BajaNomad

10News anchor Steve Atkinson reveals eye-opening pictures of desperate people living in sand bunkers

Gypsy Jan - 5-9-2013 at 12:27 PM

From ABC News

SAN DIEGO - "No matter where you stand on immigration reform, our long-standing debate and lack of resolve has become a major problem for our neighbors to the south.

Deportations of Mexicans and South Americans who entered the United States illegally have caused the homeless population in Tijuana to explode.

10News anchor Steve Atkinson and a production crew recently paid a visit to Tijuana to see the problem in person. Below is his firsthand experience.

It's difficult to comprehend. In a way, it's something you actually have to see to believe and a little stunning when you do. There are people -- hundreds of homeless -- living in the riverbed of the Tijuana canal.

Our 10News crew was given a personal escort by Tijuana Police to see the large number of tents, shanties and underground bunkers built into the sand dunes that line the concrete canal. The conditions are rough even by homeless standards, but a place these desperate people call home.

On 10News At 5:00, watch as Steve Atkinson investigates this humanitarian problem further and why Tijuana officials consider it a bigger threat than the drug cartels.

The encampments don't end there. Others choose to live inside the dark maze of canal tunnels built to funnel flood waters off Tijuana streets and into the river. Our crew was only 50 yards inside the tunnel before we found a collection of discarded materials and several small shanties built by the homeless who live in the dark, cavernous place.

Escorted by a dozen Tijuana Police, we arrived at a shanty inside a tunnel where we found a woman sleeping. She told us her name is Michelle and that she has lived in the tunnel for the last two months after her deportation from Arizona. She worked at a small grocery store while living in the United States. Michelle tells us through a Spanish interpreter, "I'm willing to get out of this life, but I just need some help. I'm tired of living like this."

Our 10News crew was here in 2006 when only a handful of drug addicts were hiding inside the canal tunnels just to get high. Back then, Tijuana Police hauled them off to jail. But we have returned to find the police no longer make arrests. The homeless population is just too overwhelming.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more than 400,000 individuals were deported out of the United States last year alone. Most are from Mexico or South America and every day hundreds are dropped into Tijuana.

They have no transportation, no job, no money and no home. And many end up in the canal of the Tijuana River.

"We think there are at least 4,000 living there today," says Tijuana Chief of Police Alberto Capella, describing the number of homeless living in or around the Tijuana canal. "Right now, this is our biggest problem."

It is a bold statement coming from the man whose biggest problem just four years ago were the violent drug cartels that fought for territory in Northern Baja California.

"A lot of these people have the idea to go back to the United States," says Capella. "They want to stay in the canal and wait to (sic) the opportunity to go back."



Rather than return to their native cities, most of the deported immigrants stay near the border for a chance to return to America. Many have families back in the United States.



Some are like Ismael, who we met living in an underground bunker built into the sand dunes within the canal.

"Yes, I want to go back to the United States," says Ismael, who worked construction in Riverside before being deported. "My family is there."

Ismael and three other men live in a rectangular bunker the size of a small car. He was pulled over by police for speeding a few months ago and immediately deported for living in the United States illegally. His wife and two children were left behind. Ismail lives in these conditions for the opportunity to one day return to his family.

The homeless problem is everywhere along the canal. They build tree houses and small shacks under bridges near the border. But most are not afraid to make their homes right out in the open in the canal.

Some like Arturo, who we found inside a bunker, make money by recycling. His goal is to raise enough money to hire a "Coyote" and get back across the border to his family in Santa Ana. We asked if it was worth the danger of crossing the border illegally.

"Yes, I don't have a choice," says Arturo, who was a dishwasher for a Santa Ana restaurant. "It's the choice I have to make with my family over there. It's what I'm willing to do to try and go back."

On 10News At 5:00, more footage from under the Tijuana canal riverbed and interviews with the people who live there."

Follow 10NewsAtkinson

drzura - 5-9-2013 at 12:53 PM

ahhhh... poor illegals. With the high unemployment rate in the US and especially California, we need the jobs for U.S. CITIZENS. They can go back home.

sancho - 5-9-2013 at 01:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan



He was pulled over by police for speeding a few months ago and immediately deported for living in the United States illegally.





I'm in the category of being humane to everyone including
illegals entering the US. I do agree they are breaking the law,
and should not be rewarded. I was unaware that a traffic violation would get one deported. A CHP friend of mine said US Immigration would
not bother to come and apprehend illegals he would stop,
unless there were something like 8 or more. Seems the Baja Govt in TJ could fund some sort of temp shelter for
these migrants

The Poor in Mexico ............

MrBillM - 5-9-2013 at 02:22 PM

Are the Responsibility of the Mexican Government.

