distribute much-needed supplies.

Aid workers are going to resume distribution tomorrow morning. A substantial amount of food was transferred to the men’s camp, and some aid workers were allowed on site to distribute much-needed supplies.

Migrants are arriving from all over—some having made the journey from African nations, China, and Central Asia. It’s unclear why these people would be encouraged to cross into Mexico from Border Patrol’s ad-hoc detention facility.

Migrants remain between the border walls to our south today, and volunteers continued to distribute aid. By the time I arrived, Border Patrol had installed two portable restrooms at the site. They appeared to do so using discretionary funds.

I overheard allusions to contractual issues in obtaining more restrooms. To editorialize, a system which stands in the way of meeting people’s basic needs is hardly legitimate.

I overheard allusions to contractual issues in obtaining more restrooms. To editorialize, a system which stands in the way of meeting people’s basic needs is hardly legitimate.

I’m told that asylum seekers are being dropped off at transit stations, some local to the area and some as far north as North County. When CBP can’t provide lodging or housing for asylum seekers, it seems they are released proximal to transit hubs.

A headcount from people on the ground places the camp at 500 occupants. Needs: water bottles, water for cooking, sandwich bread, ramen noodles, fruit, creamer for coffee, large jars of peanut butter, mayo, jelly, canned sliced pineapple, and high protein snacks.

A headcount from people on the ground places the camp at 500 occupants. Needs: water bottles, water for cooking, sandwich bread, ramen noodles, fruit, creamer for coffee, large jars of peanut butter, mayo, jelly, canned sliced pineapple, and high protein snacks.

People are still sheltering under tarps and blankets. People are still in desperate need of aid.

People are still sheltering under tarps and blankets. People are still in desperate need of aid.

Community members continue to supply aid out of their own pockets or form the donations of others while agents provide single bottles of water and a meager two portable restrooms for hundreds of people.

Community members continue to supply aid out of their own pockets or form the donations of others while agents provide single bottles of water and a meager two portable restrooms for hundreds of people.

Hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers are being held between the two border walls on our Southern border. Volunteers have been on the ground since yesterday, providing the aid that Border Patrol is not.

CBP has not provided shelterfrom the hot sun and the intermittent rain. There are no bathrooms at this site—the agency provided a meager two restrooms for more than a thousand people here in May, but provides no restrooms at all today for the hundreds here at the same site.

Agents began processing some of those held between the walls. They used color-coded + dated bands to determine who was eligible for processing, and then prioritized women and children. People were visibly tired. Many were red from the sun. Numerous infants and toddlers cried.

A pregnant woman tried to convey medical distress through a language barrier, speaking Portuguese. She was taken for processing and medical transport, but her spouse was left behind. I’m told this is the norm.

The line for food and water was long and continued to grow, as did the line for charging. There is tremendous need at the site.

Agents appear to be telling migrants they can cross to Mexico instead of waiting to be processed—a false dilemma that needlessly puts people at risk. This may be how the agency is trying to dodge claims that they are detaining migrants.

I’m told volunteers were threatened with arrest last night. As an agent attempted to get a group of people to sit down, a volunteer attempted to reiterate that instruction over their megaphone. They were told they were “obstructing” the agent.

Conditions are dire. People are in need of food, water, and shelter from the sun. Once again, those stuck between the walls are in need of power to charge their devices to comply with CBP’s mandated use of their CBP One app. CBP is not providing power, so volunteers are.

Conditions are dire. People are in need of food, water, and shelter from the sun. Once again, those stuck between the walls are in need of power to charge their devices to comply with CBP’s mandated use of their CBP One app. CBP is not providing power, so volunteers are.

I’m told @AFSCSanDiego and @FreeShitPB are distributing donated items.