Almost daily mention is made of it in the news.It makes national headlines, not just the local news.Superlatives, ear-catching qualifiers, and attention-grabbing terminology are commonplace.I am writing about what has been described in terms of the unprecedented influx of illegal aliens through the porous border with Mexico; the resulting strain on the US economy and abuse of our social welfare programs, not to mention the terrorist connection or the consequent breakdown of the American way of life.
How important, though, is the broader context, both the historical and the contemporary, if we are to do justice to the current situation!Our ministry has been concentrated along the Borderlands of the Californias for ten years now.We are alien to this land, yet called to minister alongside our Mexican and Mexican-American sisters and brothers.We are Christians, called not just to follow Jesus of Nazareth, but to what American Baptists have termed ‘radical personal discipleship in Christ Jesus.' With all of this in mind, I set about writing a slightly more in-depth analysis of the situation, an expanded journal, if you will, for those interested in the perspective of a missionary who not only lives in the Borderlands, but who normally crosses the actual border more than five times in any given week.
There are two sides to the border.
First, please note that the plural term used, Californias, is not a mistake.There are two Borderlands in question, the extreme southwest for the USA and the extreme northwest for Mexico.Both are strongly influenced by the other. Both reveal demographic facts and figures that differentiate them from their respective countries.In the past, their frontier or peripheral status kept border issues largely confined to local circles, be they in Mexican Baja California, or in the California border counties of San Diego and Imperial. No longer, though, are Borderland happenings of marginal consequence to their respective countries. In fact, cross-border interests and activities in the Californias mirror, to a certain degree, the current world climate where international boundaries have become less and less a barrier to people and their businesses as well to the accompanying relationship building and exercising of influence, be that good or bad.Thus, what was once only peripherally important to the nations as a whole, has moved closer and closer to the core of economic and social concerns.
At the same time, the actual border daily becomes a more and more fortified zone.Border barricades and fences are going up along much of the yet unfenced areas of the mountains and deserts.The corrugated metal barricades in towns and cities are being strengthened and enlarged while the Tijuana-San Diego border now sports a 15 ft. concrete column wall that runs for miles along the urban ways, creating a swath of no-person's land between the old metal fence and the new concrete barrier.We are thus faced with a seeming incongruity, that of an ever-more fortified border that is accompanied by an ever-greater movement of people and resources.
With any discussion or contemplation of the Borderlands and accompanying issues, it is important to keep in mind the double nature of the Californias.Both sides of the border literally depend on the other and one's perspective should not be limited either to that which occurs north of the line, nor to the happenings only to the south.It is noted, for instance, that mention of social problems and issues due to recent immigration on the US side of the border pale in comparison with those on the Mexican side of the border where population has skyrocketed in recent years without the commensurate infrastructure, educational and medical services. Ethnic diversity not only represents a major aspect on the US side but also on the Mexican. The great majority of new residents who move north to the Mexican border states are from points south in Mexico. But they come from many distinct indigenous people groups. Growth of the two largest cities in Baja California, Tijuana and Mexicali, are a case in point.Tijuana was founded in 1889.By 1900 its population was 242, in 1950 it had grown to 65,000, and now there are close to three million inhabitants.Mexicali was only founded in 1903.Its population in 1950 numbered approximately 35,000 and since it has mushroomed into a growing metropolis of over one million people.
A land with a long and storied history.
The Tijuana-San Diego border has long been the busiest international border crossing of the world.The numbers are staggering.Official US government figures for 2004 show a total of 43,000 vehicles that pass north from Tijuana to San Diego each day.More than 171,000 people cross each day.And these numbers represent only the two San Diego-Tijuana border crossings. There are four additional ports of entry between the Californias. The great majority who cross are not tourists, rather Mexicans, all of whom have legal papers as they head to work in San Diego or for visits to local shopping centers and other venues.
The border separating Mexico and the USA, as depicted on maps, often remains etched on one's mind from grade school geography lessons.There is no mistaking the actual border, either, when approaching by road.Yet, that was not always the case. The current line of demarcation between the Californias was, at one time, an unmapped division between two territories within the Spanish then Mexican spheres of influence -- Alta (Upper) California being differentiated from Baja (Lower) California.That all changed in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo that ended the USA-Mexican War.Manifest Destiny is the term given to the forces behind the desire in the United States for greater territorial expansion and influence that began to be seriously played out in the nineteenth century.One consequence was the war with Mexico that resulted in that country losing about one-half of its land to the USA.Not much is heard in the States today about that mid-nineteenth century war, but it is still a topic of conversation in Mexico. In fact, the so-called re-hispanization of the US southwest is viewed by some as a ‘what goes around, comes around' state of affairs.
On the scene north of the border, the end of the war was followed by more than a century in which stereotypic notions of Mexicans were made ever more prominent by American political cartoons, Hollywood and advertisement.For many Americans, then, the mind's eye picture of Mexico, and by inference of Mexicans themselves, became little more than a land of lawlessness south of the border to which outlaws escaped; a land known for its siestas and laziness, its fiestas and debauchery.That concept is changing today.In the fields of California and other southwest states as well as in the restaurants and hotels, who is it that puts in long hours and hard labor for minimum pay?And it is not just in the USA Borderlands where hardworking immigrants from south of the border are known for their willingness, even, eagerness to put in an often grueling day of work that very few others are willing to do.Such comments and words of praise have come from literally one end of the country to the other, from the orchards of northern New England and Washington state, the meatpacking plants of South Dakota, even the remote Appalachian hollers where tobacco must be harvested by hand.
