Ride for the border
Thread started by
stillline at 01.30.09 - 3:01 pm
A vehicle for quick crossing
Dumped border bikes show popular tactic
By Janine Zúñiga (Contact)
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
Over the years, Jesse Gomez has picked up uncounted knapsacks, jackets and water bottles left behind by people illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border onto his Tijuana River Valley farm.
But lately he's been stumbling across bikes, dozens and dozens of them. Beach cruisers, mountain bikes and roadsters. The occasional Trek or Huffy, but mostly cheaper models with rusted frames and torn seats.
So many bikes that Gomez has outfitted his extended family, neighbors and friends and donated surplus to his church. The U.S. Border Patrol, which also has noticed the increase in bike crossings, had been donating bicycles it found in the area to a local prison to refurbish.
“But in the past year, they have become such an issue,” Border Patrol spokesman Jerry Conlin said. “The prison was getting inundated to the point they couldn't handle all the bikes and had to stop that program.”
Border crossers along California's rugged southwestern edge are hopping aboard the two-wheelers to evade agents and to more easily navigate the rocky mesas that straddle the two countries.
“For them, it's a quicker means of getting from Point A to Point B on that type of terrain,” Conlin said.
No one is sure exactly when the border-bike phenomenon began or why, but Gomez and his son, David, 22, said they began noticing the bikes in late 2007.
“All of a sudden, it just started,” Gomez said.
Border Patrol agents have apprehended bicyclists in Arizona and Texas, according to news reports, but not in the numbers seen in south San Diego. Border Patrol officials say riders abandon the bikes after being apprehended or ditch them to avoid getting caught.
Rafael Hernandez, director of the Border Angels humanitarian group that searches for lost border crossers, said he also has seen more bikes lately. He said riders hoist the bikes over the border fence using rope and try to blend in with the regular bike traffic on Hollister Street and Monument and Dairy Mart roads in the river valley.
“They're hoping the Border Patrol thinks that because they have bikes, they're from around the neighborhood,” Hernandez said.
Biking may be quicker than walking and provide camouflage, but it's not without its dangers on the cobblestone-covered hills between the border and the first roadways about half a mile north.
One border crosser told Hernandez that he accidentally rode off a cliff while on a bike.
“He said it was dark and he couldn't see where he was going,” said Hernandez, who took the man to a hospital after he was deported to Tijuana.
He had a concussion and bruises but no broken bones, Hernandez said.
Gomez leases about 38 acres in the river valley, much of it flat farmland. But about 8 acres are south of Monument Road, near the border. On one day alone, the Gomezes found 14 bikes on their property. They also met a Border Patrol agent whose Jeep was parked near several abandoned bikes.
Gomez now has more than 150 bicycles of all varieties on his property – and that's after donating some to his church. Each of his family members has a bike assembled from the best parts of recovered bicycles.
“We like those beach cruisers,” Gomez said. “We get our exercise. We ride to Border Field State Park and around the farm.”
Border Patrol spokesman Conlin said his agency checks serial numbers on all bikes that agents find and looks for evidence that they might have transported drugs. None has been reported stolen in the United States.
In 1995, agents began sending abandoned bikes to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in Otay Mesa, where inmates restored them and donated them as holiday gifts to the county's court school program and continuation school students.
When the prison program became overwhelmed by the large number of bikes, agents began donating them to Goodwill Industries of San Diego County. Conlin said 256 bikes were delivered in the past year to Goodwill.
The bikes are cleaned and sold “as is,” said San Diego Goodwill Chief Executive Mike Rowan.
“Their option could have been to trash them, but instead they decided to reuse and recycle,” he said. “We get all kinds, from old, rusty, broken-down ones to nice new ones that are fun to ride. People buy them.”
Conlin said a new secondary fence being constructed at the border should slow down the bicycle crossings. It will create a wide and better-protected open space between the old fence and the new one.
