Beyond Borders | UIndy Humanitarian Forensic Science Team

Finding My Footing

December 28, 2024SnapshotsMakenna Mizell

I have known about this initial blog post for what must be around two weeks now, and I have spent a good portion of that time sitting and pondering what to write and how best to write it. What words should I use? What is it that I want to talk about? What will make me sound like I know what I am doing and am ready for this trip? What can I say that hasn’t already been said?

To be honest, I still am not sure.

I’m writing this on Christmas day, and I’ve spent the entire day pondering (or perhaps worrying about) the superficial necessities of the trip. What snacks should I bring? What clothing should I pack? What music should I download to listen to on the plane? I have thought a lot about what I should pack and worried that I will pack too much, or even too little, and won’t be prepared for this trip. I’ve discussed the trip in length with many of my friends and family, all eager to hear about what the team and I will be doing. I’ve also done my best to answer countless questions about where Falfurrias, Texas is in relation to Dallas, Houston, and Austin (spoiler: it is not particularly close to any of them, as I’ve come to learn). And yet, in all this time spent worrying over snacks, music, and clothing, I have not given myself the time to truly relax and contemplate what it means to go on this trip.

I’ve been asking myself what it is that I hope to learn from this experience. How can I contribute meaningfully, what will I take away from this trip? And I repeatedly find myself focusing on my limitations, rather than my strengths. I’m a worrier, I’m emotional, I’m a bit (okay, more than a bit) unconfident in myself, and these have all culminated in me worrying about my position on this trip, and my ability to do good like I desperately want to. In all my thoughts about the trip, I find myself most afraid that I’ll end up stumbling along the way.

In the midst of all of my planning and worrying, I’ve realized that I haven’t yet stopped to reflect on why I’m going on this trip- and what it means for me as a student and a person. My heart knows that this is not a vacation, yet my mind refused to let me compartmentalize it as anything else, perhaps to keep me from worrying too greatly about it. But Falfurrias, and Brooks County as a whole, is more than just a destination for the team and me to do anthropological work, it is a location of complex histories and sociopolitical nuances that I am still learning so much about. Perhaps it is the anthropologist in me, but I cannot help but find myself wondering about the many different people I’ll encounter–whether it be in the field, at the Whataburger I’ve heard so much about, or even at the hotel–and the connections I’ll make, not only with the locals but also with my team.

There’s a great privilege in being able to think this way, a privilege that not all are afforded. For many, the luxury of introspection or the ability to reflect on purpose is overshadowed by the immediate demands of survival, safety, or necessity. We’re going down to the border to search for migrants–people who have faced unimaginable hardships, risking everything for the hope of a better life. These individuals’ stories are marked by resilience, desperation, and courage, but too often end unheard.

The weight of this reality isn’t lost on me. It’s a privilege to approach this work with time to ponder, plan, and even worry about things like packing and playlists. But for the people we’ll be searching for, every decision made along their journeys was one of necessity, not convenience. They didn’t have the luxury to overthink. This trip isn’t just about the work we’re doing–it’s about recognizing the humanity in every step we take and every story we uncover.

Part of me feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of experiencing something so profound, so real. There are many nuances here, ones I have only just begun to understand fully. I don’t know how I will react when I’m out there, gazing across the great expanse of ranch land, or what emotions will rise to the surface. I want to believe that I will be stoic and strong, that I’ll somehow absorb an ounce of the talent and skill of the others on this trip–but I suppose I won’t truly know until I’m there, boots in the dirt, and seeing it all for myself. Privilege allows me to do this work, and with that comes the responsibility to approach it with humility, empathy, and respect for the gravity of what we are undertaking.

As I write this I’ve come to realize that this trip isn’t about being “ready” in the way I might want to be. And I’ve come closer to accepting that that is okay. Because maybe it’s not about packing the perfect bag or erasing all my worries. Instead, maybe it’s about stepping into the unknown, being open to growth and understanding, and trusting that even in my uncertainty, I’ll find my footing.

