The militarization of the southern US border continues as approximately 400 Marines quietly arrived in Douglas, AZ, in April. They came – according to a Joint Task Force Southern Border spokesperson – to “conduct barrier reinforcement and road improvements as part of the Department of War support to the Department of Homeland Security. They are not involved in barrier construction.” That means that the official purpose for the presence of these Marines is to add more razor wire to what is already on the border wall, and to improve a road that is already maintained by US Border Patrol.
In addition, another official statement says “U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.” Are the Marines protecting the “territorial integrity of the US southern border” by stringing razor wire on the wall? It is difficult to determine if this military presence actually has any other purpose and what these words might actually mean.
What we, as CPT, do know is that a trusted friend reported that a Border Patrol agent told them to leave the road along the border wall, and we have seen the Marines stringing wire while we were on the Mexican side of the wall. In addition, we have heard mixed reactions from community members here in Douglas. While some people are skeptical about this new military presence, others see increased economic opportunity for businesses in Douglas.
Pray for the demilitarization of the border wall. Pray for each and every individual Marine that they might come to understand the futility of their efforts. Pray for just US immigration policies. Pray for the end of war. Lord, hear our prayers.