Gomez wonders how long border biking will last. Some of his neighbors used to collect the bikes, but most don't go out of their way any more to pick them up from the roads surrounding their properties.
“The first few bikes, that was exciting,” Gomez said. “But then, it's like, oh, we gotta go pick them up.”
Staff writer Hiram Soto contributed to this report.
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"The occasional Trek or Huffy, but mostly cheaper models..."
Hahaha, they make it sound like Huffys aren't piles of shit.
toweliesbong01.30.09 - 3:25 pm
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LOL!
I started MR with a Huffy 2years ago.
DeKadenzy01.30.09 - 3:49 pm
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Whats crappier than a Magna? Anything?
stillline01.30.09 - 5:26 pm
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the worst bike i've seen with a brand name was a Pacific.
Cranktankerous01.30.09 - 7:21 pm
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hmmmmm they are teaching prisoners to refurbish bikes.
since our corrections system has a craptastic record for rehab
this sorta sounds like great training for a lot of future bike theft rings.
trickmilla02.1.09 - 12:45 pm
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Many people die crossing the desert. Being on a bike can definitely help cut down on the amount of deaths these people face. Sure, it's dangerous, but still better than dying of heat stroke or lack of water.
Also, although they end up in jail, they're not "criminals" in the sense you might think. The people crossing in the desert aren't smugglers and criminals, they're trying to have a better life in the U.S. So, the bike theft rings is a gross assumption, in my opinion.
kryxtanicole02.1.09 - 1:08 pm
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the whole point of this thread is........
TAKE THE TRAIN TO SAN DIEGO AND THEN RIDE TO THE TIJUANA BORDER AND COLLECT FREE BIKES!!!!!!
Make a freak bike. Make a polo Bike. Make a sex bike or even a REALLY kinky sex bike... whatever you like..... JUST FREE BIKES!!!!!!!
stillline02.1.09 - 1:57 pm
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I don't understand why they have to do it that way.
I mean, there are embassies and such down there through which potential citizens could obtain paperwork for citizenship purposes.
But, then there's always the usual, lack of money which prevents them from doing so.
They see one person jump the border-barrier, now it becomes an overgrown nuisance to the point that we have too many of them here living under the radar at any costs to avoid detection.
If anything, deportees should at least be given a proper lecture on the procedures and the responsibilities of becoming a citizen here before being shipped back across the border.
We've got to make it so that if they do want to come back here, it won't have to involve so much drama.
bentstrider02.1.09 - 2:05 pm
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That was one of your most logical posts ever, Adam. I fully agree, they should be given information on the proper way to get here. Sure, some of them probably have it already, but not most.
Re: "The point of this thread..." is to get us all out of L.A.? Go to SD to get a bunch of crappy bikes ridden across the desert? You're silly.
kryxtanicole02.1.09 - 5:11 pm
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Yeah, I'm still actually considering the CBP as another agency to test for and hopefully, join up with.
But, as per the original post, I feel if you go in with a half-baked plan, expect to get half-baked results.
bentstrider02.1.09 - 5:33 pm
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Oh so thats were all the stolen bikes are going. I'm surprised.
Dedicated81802.2.09 - 9:21 am
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"I don't understand why they have to do it that way...., then there's always the usual, lack of money which prevents them from doing so."
@ Strider
you apparently didnt realize but you answerred your own question. going through the legal channels requires money. In the US the business community has skewed law and enforcement to accept both wealthy immigrants but also poor immigrants via undocumented channels. and in their interests, it is for good reason. it's why nothing ever really gets accomplished in terms of dealing with the "problem" of un-documented workers. one group for investment and economic activity the other to subsidize it with cheap labour. the wealthy immigrants buy their way in by hiring lawyers to aid in getting their papers. actually, many countries do this. when investigating moving to the netherlands, I found that if I could show that I had substantial capital and savings I could prove that I would not be a burden on the system I could have a much easier time getting a work permit.