And nobody else.

deported illegals

akshadow - 5-9-2013 at 03:38 PM

If the Mexican government tried to discourage the illegal crossing of the border there would not be many Mexicans crossing the border. May be the US should agree to pay to return the families to Mexico also, then there would be less incentive to return to US.
Mexico is a tough place to be poor, but it is not the responsibility of the US of A population to solve the problem.
As I understand part of the problem is the inland cities and towns do not want the illegals returned to their home towns so the border drop offs are part of the process now

chuckie - 5-9-2013 at 03:39 PM

Yes... We had a very nice hardworking Mexican, who worked on our ranch in NW Kansas from time to time. His daughter, an honor student in the local high school. In an ICE sweep,he was picked up and deported after having been given some time to settle his affairs. He is an honorable man, and while feeling badly, made it clear that it was HIS problem,no one elses. I am sure he will be back, legally this time, and be welcomed back into the community. His wife and daugher are still in the US..

DENNIS - 5-9-2013 at 03:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM

The Poor in Mexico ............Are the Responsibility of the Mexican Government.

And nobody else.



That's a death sentence. Maybe we can be a bit more creative.

DENNIS - 5-9-2013 at 04:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by akshadow
If the Mexican government tried to discourage the illegal crossing of the border


That would be to discourage their third source of national income, remittances. I doubt we'll be seeing that any time soon.

monoloco - 5-9-2013 at 04:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Yes... We had a very nice hardworking Mexican, who worked on our ranch in NW Kansas from time to time. His daughter, an honor student in the local high school. In an ICE sweep,he was picked up and deported after having been given some time to settle his affairs. He is an honorable man, and while feeling badly, made it clear that it was HIS problem,no one elses. I am sure he will be back, legally this time, and be welcomed back into the community. His wife and daugher are still in the US..
If he was deported for being in the US illegally, it is not likely they will let him back in anytime soon.

chuckie - 5-9-2013 at 04:31 PM

Not true...he has been vouched for and sponsored, Job etc..My guess is in a few more months....Dennis ???WTF are you talking about???? It aint a death sentence, they had lives before they entered the US ILLEGALLY...Not our problem....

DENNIS - 5-9-2013 at 04:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
....Dennis ???WTF are you talking about???? It aint a death sentence, they had lives before they entered the US ILLEGALLY...Not our problem....


I'm not an immigration activist. I am a supporter of the fence.
That said.....to rely on the government to un*** the mess they've made of things and take active responsibility for their disenfranchised is to bury them alive.

Mercy is our responsibility and failure to assume that responsibility is inhumane.
Are we not better than that?

If they had decent lives before crossing the border, they wouldn't have left home.



.

[Edited on 5-9-2013 by DENNIS]

chuckie - 5-9-2013 at 05:02 PM

Maybe if you had a decent life in the US you wouldnt be in Mexico? Sword cuts both ways....Are you here legally? Why cant they do the same thing? I did....

DENNIS - 5-9-2013 at 05:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Maybe if you had a decent life in the US you wouldnt be in Mexico? Sword cuts both ways....Are you here legally? Why cant they do the same thing? I did....


Yes. I am, but according to this, you aren't here at all;
Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Thank goodness I wont have to make that transit anymore after next September...Full time Mulegeno....

chuckie - 5-9-2013 at 06:26 PM

Dennis, concentrate! Try, one and 1/2 weeks to pick up a new truck, does not make me a Nonresident, of MEXICO..

DENNIS - 5-9-2013 at 06:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Dennis, concentrate! Try, one and 1/2 weeks to pick up a new truck, does not make me a Nonresident, of MEXICO..



Whatever you say.
Since we've become so close, you won't mind a personal question, will ya?
I knew you wouldn't.

Are you drunk?

Bajaboy - 5-9-2013 at 07:07 PM

We should legalize it and tax it.....too much demand from the US for the Mexicans to ignore......isn't that the normal argument....

oh wait, what are we referring to again....

slimshady - 5-9-2013 at 09:21 PM

Get to the border and declare Asylum. Mexico issues tourist visas to anyone in the world. Well I have seen Somalians, Syrians, Ethiopians, Haitians, and Chinese get dropped off at the border by smugglers and walk to the Border Patrol Agent and ask for Asylum. They are then held in ICE detention until their matter is heard. Most will stay.

Mexico doesn't want them. They have laws and a strict immigration policy.

DENNIS - 5-10-2013 at 11:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by slimshady
They have laws and a strict immigration policy.


They seem to concentrate their "strict" attention on their southern border. For Americans in Mexico, they tend to be very permissive......only active at ports of entry, so to speak.

sancho - 5-10-2013 at 12:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
They seem to concentrate their "strict" attention on their southern border. For Americans in Mexico, they tend to be very permissive





I was on a bus coming no. in Mex from the Guatamala
border, at a Mex Imm Stop, had my passport/tourist
card ready, Mex Officer didn't bother with me, the
typical Gringo, but quizzed anyone else

chuckie - 5-10-2013 at 12:58 PM

Nice of you to ask, Dennis..No I'm not drunk, are you buying?

DENNIS - 5-10-2013 at 01:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Nice of you to ask, Dennis..No I'm not drunk, are you buying?


Hell yes. They're on me. :lol:

Deport Illegals

bajaguy - 5-11-2013 at 04:48 PM

Yup, that is right, deport 'em...........Mexican INM should do immigration sweeps and deport all Americans and Canadians who are in Mexico illegally and who are in Mexico working illegally without the proper documentation. And for good measure, Hacienda should fine/arrest all those Americans and Canadias who are doing business in Mexico illegally without the proper tax and business documents.

