Immigrants and Borders

According to I Side With,  immigration is in the top 20 for most important and most talked about political issues in America. Brooke Giffin, a senior at Polaris High School, is a an activist on the most important topics today, and she is not afraid to show her voice. She had her own things to say regarding immigrants and borders in America based on a visit she made to Arizona.  

Brooke had the chance to go to the southern border in Arizona and experience immigration issues first hand. She met a woman named Maria and joined her and their group Plymouth Church in this experience. While she was there, she was able to learn more about the complicated issue. She was able to see the deserts that immigrants walk to cross the border and sit in a courtroom and watch streaming court proceedings and the role of the United States in the process.

“It made me understand our role in driving people out of their country and then denying them access into ours. It made me understand the horrific struggles that these immigrants experience.” As Giffin talked  with some residents around the border she said there were no negative connotations coming from Arizona citizens she spoke to on the topic of immigration. They were very understanding on the struggles immigrants have to go through.

“People don’t come here because they want to; they need to and we are the reason for a huge part of that reality.”

Giffin would not have traded this trip for the world, “It was incredibly eye opening. It was really painful to see what people have to go  through to survive but I’m glad I went.”

Giffin went on this trip because she believes something must be done about this.  advises that the ideas we have toward immigrants in America need to shift. She believes teens  need to talk about it and listen to stories. She also hopes other students will support DACA students and other  undocumented children or students. Giffin encourages her peers to start here, with the people they know.