Immigr Immigration on the Harbor

by Sarah Monroe
Fall 2009

This project was completed in Fall 2009 under the contract Creating Convivencia: Migration, the Church, and Theology at the Evergreen State College Faculty Sponsor: Tony Zaragoza

Copyright Sarah Monroe, all rights reserved

Acknowledgments: I extend my deepest thanks to all those who agreed to interview with me. Your help was invaluable to this project and I hope that our work together will contribute to a better understanding of the local immigrant community. A hearty thanks as well to the ESL class that gave their stories. Thank you for sharing your lives with me.

Table of Contents
Introduction...................................................................................4 Immigration in Grays Harbor......................................................5 Why They Come............................................................................7 Community Response..................................................................10 Fear in the Immigrant Community............................................17 Developing a Local Theology......................................................20 Concluding Remarks...................................................................23 Sources..........................................................................................24

4 Immigration on the Harbor

Introduction
After spending the last year studying immigration and Latin American culture and history, I created a contract for Fall 2009 to research immigration in the Olympic Peninsula. For the past quarter, I have engaged the community of Grays Harbor County, researching the situation of Latino/a migrants in the area. I conducted interviews with individuals in a variety of settings, from elementary school officials and ESL teachers to health care workers, tracking the demographic trends, the economic situation, and the overall condition of immigrants in the county. My goal has been to work within a local community, observing and asking questions, to become familiar with local culture and needs. In addition to interviews with various officials on the harbor, I also, with the help of an ESL teacher, conducted a short survey of an intermediate ESL class reflecting on their experience. People in this class came from many countries, including Mexico, Cambodia, and Korea. Though immigrants are coming into Grays Harbor from many countries, I have chosen to focus largely on Latino immigration in this report, since that has been the most significant in recent decades. Side by side with my study of local immigration has been my study of local theology. The final section of this paper will sumerize my observations regarding faith-based response to immigration and ask how local faith communities can engage their theology in the cause of social justice for immigrants. My preliminary conclusions are as follows; 1. Immigrants are largely working in low-income jobs, part of the bottom rung of workers in a globalizing economy. 2. There is a slow process in the majority community as they adjust to an influx of immigration, with schools, health care providers, and ESL programs attempting, with more or less success, to meet the needs of the immigrant community. 3. There is a great deal of fear and mistrust in the immigrant community, a result of local ICE activity, checkpoints on the peninsula, and growing xenophobia in some sectors. 4. Churches are largely unengaged and there have been limited efforts to create a local theology. In this final section, I want to contribute to the beginnings of an effort to do so.

Immigration on the Harbor 5

Immigration in Grays Harbor

Over the past several decades, immigration has steadily increased in the Olympic Peninsula, driven by the increase in demand for low wage workers. In Grays Harbor, Aberdeen has seen the most significant jump in immigrant population. Demographics Through the 90s, the immigrant population in Aberdeen increased nearly four-fold (see figure 1). The first families started moving into the area in the late 80s and were quickly joined by others searching for work in the forest and fisheries of the Peninsula. While the Latino population in other towns of Grays Harbor is small by comparison, it continues to grow. Most immigrants tend to maintain a low profile and, in my research, I have noticed a lack of awareness of their presence within the larger community. Since many recent immigrants are undocumented, these census figures may represent only a part of the actual population. While the overall Latino population in Grays Harbor county has not increased as dramatically as Aberdeen itself (see figure 2), the last eight years have still seen a jump, from under 5% in 2000 to nearly 8% in 2008. I would speculate that Aberdeen has received most of these immigrants, which would put the projection for 2010 census in Aberdeen much higher than it was in 2000. Most people I interviewed that work with recent immigrants have noticed a recent decline in immigrant numbers due to declining jobs on the harbor with the economic downturn. ESL classes have had lower enrollment, school migrant programs have a decline in enrollment and rumor has it that people are moving elsewhere for jobs. However, as one interviewee mentioned, the immigrant population is still largely unsettled and, in many cases, as many people move in the area as move out in a given year. In a sense, it remains a revolving door based on job availability. Countries of Origin In 2008, Grays Harbor College conducted a survey of 115 students enrolled in their English classes and found that the majority of ESL students are from

Figure 1: Latino Population in Aberdeen, WA. Source: Jefferson Center. The Changing Face of the Rural Pacific Northwest Jefferson Center News, Vol 5, No. 1, December 2006, 1-3.

