The end of the semester looms and I know find myself writing my last blog entry for the semester. I am graduating in less than 20 days and its terrifying. However, I will push the thought of having to do about 1,000 things in the next few days to recount my experience here at Border Beat.
1. Great People
I consider myself very lucky to be a part of a group that worked together in a respectful and cohesive (for the most part) manner. Jay Rochlin (El Jefe) was always willing to help and push us in the right direction and I am sure all of us appreciate him for that. Even though we drive him nuts, John deDios was a lifesaver in nearly every multimedia project we did, so thanks John. The copy editors were great and a special thanks the top editors, Megan Levardo and Alex Garday, who conducted there jobs with the upmost professionalism.
2. Education
I learned a great deal this semester. The reason I enjoyed this class was the fact that I had the opportunity to get out of the classroom and into pretty cool environments to do my work. It was the definiton of learning by doing.
3. Opportunities for the future
It feels good to be able to interview for jobs and tell them that I have developed a great deal of skills in a semester. Online print articles? Check. Take your own photographs? Check. Narrate slideshows? Check. Shoot and cut your own video? Check. What I am getting at is that these skills put me on the top of the pile of resumes simply because I understand how to work in the new age of journalism. I am far from an expert, but I do have a leg up.
It is bittersweet that this is coming to an end since it coincides with me finishing my schooling. However, I am grateful for my time here and I hope every Borderbeater that follows our class keeps the standard of excellence we held and enjoys there time.
4.27.2009
4.13.2009
St. Andrews Clinic
This strays away from the topic of this blog, however it is something I felt is worth sharing .
Two week ago a group of us from Borderbeat traveled to Nogales, Ariz. to visit the St. Andrews Clinic. St. Andrews is a clinic exclusively for children from Mexico. They receive free health care from doctors who travel from all over Arizona and the United States.
Jodie Kristensen and I chose to focus our reporting efforts on the volunteer aspect of the clinic. We spoke to dozens of volunteers and discussed how long they have been with the clinic and why they volunteer their efforts.
On the first Thursday of every month patients, volunteers and families congregate at the church for the medical care, oftentimes the only source of care they recieve. Some of the care provided include, vision, audiology, orthopedics and cleft palate among others.
Photos are of volunteers at the clinic
Two week ago a group of us from Borderbeat traveled to Nogales, Ariz. to visit the St. Andrews Clinic. St. Andrews is a clinic exclusively for children from Mexico. They receive free health care from doctors who travel from all over Arizona and the United States.
Jodie Kristensen and I chose to focus our reporting efforts on the volunteer aspect of the clinic. We spoke to dozens of volunteers and discussed how long they have been with the clinic and why they volunteer their efforts.
On the first Thursday of every month patients, volunteers and families congregate at the church for the medical care, oftentimes the only source of care they recieve. Some of the care provided include, vision, audiology, orthopedics and cleft palate among others.
Photos are of volunteers at the clinic
4.05.2009
X-Ray Technology
The U.S. Border Patrol has begun using X-ray technology to detect drugs, humans and other contraband hidden within vehicles at a Border Patrol checkpoint south of Tucson.
The mobile device called the Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) resembles a standard panel van and is mounted on a Ford F-550 chassis.
“We can drive by any veh
icle of interest and get a picture quality image of what is inside,” said Al White, patrol agent in charge of the Border Patrol station in Nogales, Ariz. “Before we would have to open up and dig through it — that is not an efficient way of working.”
The van is driven alongside a vehicle at around 3 mph, emitting a “pencil beam” of an X-ray source into the vehicle where it then bounces back to the van. The image is then transmitted to and displayed on a laptop computer in the cab of the vehicle, said Mario Escalante, U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector spokesman.
“When it hits organic material it is going to fluoresce and show us where it is,” White said.
There are no permanent radiation sources inside the vehicle. A generator runs an X-ray tube that creates the image, making the amount of radiation negligible, said White.
“We do not intentionally scan human beings,” said White. “But if by chance there is one hidden inside it does little harm.”
The radiation amount is so small that it would take about 800 scans to equal one chest X-ray, White said.
“We are very cognizant of the safety issue associated with this equipment,” he said.
Border Patrol has four of the devices currently in use. There are two others in Texas and one in California.
The van has been in use since Feb. 13 at the Interstate 19 Border Patrol checkpoint. In that time it has detected 1,600 pounds of marijuana, 30 pounds of cocaine, 17 pounds of methamphetamine and numerous people, White said.
Each van costs $665,000 and requires about $40,000 a year in required maintenance, White said.
The Tucson sector currently has 12 agents that have completed the six-day-long training for operating the device and plan to train 12 more agents soon, he said.
It appears that those attempting to smuggle items across the checkpoint have become aware of the new technology, for example, agents recently discovered a lead box containing cocaine and methamphetamine inside a vehicle, White said.
“When the word gets out — we have already seen evidence of it,” said White. “We are going to have to work harder in our efforts to detect what they are hiding.”
