Meeting People at the Fence

The final stop on the US-Mexico border is where the fence reaches out into the Pacific between the Tijuana River estuary and the sprawl of Tijuana. There is the International Friendship Park and the final Border Monument where people from both sides can hold hands.

Well theoretically. Today there were two barriers to our getting to the final monument and the fence on the beach.

The Tijuana River running into the US from Mexico has long been the source of contention – especially when it pollutes the surfing at Imperial Beach. But after unusually heavy rain, it has overflowed sludge with sewage and chemical runoff  blocking the access road to the park. We asked Border Patrol if we could get past and were told “Well you can try but, if you go down, you will NOT be happy”. After watching a CBP truck up to its axles in shit, we decided not to try.

So we rode onwards directly to the beach to walk up the fence but when we got there and came close, the border patrol made it very clear we were not allowed to approach the fence AT ALL. This used to be possible but is not allowed now. No touching. No talking. Like a prison visit on both sides.The border monument is also inaccessible because of a second line of fencing and razor wire across the whole area. A depressing prospect of paranoia from all angles.

But one door closes and another one opens. As we contemplated the road blockage, we started to chat to a gentleman riding his bicycle and enjoying his retirement. We ended up having a delightful discussion about our journey along the border with Dr. Refugio Rochin, Professor Emeritus of Chicana/o Studies and Agricultural Economics at the University of California and formerly on the editorial board of the Journal of Borderlands Studies. We should have consulted with Professor Rochin BEFORE we made this trip.

Thank you Dr. Rochin for being so generous with your time and insights on what is happening today at the border and for providing a perfect ending to our ride.

We have much more to learn.

For more about Dr. Rochin – https://www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/committees/csmgep/profiles/refugio-rochin-rodriguez