In practice, the economic filter imposed on immigrants works like this. illegals lured by jobs and the ability to support their family sneak in to the country (who wouldn't?) and take under the counter jobs as cheap laborers for businesses. that's a major plus for business. they get lower overhead via not having to provide health benefits, not having to be subject to certain employment laws and tax laws because they dont show the laborers on record and they also benefit by not having to spend money on keeping the work place as safe as it should be. Of, course there are always examples of enforcement occuring and raids on companies who exploit cheap labour, but it's not the norm.
undocumented workers also help undermine unions and the power of unions which benefits business. there are valid arguments for both sides and I personally have compassion for undocumented immigrants. They are looking for a better life and have traveled far to do it.
I would like to see the undocumented workers unionize. they have the power to do it... but it's hard to do that.
It used to be that the idea of international unions was louder in the minds of americans. IBEW international brotherhood of electrical workers. my pops was a member. now it seem like labor unions have been stomped into the ground and are constantly being poopoo-ed in the media.
"If anything, deportees should at least be given a proper lecture on the procedures and the responsibilities of becoming a citizen here before being shipped back across the border."
"We've got to make it so that if they do want to come back here, it won't have to involve so much drama."
Roadblock02.2.09 - 9:54 am
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oops forgot these
@ strider
"If anything, deportees should at least be given a proper lecture on the procedures and the responsibilities of becoming a citizen here before being shipped back across the border."
as though that will change the actual reason that people want to come here? you think people don't know there are proper procedures? refer back to your answer in your first point.
"We've got to make it so that if they do want to come back here, it won't have to involve so much drama."
then remove the motivation. the only real way to do it is to enforce labor laws in a real way. places that dont allow unionization should be driven out of business by law enforcement. places that dont offer benefits and safe places of work should suffer same consequences.
Roadblock02.2.09 - 9:57 am
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@ Roadblock
your right the problem is the powers at be. They promote a cheap labor force at the expense of the poor. My grandfather was an Italian immigrant in the early 1900s he was forced to shovel coal in the mines. When he went to work at Ford motor company and became a union member our families lifestyle improved greatly.
He still shoveled coal into the furnaces, but he received health care and a retirement. I see our local unions in the motion picture industry in jepordy as the big corps own the studios. They would love a cheaper work force. The problem is it lowers the over all pay scale for the area in all fields as the non union members will be making less, thus having less to spend, thus affecting the local economy. I didn't understand why my grandfather was so pro union untill recently. Now I do being a local 728 studio electrician
Dedicated81802.2.09 - 10:48 am
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@Roadblock, thanks for supplying the background info I was too lazy to convey. BUT, there is one outpoint. There is a very real truth in the fact that some of the jobs that immigrant workers take up NO American would want to do, namely farm labor. It's true. If we didn't have immigrant workers picking our fruits & veggies, they'd sit there & rot cuz you wouldn't find enough eager Americans to work for what they get paid.
kryxtanicole02.2.09 - 7:02 pm
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here is a very real truth in the fact that some of the jobs that immigrant workers take up NO American would want to do, namely farm labor.
My only theory about that is the lack of English skills that most of them have when coming across the border for this work.
Think about it, if an employer wants to be cheap and get his moneys worth, he/she could very easily lie to these workers through deliberately misinterpreting their language.
And even if a payroll dispute does become apparent to one of these workers, who are they going to turn to?
Since they're not legal, they'll be forced to take this abuse until they either become legal themselves, sharpen up their English skills, or become employed under someone who went through the same plight and identifies with them.
bentstrider02.2.09 - 7:22 pm
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Think about it, if an employer wants to be cheap and get his moneys worth, he/she could very easily lie to these workers through deliberately misinterpreting their language.
This isn't usually what happens, but I guess that's possible.
And even if a payroll dispute does become apparent to one of these workers, who are they going to turn to?
This is what usually happens. It's not like they have anyone to turn to (at least they think), so they end up working for shitty money.
Since they're not legal, they'll be forced to take this abuse until they either become legal themselves, sharpen up their English skills, or become employed under someone who went through the same plight and identifies with them.
