Many of you know that last month I covered a story about the 1000+ children being held in a detention facility about an hour south of where I live in Southern Arizona. Because of this story an opportunity to tour the border on an assignment for BlogHer has opened up to me.
Jensguy and I will be touring some pretty remote area with firsthand accounts from those who actually live and work on the border, their realities, and what has changed, if anything, in recent months. We will be working with a government aide who we trust and who has served in the area for a number of years. Obviously, there are places that we would like to get into that are currently closed off to reporters, let alone bloggers, but we feel like every perspective that can be gleaned is valuable for a public just trying to understand what is currently going on.
In the most recent news, cases of the swine flu have broken out at the nearby facility in Nogales, and we are hearing daily rumors that it will be discontinued as a stopover. Nearby, up the road in Oracle Arizona, protesters picketed the road to a ranch where the federal government was planning to house more of the immigrant children. Finally, immigrants apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas have been flown into Arizona and released at the Greyhound Bus Stations in both Phoenix and Tucson mostly without care nor a coherent plan for what should be done next.
A friend of mine once told me, “Just because you aren’t interested in politics, doesn’t mean politics won’t be interested in you.”
There is a lot going on for border states right now as we face this humanitarian crisis and I am looking forward to the opportunity I have been afforded to learn more and share with you what I learn. I will post the article specifics on Monday.
Jen
Comments
Wow. As a Canadian, I haven’t heard very much about this… but I look forward to hearing what you discover. I love the quote from your friend.
I will be praying that you are given a clear perspective and that safety surrounds you.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…Keeping It Real
It’s crazy down here Jennifer and I am looking forward to going down and learning more. Thanks for the prayers for safety, we are taking all precautions, but there are some very dangerous people involved in this border situation.
Jen recently posted…JENerally Informed Special Assignment On The Border
Wow I will look forward to hearing more from your perspective. This whole situation we are facing is just aweful.
Susie recently posted…Win Alex the Ambassador of Play & One is Given To A Child in Need
It really is, thanks Susie!
Jen recently posted…JENerally Informed Special Assignment On The Border
Holy cow. I always look forward to your perspectives. I’ll be tuning in for sure.
Stay safe!
Tamara recently posted…It’s My SITS Day, Part 2!
Thanks Tamara!
Jen recently posted…JENerally Informed Special Assignment On The Border
Oh my goodness, just hope you stay safe and you know I will be here to check out your first hand account now for sure.
Janine Huldie recently posted…Starting A Blog – 5 Things You Will Need (SITS)
We’re back, we’re safe and wow what an eye opening experience!
Jen recently posted…JENerally Informed Special Assignment On The Border
HOW EXCITING! Congratulations gf! This is definitely a story that you broke for so many of us. I heard it from you first and couldn’t believe there wasn’t more coverage! I cant wait for your government aide tour. Give us the scoop!
Rebecca recently posted…Wait, That’s Not a Word?
Thanks! I am really excited too, there is a whole bunch I am sure I will learn that I had never even considered.
Jen recently posted…JENerally Informed Special Assignment On The Border
Wow, I look forward to reading about your experience! What an opportunity! I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Sunshine Award on my blog today. You can read about it here. http://www.normaleverydaylife.com/2014/07/the-sunshine-award.html Thanks for being a blogging inspiration to me. I enjoy reading your posts! :)
normaleverydaylife recently posted…The Sunshine Award
Marie that is so sweet! Loved learning more about you. Thanks for the kind thoughts and the honor :)
Jen recently posted…Mommy Reality Challenge #10: Food Foto Face
I’ve been watching this story very closely and a subject that is hard to figure out what to do. So many pros and cons any way you look at it. They need help but at what consequences for our country and our citizens. I can’t wait to read what you discover and first hand experiences. Please be careful in your journeys.
It is tough to know what to do as there is so much hype, hysteria and bad info about the story. As a native Arizonan I had never done an actual tour of the border before, it was eye opening and life changing!
Jen recently posted…Mommy Reality Challenge #10: Food Foto Face
I can’t wait to read your article. I enjoy discussing worldly events/politics and have already formed my opinion on the matter but would love to see your pictures and hear about it from the point of view of someone who is right there in the middle of it all.
Wow. Can’t wait to read about what you find!!
April recently posted…Bad news from the summer that just keeps on giving
Hi Jen, what an exciting/nerve racking opportunity you have been given. I haven’t read you article about the children, but will click there next.
Whatever you do there take care and don’t take any unnecessary risks, after all you have a #mommyreality challenge to host! I look forward to reading whatever you discover there, but most of all stay safe!
Debbie recently posted…Welcome To The Virtual Blog Tour
I’m looking forward to Monday’s post to hear from your perspective.
Celeste @Leapfrog and Lipgloss recently posted…Mommy Reality Challenge #10 and Link Up
Thanks for the support Celeste!
Jen recently posted…Mommy Reality Challenge #10: Food Foto Face
A co-worker of mine just returned from a two week tour working there as a translator. This is such an awful situation and without getting too political, I wish it was being handled better (and long ago).
Rachel recently posted…Turn It Up Tuesday #45
totally agree! After my tour of this area a whole lot surrounding this conversation looks different.
Jen recently posted…My Food Face Photo Mommy Reality