– Makenna

Answering the Phone

January 16, 2024Human Rights, Migrant Death, Reflectionslathamke

Earlier this semester I sat with a student in my office for the first of several long conversations. His family came to the US from Ecuador when he was a child because his father had a work contract in Indiana. He graduated high school, enrolled at UIndy and is in his Senior year. While in college his family’s work visa expired and they returned home. He was able to stay to complete his degree. He hadn’t seen his parents or younger siblings since they returned to Ecuador. He was excited because his father was getting a new contract and was coming back so he was going to a hearing about the visa. The next time we met he told me his visa was denied because he is 20 years old and too old to be on the family visa. His parents and younger siblings are coming back to Indiana while he faces the reality of going back to a country he doesn’t know. Is this the story of a migrant we encountered on our trip? No, but it could be. We fight over our broken system and we blame each other for the problems and in the process, we forget these are people. Every skeleton we recover or body bag we pull from the ground is a person with a story. Whatever their story, all I can think of is being on the other end of the phone. Waiting for the call that never comes. Making all the promises to God to just let them call or just let them answer when I call. That helpless feeling of just not knowing what is going on or what to do. While the answers we provide are not what many families want, at least we’re answering the phone when their loved one could not.

Beynd Borders Team members dig searching for skeletal remains — The 2024 UIndy Beyond Borders Team

All the people you read about on the blog are volunteers. They volunteer their time, use their own money and chose to dedicate themselves to answering that phone call from family members. Politics aside, the people we work with in the Texas Borderlands run the spectrum from right to left. Whoever you ask will say you cannot have an informed opinion until you spend a few days in the brush. And they all just want to bring some closure to families and return their loved one home. If you have the ability to donate to the cause here are some links:

Beyond Borders Humanitarian Forensic Science Team: Donate Here

Remote Wildlands Search and Recovery: Donate Here

South Texas Human Rights Center: Donate Here

Thank you for following our work. We appreciate your support and the ability to share our experiences with you. We will continue regular posts when we depart for another trip to the Texas Borderlands.

~KEL

Back in Indy

January 15, 2024ReflectionsHannah Irmer

It has been so difficult to put my thoughts into words today. I am attempting to write this blog post with what feels like fog in my brain, while staring at a blank page. There is so much to say, stories to tell, experiences to share, and yet today I have barely done anything with my time. It was such a sharp transition from full physical activity all day to complete freedom to do whatever I want. It is hard not to question how I ended up in this position when so many others do not wake up with the luxury I have. Why is there so much judgment surrounding where an individual is born? Why is there a competitive drive for different groups of people to always be better than the others? Why did this hierarchy start and what purpose or benefit does it offer? Why am I able to come home and binge Netflix when the idea of safety and security is out of the question for others? I know that where and what we are born into is a choice made by God that no earthly being has any control over, but the Bible teaches us to love and serve one another. If so, why does God choose to put one person in a better position than the other? This trip has been a test of faith bringing up all the questions no one can answer. However, what I have learned and will always remember is that empathy goes such a long way. Even though we did not come into direct contact with any migrants or their families, I do feel that we as a team have touched and benefited so many lives.

The daunting, unanswered questions will always remain, but a very critical part of this reflection process for me is to also remember my favorite parts of this trip. Don and Ray were amazing to work with. I could not imagine doing what we did everyday without them. Along with them came Socks who added an exciting twist, always when we needed a pick-me-up. She was always just happy to be there no matter what we were doing. Another memorable moment from this trip was discovering shoe tracks from possible migrants traveling through the very same brush and thickets we walked through that day. Don had said they most likely were from the previous night or early morning. I remember reflecting on the drastic differences between all the gear, snacks, and water we had versus what little we can imagine the migrants had at the time. We spent an entire day refilling water stations with Eddie, seeing the locations where migrants have also walked through. Spending our last day away from home being together as a team helped bring the trip to an end. Moments like these are what made this so special.

black dog with white chest rolling on her back on the ground — Socks being the most fun and adorable companion

UIndy team posing in front of the Alamo — The team in front of The Alamo in San Antonio

part of the team standing on top of a bridge on the Riverwalk — Us standing on a bridge overlooking the Riverwalk

I could not be more grateful for the time we spent in Brooks County. The friendships we made, challenges we faced, and laughs we shared will be lifelong memories. Having traveled to Texas before, I had an idea of what the vegetation would be like, but what I was not expecting was the mental exhaustion. It was difficult to stay focused and engaged all day, everyday. I knew every moment would be worth it and I did not even want to blink the time away. But, it was always in the back of my mind that time was ticking and the trip would come to an end. I am extremely privileged to be able to continue my education and live in a stable home and community. I want nothing more than to share the experiences and knowledge I have learned about the migrant crisis. I am confident this will transfer over to whichever career path I choose. Because of this experience, I will strive to always encourage those around me to practice empathy no matter the situation. I have grown as a professional, a human being, and in my faith because of our trip and I could not be more thankful.

The following are some of my favorite photos from the trip we have not yet shared!