Exactly. And they can't become employed because they can't sharpen their English because they don't have money and/ or are ignorant and can't find places to do so for free. Even if they did sharpen their English, good paying jobs ask for a lot more. And even if they had more, they couldn't get a job like everyone else because the economy is shit.
C'est la vie.
imachynna02.2.09 - 7:27 pm
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@whoever
The who will pick your food argument is outdated.
With the NAFTA treaty in place a lot of your produce is produced in the southern hemispere. There is allready a super highway being built from Mexico to Canada in the center of the country. This super highway is one of many as planned in the North American Union treaty.
Undocumented illeagal alien workers have taken jobs american would do. Such as in the construction trades or even the low pay fast food or service jobs like a parking attendant.
These jobs use to be for our young people as first jobs. A job for a college student ect.
The employers are the guilty ones who promote this trying to evade payroll taxes and health care.
MY ISSUE IS:
Why do I have to as an American citizen have to have a social security # and pay taxes, when someone who is here illeagally
gets a free ride.
This is not a race issue as we have caucasion illeagals as well such as Russians, Austrailians, Canadians, etc.
Dedicated81802.3.09 - 1:08 am
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Well, if that's the case, then I'm saving up money as soon as I start working again, and going Burt Gummer on everyone's ass.
NAFTA, Black-helicopters and the NWO aren't going to be able to stop natural disasters.
Nah, if I had it my way, I'd just lay low for awhile and come out when all the proverbial smoke clears.
But for now, I'm keeping my head out for any work available, get my schooling back on track, then move to a cozy, little town to further enhance it.
bentstrider02.3.09 - 1:22 am
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"There is a very real truth in the fact that some of the jobs that immigrant workers take up NO American would want to do, namely farm labor. It's true. If we didn't have immigrant workers picking our fruits & veggies, they'd sit there & rot cuz you wouldn't find enough eager Americans to work for what they get paid."
I tend to agree that there are jobs that most americans would find un-desire-able but I dont agree that "NO" american (what exaclty IS an american anyway?) would do it. and it wont mean the fruits and veggies will rot. it means more people would learn to be self sufficient and self reliant. I watched my mom and pop grow their own food my whole life, almonds, peaches, blackberries, rhubarb, zuchini, plums all kind of shit on probably a 20' x 20' yard... yeah I thought it was lame at the time when other people's parents were so cool they didnt have a garden they had a pool or whatever BUT we always had fresh organic food (when the term organic wasnt some lame-o yuppie trendoid word) on the table because my parents just did it that way and it wasnt really much of a burden it was what you did on the weekend or in the evenings, you just worked on the garden. there's nothing wrong with that, and if you cant do it then go to the local farmers market and pay the local community farmers to do it....
but if we must insist on having big agri-bussiness take care of our food issues then the govt should allow all the undocumented workers to be permitted and afford them the right to unionize and receive benefits and be taxed when all is said and done. imagine if labor laws were actually enforced on businesses? you'll see how quickly corporate farming would dissolve which is a GOOD thing. as it is the US govt is subsidizing big farm corps through lost tax revenue, taxpayer subsidies and the weakened status of unions and worker wages.
In fact I disagree that everything should be as cheap as possible. that's for lazy pigs and lazy minds. when goods are expensive, people consume less. so what? less consuming is GOOD. when goods are expensive, people INVENT their own solutions and in effect become smarter more resourceful and self reliant people... which leads to innovations and other possibilities in our society we have yet to imagine. what are we supposedly progressing towards anyway with all the cheap crap available? whats the real benefit of having a bunch of SHIT for cheap? if food is too costly, grow it your self. dont have a place to grow it? form and support a food co-op. what the hell people get your hands dirty, stop eating garbage and stop buying cheap crap that you'll throw away in 6 months. is that starbucks mocha frappacino in a plastic cup really necessary? do you really need a nintendo wii system to have fun?
