Border Patrol Rescue Beacons

I am doing an in-depth research project on Humane Borders, a faith based organization that maintains water stations throughout the desert. The piece isn't done yet, but I have discovered something I stongly support - Border Patrol Rescue Beacons.

You see, what Humane Borders does has become quite controversial. Many say that because the organization provides water for illegal immigrants, they are aiding or supporting illegal immigration. Humane Borders strongly denies these accusations and says they are just doing the humane thing; providing people with water. That seems like a legitimate argument. People have to be pretty coldblooded to argue against saving lives and stopping suffering. But a few of the border patrol agents I spoke with raised a legitimate concern. They say that the coyotes are now using the water stations as a selling point. The coyotes convince immigrants that they will survive the journey because there are water stations in the desert to help them. In reality though, the desert is huge and vast and there are only about 80 stations so the chances of finding one is slim. But with the idea that help will be available the immigrants head out into a deadly desert with a false sense of hope.

So back to my original point - border patrol rescue beacons. The agents that I spoke with said that this is thier alternative the water stations. The rescue beacons are 40 feet tall stations, with bright blue lights on top, and a button with a sign that reads push for assistance. The sign is in English, Spanish, Tohono O'odham and also has a picture gram. When the button is pushed trained medical personnel respond immediately to help the immigrants. Then, because these beacons are operated by the border patrol the immigrants are returned to Mexico. It seems like a win-win situation. People don't die, and nobody can be accused of aiding illegal immigration.

An argument against the beacons that crossed my mind is that the illegal immigrants won't use the beacons because they don't want to return to Mexico. But, I think if the choice is between death and returning home, they will return home. Besides, according to Humane Borders the point of the water stations is not to help illegal immigrants make it into the US, it is to make sure they don't perish in the desert. The border patrol beacons will do just that.

The one problem I see with these beacons is that there are not enough of them. One of the agents I spoke with was concerned that because there were only 80 Humane Borders' water stations in the desert, immigrants that were relying on them would not be able to locate one. Compare that 80 to the 21 rescue beacons that are currently in the desert and the problem seems much worse. The beacons are a great idea, but there needs to be A LOT more of them.

Here are some links to press releases from the border patrol talking about the success of the beacons.

CBP Arizona Border Patrol Rescues Six Over Weekend

CBP Border Patrol Rescues 14 More Illegal Aliens

Here is a story in the Washington Post about the beacons.

Desert beacons lead to illegals

Here is a story in National Geographic that talks about the beacons. Also, check out the photo gallery that is attached to the story. It tells the story better than words can.

Border Patrol: Along the Devil's Highway

Not your average town

When most people hear 'border town' they automatically think of trashy, dirty indistinguishable towns. I can see and hear it in people's responses every time I tell them where I'm from. But Bisbee doesn't fit that mold. Bisbee began as booming mining town back in the 1880s. When the mines closed the town became a refuge for hippies from around the country. With them came culture, art, and an overall feeling of acceptance and peace. Today that feeling remains and has been joined by other groups to create a truly diverse population. Bisbee attracts an older generation, looking to retire and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and intimate community setting. It has a large Hispanic population that bring rich Mexican tradition into the mix. And it has the younger generation who, born in Bisbee, soaked up the diverse community to become unique, diverse individuals of their own. Bisbee is not your standard border town. It is a place with a lot of history, a lot of culture, and a lot of really friendly people.

These videos illustrate a small part of what Bisbee has to offer.

A Walk Through My Front Yard

These are views from different sides of my house. Illegal immigrants come over these hills and head towards town.



This is a wash directly in front of my house. It is hard to see in the pictures above, which is exactly why the illegal immigrants use it as their path into town.



The illegal immigrants leave behind clothes, water bottles, backpacks, gloves, etc.



I came across two barbed wire fences while walking through the wash. Both of them had been cut through so the illegal immigrants could avoid climbing out of the wash.



One of the backpacks that I came across looked much newer than the rest I had seen. I opened it up to find a full change of clothes: a pair of pants, a shirt, and a pair of socks. In the pants pocket I found bus tickets used to travel north through Mexico. The date on the last ticket was from 5 days prior. Most likely the owner of the backpack was in the wash only one day before I was.

Bisbee Beats to it's Own Drum

Since leaving Bisbee I have found that things I consider very normal seem odd to most outsiders (i.e., people who aren't from Bisbee). It is a place filled with diversity and that diversity is the norm. But once I left, I realized that all places aren't so accepting. Bisbee is quite a unique town... people come from Mexico, people come from South American, people come from all over the world, and with them comes a uniqueness I have only encountered in Bisbee.

Check out some of these videos to get a feel for what it is like in Bisbee.

Earth Day Festival

This may seem odd to most people, but scenes like this one are quite normal in Bisbee. The town and its people are very earth friendly and everyone is proud to show it in any way that they can - Even if it is just dancing barefoot to Bob Marley in the local park.

I actually know quite a few people in this video, but that is to be expected in Bisbee.

Art Car

Although this video only shows one, there are quite a few of these cars driving around in Bisbee. Some have a theme (i.e., dolls, Christian symbols, metallic...) some don't, but they are all interesting and creative.

Pride Day

The mayor, Ron Oertle, annouces it official pride day in Bisbee. I interviewed him for one of my stories about illegal immigration. To read the story click here.

Fourth of July Parade

This is our Fourth of July Parade. Believe it or not, it's actually a big deal. Everyone from town comes out to join the festivities. After the parade everyone heads downtown to watch the traditional Fourth of July mucking contest.

Mucking and Drill Contest

This tradition is left over from the mining days. It is one of the many events on the Fourth of July. Others are; the coaster races, the B Hill race, barbequing in the Vista Park, the parade in Warren, and of course the fireworks, which are set of from the top of a tailing pile (dirt removed from the earth during the mining days).

All of these videos show only a miniscule part of Bisbee's uniqueness. It is a place like no other and although I have come across many, many people who turn up their noses at our different ways, I am proud to be a native Bisbean.