Personal Narrative Essay: Border Patrol, Arizona

My body continued to be attacked, as I was unable to escape the mass of mosquitoes hovering around me. There was nothing that I could do except helplessly swat at my arms to avoid being bitten repeatedly. As I followed my trail guide aimlessly into the desert I began to feel my arms ache from the jugs of water I was carrying. Eventually reaching our destination I left the gallon jugs for migrants in the future seeking for help. On this hike I personally experienced the treacherous journey through the desert that migrants take in hope for a better future. Spending five days in Arizona on an immersion trip to help gain a better understanding on the issues of illegal immigration initially worried me. I would be living in a gym of a high school I have never heard of, in an area with rumors of violence. As I took my seat in the bus I began to question why I was even going on this trip. As these thoughts floated through my head, I was still willing to keep an open mind and challenge a belief that is so commonly misunderstood. I went into this trip thinking I knew everything I needed to …show more content…
First we visited Border Patrol, whose agents risk their lives protecting the borders from drug trafficking and violence among the dangers of the desert. There they explained to us all the things they do, and their reasons for doing so. Later that day, we viewed an Operation Streamline court case where the reality of the issue really set in. When I entered the courtroom to take my seat, the sound of jangling chains connecting every defendant’s hands, waist, and ankles filled the courtroom. Five by five the immigrants stepped up for their quick two-minute case, only to be sent out the door and deported. Making eye contact with these immigrants was when they first changed from illegal aliens to people. I could see there sadness in their eyes as they realized their innocent intent for a better future came to an