Here is a video of the van.
3.23.2009
Calexico, CA
While on spring break from the University of Arizona this past week I stopped by my hometown of Calexico, California and decided to take a few photos of the international border with Mexico there.
Calexico is directly on the border with Mexico, due north of the city of Mexicali, the capitol of the Mexican state of Baja California. Growing up in a bo
rder town like Calexico causes you to become accustomed to presence of Border Patrol, the Port of Entry, illegal immigration, drug smuggling, etc. I could not tell you how many time I have seen people hop the fence and flee from Border Patrol while I was walking down the street. It is just a reality.
Calexico is located in Imperial County, California which has the highest unemployment rate in the country and the lowest literacy rate in the state. It is also home to the New River, the most polluted river in North America. An interesting place to grow up for sure. In actuality it was a great place to grow up.
The photos feature the downtown port of entry, the new river (which serces as a natural obstacle for illegal immigration), and a no-mans land of sorts between the border fence and a road. Enjoy.
Downtown
New River & No-Mans Land
Calexico is directly on the border with Mexico, due north of the city of Mexicali, the capitol of the Mexican state of Baja California. Growing up in a bo
rder town like Calexico causes you to become accustomed to presence of Border Patrol, the Port of Entry, illegal immigration, drug smuggling, etc. I could not tell you how many time I have seen people hop the fence and flee from Border Patrol while I was walking down the street. It is just a reality.
Calexico is located in Imperial County, California which has the highest unemployment rate in the country and the lowest literacy rate in the state. It is also home to the New River, the most polluted river in North America. An interesting place to grow up for sure. In actuality it was a great place to grow up.
The photos feature the downtown port of entry, the new river (which serces as a natural obstacle for illegal immigration), and a no-mans land of sorts between the border fence and a road. Enjoy.
Downtown
New River & No-Mans Land
3.09.2009
All in a day's work
I felt that it would be interesting to do a weekend roundup of the Border Patrol's activity in southern Arizona. The Border Patrol creates media releases nearly every day recapping what took place the day before in the field. Oftentimes, these releases lack any real news value. It is the job of news outlets to review the material and figure out if it is worth writing up — under 1,000 lbs. of marijuana in a bust is usually not considered newsworthy since it happens so often for example. Here is a recap of the weekend activity.
U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered ten firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition after pulling over a suspicious vehicle Saturday near Lukeville, Ariz.
Agents stopped a red Ford Ranger that was traveling south on State Route 85. During the initial inspection, both occupants — a United States citizen and Permanent Legal Resident from Mexico — appeared nervous prompting further investigation.
Agents then found seven assault rifles, two semi-automatic handguns, one rifle and several thousand rounds of ammunition hidden under clothing and inside an ice chest. Both individuals were taken into custody and the investigation is now being led by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Since October 1st of the Fiscal Year 2009, 20 weapons have been seized by U.S. Border Patrol in the Tucson sector. In the fiscal year 2008, 88 weapons were seized.
Also on Saturday, an agent working near Hereford, Ariz. came across 34 bundles of marijuana, weighing over 690 lbs. The estimated value of the load is $554,000.
On Sunday, camera operators from the U.S. Border Patrol's Naco station viewed a group of individuals carrying bundles in the same area where the load was found the day before. Agents responded to the area and located 26 bundles weighing over 540 lbs., valued at $438,000.
As you can see, it was a relatively slow weekend. We must keep in mind that this is what the Border Patrol releases to the media, not necessarily everything that happens. While the weapons seizure has great news value, the last two marijuana busts most likely would not have been covered on any day but a very slow news day at a southern Arizona newspaper. It happens so often that it loses its news value.
Photographs courtesy of U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered ten firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition after pulling over a suspicious vehicle Saturday near Lukeville, Ariz.
Agents stopped a red Ford Ranger that was traveling south on State Route 85. During the initial inspection, both occupants — a United States citizen and Permanent Legal Resident from Mexico — appeared nervous prompting further investigation.
Agents then found seven assault rifles, two semi-automatic handguns, one rifle and several thousand rounds of ammunition hidden under clothing and inside an ice chest. Both individuals were taken into custody and the investigation is now being led by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Since October 1st of the Fiscal Year 2009, 20 weapons have been seized by U.S. Border Patrol in the Tucson sector. In the fiscal year 2008, 88 weapons were seized.
Also on Saturday, an agent working near Hereford, Ariz. came across 34 bundles of marijuana, weighing over 690 lbs. The estimated value of the load is $554,000.
On Sunday, camera operators from the U.S. Border Patrol's Naco station viewed a group of individuals carrying bundles in the same area where the load was found the day before. Agents responded to the area and located 26 bundles weighing over 540 lbs., valued at $438,000.
As you can see, it was a relatively slow weekend. We must keep in mind that this is what the Border Patrol releases to the media, not necessarily everything that happens. While the weapons seizure has great news value, the last two marijuana busts most likely would not have been covered on any day but a very slow news day at a southern Arizona newspaper. It happens so often that it loses its news value.
