A Park Scholar Initiative Tucson Service Trip A Park Scholar Initiative

A Look at Tucson Baboquivari Peak Mt Wrightson Do we remember why most people travel in the Summer? Tucson is located 60 mi (97 km) north of the United States - Mexico border. Tucson averages 11.8 inches (299.7 mm) of precipitation per year, more than most other locations with desert climates, but it still qualifies as desert due to its high evapotranspiration; in other words, it experiences a high net loss of water.[51] Summer is characterized by daytime temperatures that exceed 100 °F (38 °C) and overnight temperatures between 66 and 85 °F (19 and 29 °C). Early summer is characterized by low humidity and clear skies; mid-summer and late summer are characterized by higher humidity, cloudy skies and frequent rain. - Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson,_Arizona There are a couple mountain passes that most people try to navigate: Baboquivari Peak, Mt Wrightson.

Down the Barrel

Death Map - Data Courtesy of Humane Borders Subset of the data being collected for the past 37 years.

Humane Borders - Over 3,000 have died in the desert since 1999 -- this is only people who have been recorded - Humane Borders is an apolitical organization that advocates for the humane treatment of migrants illegally crossing the Us Mexico border - woke up at 6 am to travel into the desert to refill water barrels - We were only able to travel as far as the mexican border, however humane borders work continues into mexico - As you can see here, tall blue flags are used to show migrants that they are near water - But even these are hard to detect - Each barrel is padlocked. This is because anti-migrant groups have sabotaged these barrels before -- some even going so far as to poison them - As you can see, humane borders test the PH of the water, as well as completing a taste test - They place the saint guadalupe on the top to denote that it is safe - We helped fill up a few barrels on our morning run. It was obvious that a few have them had been used. This need continues during the summer when AZ can go into the hundreds degree wise

The Tohono O’odham Nation “Desert People” Second largest reservation in Arizona US-Mexico Border along the Nation Border crossings Increased presence of U.S. Border Patrol Nation is divided over migrant deaths “Desert People” Second largest reservation in Arizona that includes approximately 28,000 members. US-Mexico Border along the Nation Illegal border crossings → Issues related to drug-trafficking, violence, and environmental destruction Increased presence of U.S. Border Patrol & immigration enforcement technology Alleged Border Patrol harassment and abuse, including the detention and deportation of O’odham members Divided over migrant deaths Mike Wilson: Believes the Nation has a moral responsibility to provide water stations for migrants The Nation’s official policy: Non-intervention

In a Tucson Courthouse U.S. District Court - Tucson Observed initial appearances Operation Streamline U.S. District Court - Tucson Judge Bruce G. MacDougal Federal criminal court Different from an immigration court Observed initial appearances - heard what they were charged with, later court dates were set As young as 18 years old Mainly “illegal reentry” federal criminal charges Operation Streamline Joint initiative of DoJ and DHS (began in 2005) Prosecutes unauthorized border crosses under criminal justice system In contrast to historical policy of “catch and release” or expedited removal (deportation) after formal removal proceedings Up to 70 people tried at same time

Iskashitaa Refugee Network Creates opportunities to integrate UN refugees into the Southern Arizona community while Educates the public Strengthens the local food system Reduces local food waste Increase food security Harvesting & Gleaning: Weighing, recording, culling, composting, packaging, and redistributing the harvest Food Preservation Class: Made BBQ sauce, brownie mix, and marmalade using local food