Figure 2: Latino Population in Grays Harbor County. Source: U.S. Census Bureau

6 Immigration on the Harbor

Figure 3: Immigrant Countries of Origin in local ESL classes Source: Grays Harbor College, Survey of ESL Students, unpublished.

Mexico. (see figure 3) This seems to correspond to estimates from other members of the community. However, there is a sizable Salvadoran population, and many Mexican migrants are from Oaxaca and belong to various indigenous groups. During my research, I found that there is a growing Trique population. Indigenous Immigration While also from Mexico, the Trique population is thought to be more organized and tends to keep to itself. I was able to interview an activist from Oaxaca who was visiting the harbor for more information. His translator also worked with the Trique population on the peninsula and was able to give me further information. Even through a translator, his fear of cultural degeneration as the people group dispersed was clear. The Trique culture is centered in the northwest highlands of the Mexican state of Oaxaca.The Trique language is one of 15 languages in Oaxaca and while laws and constitutional rights protect indigenous rights and autonomy (as of 1998), the reality is quite different. There is little respect for their language and culture. Poverty levels are very high in this agricultural area. About 40% of Triques migrate (out of a total of about 13,000), most to Mexico State, but

some also make their way to the U.S. They tend to go where they know someone; here, the populations center in Yakima, Wenatchee, Mt. Vernon, and the Peninsula. In the 5 counties of the Olympic Peninsula, there are about 2000 people who have settled so far. Immigrant life can be particularly hard for indigenous groups. Here, Trique individuals often do not selfidentify for fear of discrimination, instead generally identifying as Mexican. Many indigenous migrants are illiterate and speak limited Spanish. Mexican Spanish speakers often use derogatory language in referring to Triques, particularly because their Spanish is poor and there are language and cultural differences. This spike in immigration over the past few decades has been driven by shifts in local and global markets, as U.S. companies search for low wage labor and immigrants search for jobs.

Immigration on the Harbor 7

Why They Come

For the workers themselves, they come here for jobs. When I asked a Mexican activist why people are immigrating, the response was immediate; There is no work. That is the main issue. This is the response I have received from every conversation and interview. A declining Mexican economy has forced people across the border to find ways to support their family. When they come, they usually join the periphery labor force. Much has been written on the need for a low wage labor force to drive the present U.S. economy. Conservative author Jason Riley admits; The reality is that Americas foreign labor helps to propel economic growth (54). In other words, it is the best interest of large companies to hire foreign labor willing to work for far less and fill jobs that the natives dont want because they have better opportunities (75). Business interests in the U.S. dictate the need for low wage workers and many industries, particularly in agriculture and forestry, [rely] on workers with no effective rights (Brown 1). Globalization of capital and labor leaves business on a quest for cheap labor (Chomsky) and undocumented workers provide a cheap, exploitable labor force. Undocumented workers have no legal rights and therefore are willing to work for less. David Bacon argues that immigration policy in the U.S. creates this two edged sword. Globalizing economics force foreign workers to look for work in the U.S. and, at the same time, restrictions are high on migrants that do cross the border, keeping them venerable and therefore exploitable. The result is that the immigrants have to work for less pay under brutal conditions, creating a race to the bottom with native-born workers (Wilson). In the context of the Olympic Peninsula and Grays Harbor County in particular, the industries that immigrants work in are predictable. On the coast, in Westport and Hoquiam for example, they work in seafood harvesting and in the large canneries. One interviewee speculated that 100% of the cannery labor force on the harbor was immigrant labor, most of them women. Hotels in Ocean Shores and other coastal resort towns also hire immigrants for housekeeping. Only a few run small businesses, most of them small restaurants or tiendas. Most work is highly seasonal. The largest industry involved is secondary forestry, a largely unregulated industry that allows immigrants to be paid cash and avoid proving legal residency. The workers harvest secondary forestry products, largely salal, cedar boughs, or ferns, all of this used in the production of wreaths and other specialty products. Some workers harvest independently, while others work for contractors. This is the main source of income for the Harbors recent immigrants. An immigrant may work several jobs during the course of a year

Figure 4: A patch of salal. Salal is picked in high volumes by immigrant workers for use in the manufacturing of secondary forestry products. A native bush, it grows prolifically throughout the peninsula.