DENNIS - 5-11-2013 at 05:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Yup, that is right, deport 'em...........Mexican INM should do immigration sweeps and deport all Americans and Canadians who are in Mexico illegally


Well...you'll notice that's not the way it works in the states, and that's exactly why it's not done here.
These two governments with their powerful agencies don't want to start a tit-for-tat enforcement contest. The situation as is serves a purpose....cheap labor going one way and money going the other.

Equivalency ?

MrBillM - 5-12-2013 at 09:30 AM

While I have complied with the laws, including immigration, in Mexico over the last 40 years, I would agree that it is well within the Mexican Government's rights to detain and deport ALL who don't.

However, there is quite a difference between Illegals going North into the USA and the Gringos down South.

And, that difference is a DOLLAR ($) sign.

There is NO QUESTION that those Gringos in Baja (and elsewhere) are an Economic benefit to Mexico.

They spend a LOT of dinero down South.

While there is, and will continue to be, dispute over the + or - Economic Benefits related to those Illegals coming into the U.S.

BUT, it's up to the Mex Gov. They can do whatever works to THEIR benefit.

[Edited on 5-12-2013 by MrBillM]

DENNIS - 5-12-2013 at 09:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
I would agree that it is well within the Mexican Government's rights to detain and deport ALL who don't.


Of course it is, but probably not in their best interests.
Quote:

However, there is quite a difference between Illegals going North into the USA and the Gringos down South.

And, that difference is a DOLLAR ($) sign.

There is NO QUESTION that those Gringos in Baja (and elsewhere) are an Economic benefit to Mexico.


Do you think, Bill, that all expats are rolling in lavish riches and spend their days enriching needy Mexico with their generosity?
That's absurd.
The majority of US expats are living down here as a result of publications such as, "Mexico on five dollars a day." They are here for the same economic reasons Mexicans go north....money, or more to the point, lack of it.
Quote:

They spend a LOT of dinero down South.


Mexicans in the states pay four bucks for a gallon of gas, just like everybody else.
Quote:

BUT, it's up to the Mex Gov. They can do whatever works to THEIR benefit.


It's a shared benefit. Otherwise it wouldn't be allowed.

Remember now...my vote is for the fence, and I retain this stance while trying not to be self-righteous.




.




[Edited on 5-12-2013 by DENNIS]

Self-Righteous ?

MrBillM - 5-12-2013 at 04:31 PM

Not ME.

I DO think that EVERY Single Illegal that's discovered should be put in the system and adjudicated. Fine if Mexico decides it's in their economic interest to do the same.

BTW, for THOSE (like Dennis) who are postulating some sort of EQUIVALENCY -----------------

WHAT are the comparative STATS regarding Illegal Gringos incarcerated in Mexico versus Illegals from Latin America in the U.S. ?

chuckie - 5-12-2013 at 05:01 PM

Who really cares..this is a nonsensical debate...The US and Mexico are both sovereign nations. The laws of each country should be obeyed....Illegal is Illegal....

DENNIS - 5-12-2013 at 05:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM

Self-Righteous ?........... Not ME.



Didn't say, or imply, that you were, Bill. I was referring to my concern.

I ain't got no stinkin' stats. Sorry. Maybe you should ask Fulano. :lol:

Speaking of which ...

durrelllrobert - 5-12-2013 at 07:26 PM

I wonder how many illegal Canadians are deported from the US every year? After they arrive back in Canada do they live under bridges or in earthen bunkers?

Counting Castaway Canucks

MrBillM - 5-13-2013 at 10:28 AM

The actual number of Deportations is likely not that high.

Especially, given that formal deportation orders are a tiny percentage for any group.

In the case of Mexicans and others, they are usually just sent home without a formal order.

I haven't heard of any repatriated Canuckies living in caves at home, but they "could" be, I suppose.

Although they speak English (for the most part) and "appear" to be normal, they ARE Canadians, after all.

In any case, most of the Canuckians I've encountered have been solvent enough that they're just down here to escape their Winters and return home (Thank God) when it warms up.

motoged - 5-13-2013 at 10:51 AM

Mr. Bill,



Is that you hiding behind the fence?

Looking out on the fence

MrBillM - 5-13-2013 at 12:15 PM

Watching for invading Canuckials.

motoged - 5-13-2013 at 12:49 PM

That's just what I figured.....:biggrin:

Cypress - 5-13-2013 at 01:17 PM

Any country that can't/won't protect it's borders will cease to be a country in the long run.

Any Country

MrBillM - 5-13-2013 at 02:45 PM

That isn't wary of Canuckians is in Danger.

motoged - 5-13-2013 at 03:34 PM

Yes, be wary of the hostile hordes from the north. They are certainly a threat to the peaceful communities of the USA....not to mention the dastardly lifestyles they lead in Baja.
:biggrin:

No Argument There

MrBillM - 5-13-2013 at 04:29 PM

Having them on BOTH borders is worrisome.

Preemptive extreme sanction might be advised.

It has my support.