Economics rule the day.
Today that which draws people to Baja California are economic opportunities.In fact, the border states of Mexico are now the fastest growing area of Mexico as families head north in search of jobs.The land abounds with new internationally-owned assembly plants called maquiladoras. Taking advantage of a cheap source of labor and government incentives, they have set up in Baja where today there are over 1200 such factories. A Mexican worker in the maquiladora system earns $6.70 a day, which includes the value of the few meager benefits offered.In order for a family to make ends meet, four or five from the same extended household must hold down jobs. The comparison with wages across the border in California is astounding. Just a few feet away in some cases, a worker in California earns the minimum wage, $6.75 an hour.
Such disparity in wages makes it easy to understand why hundreds of thousands cross the border each day headed for jobs on the other side.It also explains the Hispanic immigrant population that is rapidly expanding in all states.The Hispanic population of the USA is now the biggest minority group and growing at a rate far greater than any other group.Hispanic-Americans numbered 12.5% of the population in 2000 up from 9.0% in 1990 and 4.5% in 1970.The growing buying power of both documented and undocumented Hispanics has become a topic of prime concern for the nation's businesses as companies eagerly cater to both.In addition, much of the earnings of these Hispanic-Americans does not stay in the USA.A good percentage is sent back to family throughout Latin America.For Mexico alone, approximately 16 billion dollars was sent home by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living and working in the USA last year, resulting in the second highest source of foreign income, the first being oil exports.
The disparity in wages between the two countries also fuels the border crossing of undocumented immigrants.There is no shortage of jobs for the undocumented who make it safely across the border and many residents or recent arrivals to the Borderlands of Mexico are looking to cross the line.The number of unauthorized immigrants moving north since 9/11 has lowered substantially.In 2004, an average of 208 undocumented immigrants were apprehended each day in California and 2,409 along the whole southern border.Figures were twice these in the nineties.It appears, though, that the numbers are rising again.Although very difficult to estimate, it is thought that approximately the same amount who are apprehended make it safely to their destinations in the States.With increased surveillance and fortification in the cities and towns, the deserts and mountains have become the northern-bound routes of choice.One result has been an alarming increase in deaths.In Imperial County alone, more than 100 die from exposure or drowning each year.
One sign of hope – a growing church.
The one sphere of life that evokes the least news coverage with regards to the Mexican and Mexican-American population is the religious.Yet, such is first and foremost on the minds of many, if not most, Mexicans.The strong Catholic identity and recourse to traditions, along with devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe are ever-present for many, as witnessed to in jewelry, car and home adornments, as well as the yearly calendar of festivals and celebrations.In many places the Mexican side of the actual border fence is embellished with crosses, skulls and crossbones and the like in remembrance of those who have lost their lives while attempting to cross.Gratitude is also given by many who have made a successful journey north through the retablo or ex-voto Catholic art form, in which expressions of thanks are painted, usually on tin, for the favor received.Mention is always made, either of the Virgin, a recognized saint, or commonly, even to one of the three popular folk heroes who have become ‘special' patron saints for the Mexican Borderlands.The three, Juan Soldado, Jesús Malverde, and Pedro Blanco lived a century ago and despite less than exemplary lives have a legion of folk religion built around them.
That which gives hope, though, is another aspect of religious life that is growing significantly in the Borderlands.I refer to those individuals who have taken to the Bible, to those who look, first and foremost, to Jesus Christ as their key to the past, present and future.They are found, for the most part, in the more charismatically oriented Catholic Churches and home groups, or in the growing Protestant or evangelical churches of the area. It is here, within the evangelical community, and more specifically, the Baptist Churches that this author spends his time.There is no greater joy for him than to witness both young and old gain a new lease on life due to their faith in Jesus Christ.What a privilege it is to walk with Mexican women and men who have been called to church planting ministries!
Easy access to the border has long allowed for substantial interaction in ministry and missions.Traditionally the flow of Christian workers, missionaries and evangelists has largely been from north to south.Recently there has been more and more south to north activity as well.For those Anglo-Americans who come south it is often mentioned how vibrant they find the exercise of faith in Mexico. For those Mexicans or Latin Americans going north, the opposite is often the case as they express concern about how dull, even somewhat unimportant the Christian faith seems to be for many Christians on the US side of the border. Both comments must be understood as what they are – largely first time reactions to a way of doing Church quite different than previously experienced.But the point is taken; perhaps we Christians of the north do have a lot yet to learn.
One thing is clear. Evangelical Christians have long been a formidable force within the Hispanic-American population.For at least a quarter of a century, a full 25% of Latinos in the USA have considered themselves evangelical or Protestant.Meanwhile the evangelical churches of Baja California have seen significant growth.In 1970 only 2.8% of the Baja population considered themselves evangelical.That number grew to 5.3% in 1990, then doubled to 10.6% in 2000.
The Borderlands is a happening place today.We hear aspects of what is going on, usually in bits and pieces.It is all part of a much broader story.Understanding more and more of the bigger picture may help us weigh in on the subject with greater integrity.At the same time there's an even greater story unfolding, for God continues to do His work, oftentimes in very surprising ways and through those we least expect. As we look to what God just might be doing and our participation in that, the psalmist's hymn of praise is as impelling and relevant today as it has been through the ages.
I will praise God's name in Song
And glorify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord
More than an ox;
More than a bull with its horns and hoofs.
The poor will see and be glad –
You who seek God, may your hearts live!
The Lord hears the needy
And does not despise his captive people.
(Psalm 69:30-33)
Tim Long
Chula Vista, CA