8 Immigration on the Harbor and some will travel across the state (or several states) in the quest for work. Many others live locally but commute long distance to Lewis or Pacific counties to harvest. There are also cases, during the harvest season, when children as young as 12 have been seen out harvesting brush with their families in an effort to increase wages. These workers constitute, in the words of the Jefferson Center report on secondary forestry workers, an invisible workforce (Voices from the Woods Brown). Since the industry in seasonal and unregulated, there are no checks and balances to insure workers safety or rights. Little is known about how many workers are in the woods and who employs whom. Figure 5 demonstrates how the industry works, based on interviews with people who have worked in the industry. A variety of landholders lease land to contractors or individuals to allow brush harvest. Generally, a permit is obtained at the local sheriffs office in Montesano between the owner and the leasee or contractor. Usually, the landowner is a large timber giant like Weyerhaeuser or the county forestry. All harvest in the area is wild land harvest. Some wholesalers have obtained leases for significant tracts of land. Cascade Floral Greens negotiated with Weyerhaeuser at one point to gain exclusive right to harvest on most land south of the Satsop River (Spreyer quoted in Draffan 28). The landowner decides the terms of agreement and pickers may pay per acre, per bunch, per lb, or a flat rate, depending on what is being harvested. At this point, things get gray. A contractor or leasee may sell his contract to other pickers or he may pick himself. Tension develops over who gets to pick what and some pickers do not know exactly where they can legally harvest. These tensions have erupted on several

Permit (obtained at the sheriffs office)

Property Owner (often industrial timber giants)

Leaseholder (usually wholesalers or contractors)

Wholesalers sell to floral product brokers or to the European market

Contractor or middle man will organize crews or pick himself

Brush is sold to small sheds or back to the wholesaler

Workers, the majority immigrant labor, pick brush (salal, cedar boughs, ferns, etc.)

Figure 5: The brush industry is largely unregulated and based on contractual agreements between landholders and wholesalers and contractors and labor. Much of the brush is shipped oversees to European markets.

Immigration on the Harbor 9 occasions, the most tragic being when fights between pickers have resulted in workers being shot and killed. According to The Seattle Times; In Grays Harbor County, a picker was shot and killed in 1997 by another worker who wanted his salal patch. Another picker was shot and wounded three years ago (Welch). After harvesting, the brush is then sold by the truck or van load to large brush sheds throughout the county. Some are owned by individuals and others are operated by larger companies such as Hiawatha. It is important to note that some of these sheds are operated by the wholesalers giving out the contracts (Spreyer in Draffan 25). The Seattle Times article points out that this is a growing industry. Specialty products harvested from Northwest forests including moss, salal and slender stalks called beargrass once were a lowclass sideshow to logging, picked by rural folks in need of extra bucks. It since has swelled to a mammoth industry that brings in at least a quarterbillion dollars a year nearly one-fourth the size of the apple industry (Welch). WA Labor and Industries estimates that 250 companies are involved in this industry, supplying specialty forestry products from WalMart to Europe, fueled by an exploitable immigrant workforce (ibid). However, the industry is actually dominated by very few corporations, including Hiawatha and Cascade Floral Greens (Draffan 11). In Grays Harbor, several large sheds are operated by small business owners, several of them Mexican or Cambodian immigrants themselves. Much of the brush ends up oversees. Four million pounds of salal was exported from the Pacific Northwest in 2000 (Draffan 10). The Washington Farm Bureau estimated that 15 containers of floral greens were shipped out a month in the region (ibid), most to suppliers in the Netherlands and Germany. This boom in specialty forestry products has been fueled in large part by the availablity of cheap migrant labor. Taking their cue from labor practices in the fruit harvesting industry in the eastern part of the state, companies took advantage of immigrant labor as the harvest labor market was soon flooded with workers who were particularly vulnerable to domination (Spreyer quoted in Draffan 24). Workers face a difficult struggle to maintain their livelihood. As noted by Brown, lack of portable benefits or legal assets, unrealistically low pay, and resulting health and housing difficulties, as well as punitive patronage relations are core problems for workers (3). Both their legal and economic status conspires to keep immigrants, in the words of one interviewee, at the bottom of the food chain. There are many claims that workers rights are nearly nonexistent and other interviewees knew of people who had been denied pay for services rendered. As Welch points out, immigrants might work 10-hour days for $100 or $30 or nothing at all. Unfortunately, for undocumented workers, there is little recourse.

