West Coast Best Coast

I had the amazing opportunity over Fall break to visit San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, for a border immersion trip run by the Immigration Law and Justice Network (ILJN) and the United Methodist Church. I learned a lot and checked several items off my bucket list including touching a palm tree, touching the Pacific Ocean, eating In-and-Out, and going to Mexico! Pictures are below (in no particular order) with some captions. 

The U.S. is pretty big

Border wall from Mexico. The water near the wall has submerged razor wire.

The Mexican side of the wall had beautiful art 

I really like west coast plants

The view from outside Espacio Migrante (a family shelter + community group)

buddies!

This was the site of a lot of open air detention when asylum seekers were held between the two walls. Most asylum seekers are trying to resettle in Mexico now, and we saw no active camps/open air detention. We spoke with reps from the AFSC who led the relief efforts from that tent.

yum! 

half the group at lunch

Double rainbow! 

Pacific Ocean! 

That's the Matador stadium on the left

Scotty is also from South Orange! He was repping the middle school here. 

Day of the Dead Offrenda in downtown SD for James Earl Jones

Spent our one free afternoon on the beach. I love palm trees. 

Rev. Navarrete from the Border Church led us in communion on the Mexican side. 

AU Group! 

It took about an hour to cross the border that night.