El Paso, Texas. A rather large city considering its location. With a population of 685,000, the city is nestled in the Franklin Mountains. Plus, El Paso neighbors Mexican city, Ciudad Juarez. That has its downsides though. Border crossings are a common sight in El Paso. Unlike other areas of the border, like Del Rio or McAllen, the Rio Grande doesn’t play as an important of a role in a migrant’s journey. Instead migrants end up making a short trip through the desert or go right into the city.
That affects the lives of those who live right on the border, Including the Chacon’s. The fence on their property is the border wall. Migrants often hop right into their backyard. Some ask why they don’t just move, but there is a reason why. Delores Chacon’s family moved to the United States in the 1800’s and settled down pretty much immediately. They built a house on their own with clay and wood. After multiple generations of living and fixing up the house, Delores and Rogelio Chacon are not going to pack up in leave. They shared their story of what this house means to them and what they have experienced living on the wall.
El Paso has a lengthy portion of border wall, but not every area is fenced off. One area that was without a wall was the American Eagle Brick Company. Cartels are a common sight in that specific area and could easily drive right into the United States. That is until the Peoples Wall was built. I toured the wall that now stands and I spoke with a Border Patrol Agent that said it does help.
The brick mill is actually where New Mexico, Texas and Mexico meet. Right on the New Mexico side is an extremely common place to see migrants. Though it may not officially be El Paso, it’s close enough to have an impact. The area is called Sunland Park. I was able to spend time there and see what was happening. El Paso is different than places like McAllen in the Rio Grande Valley. In El Paso you don’t see near as many family units that willingly turn themselves in. Instead, you mostly find those who don’t want to be caught. Some Mexican authorities do help… the smugglers that is.
The people of El Paso will continue to see their city as a major crossing point. To at least slow the flow of migrants and drugs, something has to be done to increase security. Until that happens, I would not expect to see productive change. El Paso deserves better and America deserves better.