10 Immigration on the Harbor

Community Response
Grays Harbor County Despite the fact that the harbor is overflowing with beauty and natural resources, the area is severely economically depressed. Poverty rates are high (22% in the largest town, Aberdeen [Jefferson Center]) and the contrast between the large houses on the hill and the run down homes on the flats is stark. Homelessness is rampant, housing prices have slumped, and jobs are few. Historically, the area was settled in the mid-nineteenth century, built by the logging boom. The vast forest, under the management of giant timber companies, brought a great deal of wealth into the area. The towns of Grays Harbor were thriving throughout the early 1900s and more and more people settled. The Indian tribes were moved to reservations after a short period of unrest and the Chehalis tribe, descended from the dozen or so tribes that once fished along the rivers that still carry their names, now make their home on a small reservation in Oakville, the poorest town in a poor county, while the Quinault nation was given a larger tract of land to the north. Most of the forest land in the county is young second or third growththe giant logs of yesteryear are gone. The timber industry began slowing considerably during the 70s and 80s, and in 1994, when logging was closed in the national forests, many jobs were lost. Since the area is so far from the rest of the state centers and well off the I-5 corridor, few businesses have been attracted to the area. The large sawmills have closed one by one, though fisheries on the coast are still a dominant employer. Having grown up in the area, I have observed several general attitudes. There tends to be a general hopelessness, especially among the lower classes. There is little opportunity for achievement and little for the young people to do. The young tend to move out of the area once they graduate if they can. In some school districts, there is a high rate of homelessness among the youth. The use of methamphetamines is prevalent. There is little sign of community activism and social services can be difficult to obtain. This is a rural community, not used to change and desperately clinging to the last remnants of a disappearing culture of forestry. It is deeply traditional, even as it is largely a blue county. For communities like those on the harbor, it takes time to reconcile to change. People feel powerless and left out of the processes that are changing their way of life. There seems to be a profound suspicion of change. The region is generally isolated from the rest of the state and, in many ways, disconnected and unaware of the larger changes in both the national and global scene. Logging culture is unique. Birthed in the turbulent frontier days, it began as a male dominated world of roaming immigrant men, largely German and Scandinavian, and tough logging camps. As towns began to form, the basis for the local culture of the Olympic Peninsula began (Rose 60-61). Towns had a strong working class base, fueled by a growing national demand for timber, and situated their way of life around the industry. In an article from Seattle Weekly cited by Fred Rose, it was observed that the fall of the timber industry represented, not only loss of jobs, but the loss of an entire way of life (Rose 70). The community as a whole has not yet been able to recover from this loss. Over the years, there has been a growing resentment over change and the subsequent marginalization of the community. As has been observed in other rural communities, people in marginal situations keep a chip on their shoulders; they expect to be mistreated and often come out fighting (Hinsdale 34).

Immigration on the Harbor 11

Figure 6: Poverty Rates in Aberdeen, WA, 2000. Source: Jefferson Center. The Changing Face of the Rural Pacific Northwest Jefferson Center News, Vol 5, No. 1, December 2006

This affects the community response to immigration, since conflict between groups, especially racially different groups, increases in powerless situations (36). As immigration has increased, numerous responses have come from the local community. In some cases, there has been outright hostility and fear of job loss. This paper will document ways in which people in the local community have vigorously opposed immigration and seen immigrants as a scapegoat for economic ills. In other cases, people simply remain unaware of the influx of new neighbors and unaware of their needs, corresponding to the general apathy of a community that has lost a way of life and has found no replacement for it.

