“Do you need workers? We are tech-ready and want to work.” (Russian amnesty-seeker at Puente de Progreso, Progreso, Tamaulipas, México, Friday, the 5th of January, 2024). More questions; more responses: “Mexicans are nice to us. Soldiers are nice to us. Tourists give us food; we don’t ask for it.” All in very good English, from both white Russians and Asian Russians on that same bridge. Many had been there for weeks already, preparing, perhaps, to stay for months more.
Amid a clutter of sleeping bags, small mattresses, colorful Russian Tajikistan blankets, mixed with Mexican serapes, perhaps five dozen or so visible immigrants rested alongside the walkway from Progreso to the U.S. checkpoint. (Artists and art lovers of rasquache design would be thrilled.) Many already had their “number.” which they proudly showed me. U.S. Customs & Border Patrol agents at the mid-point would not answer questions, only muttering “move along;” too bad, for many of the curious, amid the throngs of hundreds of visitors, returning from shopping or margaritas at Arturo’s, desired to know more.
I stopped. I talked. The anthropologist or journalist in me compelled my attraction. The group from Tajikistan, perhaps due to limited English and no Spanish, were not forthcoming. The Russians, on the other hand, seemed glad to chat. “I’m from St. Petersburg,” said one young Asian-Russian. He had a college degree—in “tech”--and wanted to continue study for his Masters.
Time was limited, but some trust was established, perhaps because they admitted they knew the Bond film, “From Russia with Love;” the exchange was, for me, enlightening. They also laughed (yes, I dared) when I asked the young men: “you didn’t want to stay and fight the Ukrainians?” It was evident that was not attractive to them.
I didn’t inquire about family (the main conduit for over half of Russian immigrants) or their ultimate destination. I simply was stunned by their stories—flying from Tajikistan or Russia to Mexico City – source or amount of money? I can’t imagine. Then to Reynosa, then, somehow, to Progreso, a “friendlier” crossing? The chisme, gossip, advice among other immigrants may have guided them.
I commended their bravery. “Thank you,” they said. But I added: “or is it stupidity?” They understood, forgave, nodded and laughed. They were alert, as inquisitive as I: “How old are you?” they asked. They were shocked when I said I turned 86 Christmas Day. “In Russia, over 50 is old!” I asked about religion when I saw a young lady with a Bible; perhaps persecution had driven them out? She said “No.” A young man said “I’m an agnostic. We came for work. In Russia, the government is going well; the people, not so much.” They were quite forthcoming, volunteering.
I shook hands, wished them well--”be safe!” The future? Who knows? Part of that future depends on developing better, speedier U.S. immigration policy. Will conditions, waiting times for admission improve? Mike Johnson, Republican, current US Speaker of the House, demands progress, yet scoffs at the President’s progressive proposal of $15 Billion more for border funds.
The goal is to provide 1,600 asylum officers to speed up processing of claims, 1,300 more Border Patrol agents and 1,000 more Border Protection agents. U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, Democrat of Texas, lamented Johnson’s lack of understanding, his “playing politics,” pretending to know something about immigration, pretending to care, the many fake trips—photo ops—to the border (Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 4 Jan 24). Other Republicans admit “the quiet part out loud;” William Vailliancourt quotes Texas Republican, Troy Nebis, as he hopes to sabotage President Biden: “I will not help Democrats improve their approval ratings” (The Daily Beast, 4 Jan 24).
Others lament the constant Republican and media barrage of misinformation regarding immigration, photos of masses, somewhere, supposedly charging across the border. Mayor Ramiro Garza of Edinburg, Texas, home of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, urges those who will listen to come and see, and to realize “the border region is safe” (Luis Montoya, “Border Life,” Rio Grande Guardian, 5 Jan 24). Of course, he and I realize much of the anger and misinformation is stirred by reality and images of darker peoples, coming from Central America (none were on the bridge today). I also urge: “come and see; take a stroll across the Progreso bridge; enjoy the town, the ambiente, engage the immigrants.” You, too, could do a bit of your own research, up close and personal.
Most of us are not prepared to understand the flux of immigrants from Europe or the former U.S.S.R., or central Asia. (Only approximately five percent of those will be granted refugee or “asylum” status.) Others, luckier, with immediate family, will have to wait their turn. But the big picture is the U.S. is near negative population growth. Boomers are retiring. There is a demand for more workers to maintain and increase economic growth and strength. We were and are a “nation of immigrants;” we should uphold that tradition, fix the system.
U.S. policy, ideally, is based on reunification of families; it is supposedly attuned to immigrants with skills valuable to the U.S. economy. I saw several of those today. Hopefully, if/when their adjudication dates arrive, authorities will recognize their worth, welcome them in. I have served as “expert witness” at various judicial procedures. Most, simply claiming political asylum, especially if they are from Central America, don’t stand a chance. U.S. attorneys are clever and brutal, their mission: “send them back.” Records are old and confusing and easily rigged against the complainant, if he or she has fears of cartels or authoritarian governments.
I am not certain, but it is unlikely the Tajikistanis I met today will see their spectacular homeland (a country of ten million) in central Asia, housing gorgeous natural wildlife and bird sanctuaries, surrounded by China and Afghanistan, again, anytime soon. The Russians? Perhaps love will find them. The Rio Grande Valley of Texas bids them bienvenido, then, buen viaje, welcome and farewell!
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by UT-Rio Grande Valley Professor Emeritus Dr. Gary Joe Mounce. The column appears in The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. Dr. Mounce can be reached by email via: gjmounce@gmail.com.
