The Human Challenge

** Please be welcome to note sensitive content is discussed, including sexual violence in relation to corrective punishments experienced by trans peoples. **

"Solidarity is power," says activist, Judith Cabrera, Co-Director of Borderline Crisis Center, a shelter for migrant women and kids on the border of US/Mexico.

Borderline Crisis Center started as a call-center for migrants to connect with their family as soon as they crossed the border. But after Judith's partner and founder of the center, Daniel Ruiz, was targeted by organized crime who burned down their location, they were forced to move where they then expanded into the shelter.

In this conversation, Judith walks us through the history of migrant policy in the USA since 2016; the increasing discriminate and racist policies faced by migrants seeking asylum, which is their right under international law; and the role technology plays in this discrimination. In partnership with the Migration Technology Monitor, Judith and the team are building a kiosk outside the shelter, 3 minutes away from the border, to provide information and resources to people on the move, as well as to serve as a counter-monitoring tool, to monitor human rights violations by the Mexican Authorities.

Judith also shares how the shelter is tackling the largest problem faced by women in their shelters: the lack of income. By starting a Feminist Solidarity Economy Network, organized and independently led by the women in the shelters, Borderline seeks to empower women to come together and create opportunities for income with one another's support.

Borderline Crisis Shelter also prides themselves on having a close relationship with the LGBTQ community; Judith, who identifies as a bisexual woman herself, says there is a lot of overlay with migration. There are only three shelters that accept lesbian and/or trans community members in their area. She tells us two stories of two of the many trans peoples who have come through the shelter, some with children, the abuse they faced before getting there, and how the Crisis helped them through their asylum.

Given increased militarization by the US, digitalization at the borders, the drug war in Mexico, the increasing dangers for both migrants and human rights defenders, there are a lot of things to fear. "But I strongly oppose living in fear," Judith says. "We really need to take care of each other and build strong networks for protection."

Be welcome to learn more about Borderline Crisis Center:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borderlinecrisis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borderlinecrisiscenter/ 

Direct donation: www.paypal.me/borderlinecrisiscent 

This episode is presented in partnership with the Migration Technology Monitor, on a mission to monitor surveillance technologies, automation, and the use of Artificial Intelligence to screen, track, and make decisions about people on the move. Learn more here: https://www.migrationtechmonitor.com/

This episode is part of our "New Beginnings" segment, supported by The Being Human Foundation. Learn more here: https://vanessaferlaino.com/thebeinghumanfoundation

Be invited to stay in touch with Vanessa on Instagram @vanessaferlaino or vanessaferlaino.com

The Human Challenge is hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her Youtube channel here. Don't forget to subscribe!

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