Poverty Overall, poverty levels in Grays Harbor are high and I expect them to be higher still in the next census. The recent economic decline has simply exacerbated the significant problems facing the county. Habitat for Humanity estimates that nearly 2,000 homes are substandard in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area and, in 2000, 22% of the population lived below poverty level. Homelessness levels are high and shelters do not have the resources to house them all. The economic situation of immigrants is even worse. Most tend to live in the poor areas of town and the 2000 census recorded 64% of Latinos living below the poverty line. Another indicator of the overall poverty level in the county is the high percentages of kids that are given free or reduced price meals, nearly 60% in Aberdeen and higher in Hoquiam (see figure . This includes all children, not just those in Latino families. From conversations with teachers and school staff, most guess that a majority of Latino children are receiving free lunches. One teacher expressed concern over whether some students were getting consistent lunches at home when school had breaks.

Figure 7: A majority of kids on the harbor are eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Source: OSPI WA State Report Card, reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us

12 Immigration on the Harbor Others report that as many as three immigrant families may live in a house, and a school official remarks; Many of them do not meet their needs. Housing options are very limited and one teacher struggles to help families find a decent place to live. She recalls visiting families living in homes with mold growing on the walls due to extensive water damage. Winters are especially hard for families dependent on seasonal work. One pastor says half of his Latino congregation was out of work last Christmas. They are at the bottom of the food chain says a teacher, They are at the bottom of the food chain as far as priorities. Its new and people dont know how to handle it. Health Care For immigrants, obtaining health care is a major issue. Many individuals are undocumented and are afraid to access basic care. A roundtable among health care workers and a few other community members has been formed to discuss issues. There is a small core of people committed to trying to improve immigrant access to health care. At the same time, health workers are concerned that people are afraid to access basic care, especially if they are undocumented. According to one health official, health insurance is available through Basic Health, if the family is low income. Undocumented immigrants can obtain it for children under 18. The waiting list, however, is extremely long, as of October, it was 16 months long. Premiums have also increased and the backup is growing, with 45,000 people waiting for coverage. Even for those that do obtain insurance, Basic Health does not cover individuals over 20, doesnt have dental and vision, and doesnt cover most surgery. ESL teachers report that this affects their students who cannot see the board due to vision problems or those who have teeth problems and cannot get care. One teacher commented; Sometimes they leave because they cannot do the work or they are in pain and cant concentrate. As the health care industry has adjusted to new immigrants, responses have been mixed. During a health care fair for McClearys Mark Reed Hospital, staff expressed their frustration at being unable to communicate with their Trique patients and hoped to set up a translation agreement in Oaxaca over the phone. They were eager to learn more about Trique culture and how to better meet their medical needs. Half a dozen staff people, including doctors, attended a presentation given by an Oaxacan activist. In another case, since dental work is difficult for low income immigrant workers to obtain, a dentist in Aberdeen has volunteered his services to do free emergency dental work. On the other hand, there have been difficulties as the countys lack of resources has collided with immigrant needs. One health care official wonders if some doctors do not request translators simply because they know that the client will not report them. While the situation has improved over the last decade, there can still be significant indifference to the needs of Spanish speaking patients. One teacher expressed her frustration with how a mother was treated by her doctor when she went with her to translate a visit for her young son. She felt that the mother, as a nonEnglish speaking person, was completely ignored. In my interviews with health care providers, all cited the recurrent problem of lack of translators and Spanish speaking medical professionals. SeaMar operates a facility in Aberdeen that offers bilingual care, but other visits to the doctor can become a series of miscommunications. One of the only ways that immigrants can request a translator is by obtaining medical coupons to do so through DSHS programs. There are few local interpreters, though the health department does staff several, and most must be called in from Olympia, an added burden on an already busy clinic. The Aberdeen hospital uses a language line. There is the additional problem of indigenous languages like Trique and it is difficult to communicate.

