Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin - Federation of American ...

Nation Ranger was pursued by men wearing Mexican
military uniforms and driving a military vehicle. 17
Impacts of Illegal Immigration on the
Reservation
Through no fault of their own, the Desert People
are now caught in the middle of an immense crisis
created by decisions made long ago and exacerbated
by perceptions of wealth and opportunity
in the U.S. relative to the poverty and deprivation
that is often synonymous with life in Mexico.
Furthermore, illegal immigration and drug smuggling
on the Reservation directly threaten the best
efforts of the Tohono O’odham to preserve their traditional
culture and way-of-life.
Many illegal immigrants who come from Mexico
to the Reservation arrive in need of water, food, and
medical attention. The humanitarian needs of these
people cannot be ignored by the Tohono O’odham
who must, by tradition, help others in need. On the
other hand, tribal members do not want to be arrested
for aiding illegal immigrants. Because of these
and other similar problems, Tribal Chairman, Ned
Norris, stresses the need for better communications
and consultation between O’odham leaders
and federal officials. Though cooperation between
the tribal and federal government is evident, and
despite efforts by the U.S. Border Patrol to improve
relations with the O’odham nation, many tribal
members believe the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) should show greater concern for the
sovereignty of the Tohono O’odham Nation. 18
Large numbers of illegal immigrants have resulted
in increased levels of crime on the Reservation.
During March 2008 alone, an estimated 15,500 illegal
immigrants entered the Reservation. 19 The
Desert People now find it necessary to secure their
homes because immigrants have stolen food, clothing
and other possessions. Sometimes, people
find undocumented immigrants sleeping on their
porches or in outbuildings near their homes. Until
recently, people who lived on the Reservation were
able to walk through the desert without fear. Now
they have found it increasingly necessary to take
personal security measures in order to protect their
families and their possessions.
Although these problems are immense, one of
the most damaging ramifications of human and
drug smuggling on the Reservation is the instant
wealth that smugglers offer to people who have
lived in poverty and deprivation for generations.
The lure of tax free dollars in exchange for transportation,
food, water, and shelter has led some
tribal members (especially the young) to participate
in smuggling. Additionally, for humanitarian
reasons, some people have established water
stations along well-travelled routes through the
Reservation. Whereas these stations save lives,
they also draw illegal migrants and smugglers.
Water stations are a contentious issue on the
Reservation, and families are sometimes torn
apart by differences of opinion over interaction
with illegal migrants and smugglers.
The Tohono O’odham value privacy and do not
welcome intrusions by outsiders. The smuggling
of large numbers of people and drugs now brings
hundreds of law enforcement personnel to the
Reservation. As Border Patrol agents and employees
of other agencies attempt to apprehend undocumented
migrants and drug smugglers, they often
find it necessary to intrude on the private lives of
the Desert People. Additionally, most of the authorities
who are assigned to work on the Reservation
have not studied the nature of O’odham culture,
values, attitudes and beliefs. Sometimes, this lack
of knowledge leads to misunderstandings and tense
encounters.
Costs of Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigrants leave more than 2,000 tons of
cast-off bottles, clothing, back packs, and human
waste on the Reservation each year. This trash is
more than merely an eyesore; it is hazardous to
wildlife, domestic animals, and local residents. The
Tohono O’odham Nation now finds it necessary to
spend thousands of dollars each year to remove this
garbage. Furthermore, those who live in the small
villages and ranches scattered over the Reservation
are also forced to haul away truck loads of garbage
and waste left near their homes. 20
In 2003, the Tohono O’odham Nation spent more
than three million dollars to combat illegal immigration
and smuggling and these costs have continued
to escalate. This, however, is not the only potentially
disastrous ramification of illegal immigration and
smuggling. The involvement of some tribal members
in these activities seriously complicates the
Nation’s long term commitment to the preservation
of the Tohono O’odham culture. Smugglers are will-
April - June 2009 41