Roadblock02.3.09 - 1:00 pm
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I'm looking for work. I will farm.
Where's a farm? Can I bike there?
Bikes from the border — MARCOOS was talking about this. I think it could be a good thing. It would need a lot of people dedicated to MAKING IT HAPPEN, not to mention maintaining it. But I think it could be really effing good.
Would we need city involvement in this, or can we ... just ... do it?
katiepoche02.3.09 - 6:14 pm
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During the last depression many farm workers where classified as Okies. Regular people who were down on there luck looking for any job possible. (Grapes of Wrath) Not much different today, just a different ethnic group. The problem with lack of enforcement on employers is the main problem. Having a cheap labor force that is dispossible lowers all our labor wages. Also putting a burden on the system as the tax base is lowered.
Thats why In&out burger rules.
They hire college kids at above min wage, with health care.
Victory Gardens !
Dedicated81802.3.09 - 7:01 pm
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In-N-Out also buys locally. (Relatively.)
Go In-N-Out.
katiepoche02.3.09 - 8:44 pm
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Buys and sells locally, they only seem to do business in CA, AZ, and NV.
Fresh ingredients=Sweet ass, Peterbilt 379 Day-cabs.
I definitely wouldn't mind driving a rig for them!!!
bentstrider02.3.09 - 8:50 pm
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@Dedicated, Roadblock - Your points are fully valid. I agree with almost every one. Except that my point about illegal workers doing the work many people wouldn't is outdated. Although there are some (few) who would, and a change in infrastructure would be for the best, immigrant labor extends far beyond the farms - factories of all types (textiles, food, manufacturing) hire illegal workers because they can exploit them with low wages, long hours, and unsafe work conditions.
Immigrant labor is a MASSIVE black market in this country. The only thing that tops it is marijuana.
kryxtanicole02.3.09 - 8:58 pm
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Roadblock - How can you say you'd like to them unionize? Sure, it's a nice thought, but they're working here illegally. I would love to know how it might be possible, honestly. I'm still in agreement with your viewpoint, but how could it be?
kryxtanicole02.3.09 - 9:01 pm
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"Roadblock - How can you say you'd like to them unionize? Sure, it's a nice thought, but they're working here illegally. I would love to know how it might be possible, honestly. I'm still in agreement with your viewpoint, but how could it be?"
Roadblock02.4.09 - 12:28 am
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I guess my answer got lost up there but the gist of it all was that if business and bankers can lobby (buy) legislation and unite over agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA et al. then workers should be afforded those same powers to defend and promote their interests the same.
Roadblock02.4.09 - 1:46 pm
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The fact that immigrant workers are illegal is what allows American industry to take advantage of them. If they were legal guestworkers they would be given all the same protections as regular citizens.
We need these workers and they need us. We should give them legal status and start treating them like humans.
Maybe then they would have the confidence to unionize and improve the wages of not just migrant workers but American citizens as well.
American politics is too race-oriented to be able to see this.
stillline02.4.09 - 2:09 pm
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"We need these workers and they need us. We should give them legal status and start treating them like humans."
I totally agree. But the powers that be don't agree. It's not a race thing save for the ones who express it as such. It's really about available work and available resources money and political power... it could be any group of immigrants but again, people that whiff of racist motives are the ones who complain about them not knowing english or some kind of cultural reason for not asimilating etc.
but anyway it might solve the problem to simply monitor businesses and make sure that every undocumented worker becomes legal with rights and labor rights.
so for example what rights do undocumented workers get if not citizenship. what would it take to get citizenship? should they have voting rights? how much should their income tax be? all these questions would need to be addressed....
"Maybe then they would have the confidence to unionize and improve the wages of not just migrant workers but American citizens as well."
a business man's WORST nightmare...
American politics is too race-oriented to be able to see this.
It is and it isn't, it is class, religion and ethnic based politickin but mostly its money.
stillline
Roadblock02.4.09 - 3:24 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