Immigration on the Harbor 13

Figure 8: These four school districts have seen the largest increase of Latino students. Source: OSPI WA State Report Card, reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us

School System Since most immigrants are young and have small children, the school system has seen a significant rise in Latino students. Aberdeens schools lead the area, with over 15% of their kids Latino, followed by Hoquiam (figure 8). The districts struggle to get bilingual educators and there are no full time ELL teachers in the school districts, all are para-educators. The kids are placed in English language classes for all other subjects and, according to one teacher, they tend to struggle past elementary school. From conversations with educators in the districts, it appears that the schools are struggling to meet the needs of this influx of Spanishspeaking students. The school districts in Grays Harbor have a small percentage of students in the migrant workers program. This federally funded, grant based program serves families whose home base is in the district, but who move for short or long term work. It is administered regardless of immigration status, the only qualification being that parents have moved in the last three years for agricultural work and they can requalify. They serve students 0-21 and most come into the program by word of mouth. Since brush

harvesting and fishing are highly seasonal, migrants often follow the jobs throughout the state. Some migrants also will travel to Yakima, Wenatchee, or Oregon to work in fruit harvesting. Children of migrants are an at-risk population, since they are highly mobile, and one teacher compared their situation as similar to homeless children in terms of academic risk. The program provides tutoring for atrisk kids and free lunches. They also try to do activities, for example, taking high school kids to participate in the yearly Latino Youth Summit, a program designed to encourage Latino youths to pursue a college education. Some of these programs are at risk of cuts in funding, particularly since the enrollment numbers have decreased significantly over the last year. This may be a sign that the immigrant community is tending to settle more frequently. An interesting case study is AJ West Elementary school, located on the Aberdeen flats in one of the poorer neighborhoods (84% of their kids are on free or reduced fee lunches). This school has seen a significant jump in non-white students, most of whom are Latino. Once 97% white, the school has reached a nearly 50-50 split (see figure 9 on next page). This has changed the dynamics of the school, as they have sought to meet the needs of this significant percentage of their students.

14 Immigration on the Harbor

Figure 9: Demographic changes at AJ West Elementary School, Aberdeen, WA Source: OSPI WA State Report Card, reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us

When AJ West received their first Spanish speaking students about 14 years ago, they knew they were in uncharted territory. For the past decade and a half, they have worked hard to incorporate their immigrant families and students into the life of the school. The principal attended a language immersion program in Mexico and a group of teachers signed up to learn Spanish. While they still have few bilingual staff, they did hire a bilingual family service worker to work more directly with families. Before and after school programs, ELL classes, and classroom assistance all try to assist Spanish speaking kids to make it through school. The school still has its frustrations. WASL tests in English remain difficult for their Spanish speaking students, since the test does not accommodate transitional bilingual students. One official remembered a beautiful essay written by one student for the WASL. After she wrote it in Spanish, she was unable to get a good grade when she struggled to translate the words into English. ELL classes are taught by paraeducators and, though they do not offer bilingual classes, they try to encourage the kids to retain their Spanish. The school seems to be a mecca for Latino families and 90 out of 420 students are in ELL classes. Communication with Spanish speaking families is an ongoing challenge, but they make a strong effort.

Everything sent home (including teachers letters) is in both languages. They develop relationships with parents and staff also tries to help parents navigate the medical, social service, and job systems. They also incorporate cultural events, including an annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. In an effort to involve parents from the wider community, they have offered Spanish classes to them. A school official reflects; Low income families often have a lack of hope. We try to instill a sense of hope. For example, we find reading materials that make a connection with our students, like Esperanza Rising. This year, the school has used the story of Jose Hernandez, a son of a migrant working family who became an astronaut to encourage kids in their studies. The school uses the motto; If Jose can do it, I can do it. Our goal, says the official, is that the kids have what they need to succeed in the U.S. and, at the same time, have their culture valued. The junior high and high school have fewer immigrant children, possibly because families move out of the area and also because the immigrant population is still fairly recent and their children are largely elementary aged. The kids that are in secondary schools often are still in ELL classes, still struggling to learn English and keep up with all English classes. Unfortunately, there are no bilingual classes and one teacher reflected that