Photographs courtesy of U.S. Border Patrol
3.02.2009
Marco Antonio Lopez
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner W. Ralph Basham retired this past Saturday, leaving the top post in the agency open to an appointment by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
Her choice for the job — effective this Friday — is 31-year-old Marco Antonio Lopez, former Mayor of Nogales, Arizona. Lopez was born in Nogales, Sonora in 1978, now holding dual Mexican and American citizenship.
Lopez is a graduate of the University of Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and political science.
What I believe to be the most interesting thing about Lopez is that he is somewhat of a boy wonder in the realm of politics. He began his political career as a congressional page in 1994 Washington, D.C., when he was 14-years-old. He was Mayor of Nogales at age 22, from then until age 30 he held several different advisor positions under Napalitano in the state of Arizona.
He also has expressed his ambition to me Governor of Arizona by the age of 40. Clearly, he is ambitious.
This appointment appears a logical choice, being that Arizona is the largest source of criminal activity on the border, someone with extensive experience and knowledge on the area will have a different scope on the problem that has taken strides to being solved but still needs a lot of work.
Detractors however will point to his lack of high ranking experience. Either way, it is an interesting step the Obama appointed staff is taking as it begins its tenure.
Her choice for the job — effective this Friday — is 31-year-old Marco Antonio Lopez, former Mayor of Nogales, Arizona. Lopez was born in Nogales, Sonora in 1978, now holding dual Mexican and American citizenship.
Lopez is a graduate of the University of Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and political science.
What I believe to be the most interesting thing about Lopez is that he is somewhat of a boy wonder in the realm of politics. He began his political career as a congressional page in 1994 Washington, D.C., when he was 14-years-old. He was Mayor of Nogales at age 22, from then until age 30 he held several different advisor positions under Napalitano in the state of Arizona.
He also has expressed his ambition to me Governor of Arizona by the age of 40. Clearly, he is ambitious.
This appointment appears a logical choice, being that Arizona is the largest source of criminal activity on the border, someone with extensive experience and knowledge on the area will have a different scope on the problem that has taken strides to being solved but still needs a lot of work.
Detractors however will point to his lack of high ranking experience. Either way, it is an interesting step the Obama appointed staff is taking as it begins its tenure.
2.23.2009
Testaments
An often understated voice on the border is that of the actual migrants who attempt to brave cold winters and scorching summers.
A fellow Borderbeat contributor Jodie Kristensen and I traveled to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico to the Albergue San Juan Bosco, a migrant shelter. There we met a number of individuals that had either lived in the United States and were deported or were apprehended while crossing the border. Here are what a few of them had to say.
Mario Fabian (right)
"I lived in Phoenix for nine years before being sent back here," said Fabian in Spanish. "I will probably go back to Mexico D.F.
"
"I was picked up by Arpaio," he said. "I was there with the Sheriffs before they sent me back. It was rough."
Cruz Bersian Moguel (below)
"I wish I could have a jacket full of grenades," said Moguel in Spanish. "That way when they catch me again it will blow up."
"They (Border Patrol) treat us like dogs," he said. "They say you are black, you are no good and they throw the food at us."
"I tried to tell them, we are all brothers," said Moguel. "I told them I am not an animal, I come to work and nothing more. I was a criminal, then treat me that way, but I am not. I am a human being."
"They threw me to the ground — the immigration did," he said. "Those who do the crime should pay, I did nothing but try and work."
These testaments obviously do not represent the whole immigrant population, however it does bring up a hot topic of treatment of apprehended immigrants and Border Patrol. This article by Arizona Daily Star reporter Brady McCombs sheds some light on the subject of abuse within the department.
A fellow Borderbeat contributor Jodie Kristensen and I traveled to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico to the Albergue San Juan Bosco, a migrant shelter. There we met a number of individuals that had either lived in the United States and were deported or were apprehended while crossing the border. Here are what a few of them had to say.
Mario Fabian (right)
"I lived in Phoenix for nine years before being sent back here," said Fabian in Spanish. "I will probably go back to Mexico D.F.
""I was picked up by Arpaio," he said. "I was there with the Sheriffs before they sent me back. It was rough."
Cruz Bersian Moguel (below)
"I wish I could have a jacket full of grenades," said Moguel in Spanish. "That way when they catch me again it will blow up."
"They (Border Patrol) treat us like dogs," he said. "They say you are black, you are no good and they throw the food at us."
"I tried to tell them, we are all brothers," said Moguel. "I told them I am not an animal, I come to work and nothing more. I was a criminal, then treat me that way, but I am not. I am a human being."
"They threw me to the ground — the immigration did," he said. "Those who do the crime should pay, I did nothing but try and work."
These testaments obviously do not represent the whole immigrant population, however it does bring up a hot topic of treatment of apprehended immigrants and Border Patrol. This article by Arizona Daily Star reporter Brady McCombs sheds some light on the subject of abuse within the department.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
