DYLAN ADRA / CONTRIBUTOR

On Sept. 30, undergraduate students and USD University Ministry (UM) staff piled up three vans of people in order to travel across the most crossed border in the western world — the Mexico-U.S. border into Tijuana, Mexico (TJ). UM is an organization on campus that promotes personal faith and practices of the Catholic Church. The organization features activities such as the “Tijuana Day Trip,” focused on “promoting the integration of personal and informed faith,” according to their webpage. 

USD Resident Minister Alec Hartman, the main coordinator of the trip, spoke about UM’s central goals through their service in Tijuana. 

“The power of relationships is at the center of what we do,” Hartman said. “The primary goal is to think of the spirituality of [the] encounter… I recognize my human dignity, I recognize your human dignity, let’s sit down together and share stories.” 

Along with Hartman, the day trip was led by a few USD students. Nicole Cockle, Cindy Avonce and Kai Hopkinson Ramsammy contributed in numerous ways. 

“They accompanied and supported people with their past experiences of going on the trip by taking on leadership roles like giving a little introduction of history to each place and transporting students to and from Tijuana,” Hartman said. 

Students involved with UM spent the whole day engaging in conversation and service work with different communities around the city. They had an opportunity to visit with a parish community, participate in a border tour with multiple stops along the Mexico-U.S. border and dine with migrants/asylum seekers at Casa del Migrante. Casa del Migrante is a non-profit Civil Association that offers support and resources for migrants in Tijuana. The trip marks UM’s almost 20 years of sharing space with individuals in TJ. During their visit with the parish community, Parroquia Maria Inmaculad, the students toured some of their facilities including the main chapel, youth ministry center and even an on-site coffee shop. In each location, a ministry leader explained the roles of each facility and its purpose related to the Catholic faith. 

Leilani Youmans, a first-year at USD, said her experience was humbling. 

“The parish was beautiful. Inside the Chapel was a beautiful statue of Mary. I really liked seeing how another culture celebrates their faith in a unique and loving way.” 

Students then transitioned to a tour along the border led by Hartman, Cockle, Avonce and Ramsammy from UM. Those who participated got a view of the beach and some of the artwork decorating the physical partition between Mexico and the U.S. Before being let off to explore, the leaders of the excursion talked with students about the impacts of the border, including the flow of migration and immigration, the impact on people’s lives and negative effects on the Mexican economy. 

With this information fresh in mind, the students moved on to their next stop in North Tijuana. The team arrived at Casa del Migrante where migrants and asylum seekers are welcomed to stay. Some of the volunteers said this was the most impactful experience of the day, because they had the opportunity to listen to stories over dinner about what life is like for those who are searching for new beginnings. 

Alma Ramirez, part of the team at Casa del Migrante, shared a personal story of her role and what motivates her to do what she does. 

“We take care of the [migrants] that arrive here in Tijuana who were deported or are traveling to get to the U.S. and provide them different services,” Ramirez said. “We are trying to get [migrants] to their families again, but also have a new life here in Mexico, because it’s difficult for them coming from a life in the U.S.,” Ramirez said.

The students put their Spanish to the test by conversing with migrant families. Some spent their time having in-depth conversations with adults, while others played dodgeball with children. Paloma Valencia, a first-year at USD and a student from Mexico, recapped her involvement in the trip. 

“Coming from living on the border my entire life, I have always been passionate about helping with the issues going on with immigration and the injustices people go through on a daily basis,” Valencia said. “I think it’s so important to be involved in things like these, because we learned so much and got to meet new people who are actively working for a better world.”

Paloma highlighted playing with the children and the feelings that emerged for her.

“We got to play with children and it was so shocking seeing how happy they can be in the midst of so much uncertainty.”

Hartman expressed that the initiative of the trip was driven by the desire to create meaningful encounters through interacting, learning and looking for solutions. 

“Encounters are the main goal, both in terms of people — like the realities of the situation in TJ — and with a more educative standpoint, like encountering the border, encountering being forced to come face to face with some of those realities of things we read about in the news.” 

Hartman noted that it’s more than just a project; it’s a chance for people to unite in solidarity and work together. Hartman expressed how understanding and caring for the struggles and liberation of others, such as migrants and asylum seekers, makes helping out more effective in a community. 

A week prior to the undergraduate trip, graduate students had the opportunity to go on the same day excursion. Fr. Greg McGivern, University Chaplain at USD, accompanied them.

“The trip invited us to journey within, in terms of reflecting on the policies around migration and questions emerging out of Catholic teachings about social justice,” McGivern said. “The main goal was to listen to, rather than advise, and to be present.” 

Students stated that they are excited to come back in the near future and continue what they have started. 

“It’s important to continue watering the seeds that you have planted,” Hartman said. 

The next trip takes place on Dec. 2, 2023 and is open to all undergraduate students. Throughout the 2024 school year, there will be two additional service opportunities scheduled on Feb. 23 and Apr. 27 to take the next steps in accomplishing what University Ministry notes is their bigger picture: world peace.

Photo courtesy of Dylan Adra. People standing together and having a beach day beside the Mexico-U.S. border.