Immigration on the Harbor 15 ESL Programs As part of my research, I worked with an ESL teacher and put together a questionaire for an intermediate English class, asking about their experiences. When asked what was their greatest difficulty as an immigrant, nearly every student responded; I think the biggest challenge as a immigrant is the language. Of course, we were in an English class; however, I think it is easy to underestimate the difficulty involved in learning a second language. Many students work full time and then study several hours a night trying to improve their English. ESL classes are offered through the Grays Harbor College and they have multiple sites around the county (figure 10). A large majority of students attend Whiteside, in downtown Aberdeen. Less and less funds are available and there is discussion about shutting smaller sites down if attendance does not increase. Most classes have reported a decline in enrollment this school year, though no one is sure why as of yet. There is speculation that people are moving out of the area or that, with recent Border Patrol activity, they are afraid of registering with a government entity.

Figure 10: Grays Harbor Community College has multiple sites where they offer ESL classes. Source: Grays Harbor College, Survey of ESL Students, unpublished.

she did not think they felt their language was valued. Language barriers with parents, who often speak poor English, increase the distance between educators and families. As kids progress and find their English classes more difficult, teachers find that the general attitude among many Latino teens is we are probably not going to graduate anyway. One parent expressed the fear that teens would start getting into trouble, not only because of difficulties in school, but because there is little to occupy their time on the harbor. Many people expressed the desire to have a cultural or activities center that would engage the members of the community, particularly the youth.
Figure 11: In a survey, 115 students were asked why they attended classes. Source: Grays Harbor College, Survey of ESL Students, unpublished.

16 Immigration on the Harbor They serve about 150 total students, in Aberdeen, Raymond and Ilwaco, Elma, Hoquiam and at the Stafford Creek prison. ESL teachers express frustration that there are few educational opportunities for students after they finish ESL classes. There was an effort to get a grant to send undocumented workers to community college but there is not enough money available for scholarships and they are unable to access federal financial aid. They do have the option of obtaining a GED, though state regulations have made it difficult. The GED can be taken in Spanish, but ABE classes to prepare for it must be in English, placing an additional burden on the students. Since the ESL program is offered through the community college, they are also not allowed to offer citizenship classes, another source of frustration for teachers who want to assist students to a better life. In a research study by the college, 115 students were interviewed about why they attended classes (figure 11). Out of these 115, various answers were given. For the most part, getting or maintaining a job and communication within the community were important reasons for the students. Lack of Legal Assistance With no immigration lawyers in Grays Harbor and little in the way of legal support, most immigrants are left trying to stay under the radar. While sympathetic to immigrant rights, the Northwest Justice Project is unable to assist undocumented workers, though individual volunteers have held information sessions off site. There have been reports of workers being denied pay. One interviewee shared that she knew a man who had worked three months without pay and was fired when he complained. There are rumors of workers rights abuses at local canneries and by brush sheds but workers are afraid to come forward. To do so would mean risking the loss of their only means of employment and most are not willing to speak out. Churches Churches have been remarkably uninvolved. One pastor confided that he felt most churches were not even aware of the situation. St. Marys Catholic Church has been active according to most reports, though I was unable to gain a meeting with anyone from the church to learn more about what they are doing. They have held classes and hosted the Mexican consulate at different times and the church seems to serve as some kind of community base for many Latino immigrants. Evangelical churches have a few works in progress, as does the Church of Latter Day Saints. Iglesia Biblia de Hoquiam has a weekly Spanish service with about 40 attendees and my visit to the church revealed a tightly knit community that offers spiritual and material support to each other. Generally absent, however, is a religious move for social justice for immigrants or an effort to address the needs of the community at large.

Figure 12: An ESL class meeting at one of the GHC sites. Courtesy Grays Harbor College ESL.

Immigration on the Harbor 17

Fear in the Immigrant Community

In all of the interviews I conducted, there was overwhelming evidence of the fear in the immigrant community. ICE and Detentions There have been no large scale raids or mass arrests like in other parts of the state, but ICE has been active enough to engender widespread fear. This was overwhelmingly apparent to me when I visited the Spanish mass at St. Marys Catholic Church in Aberdeen, an evening service with about 200 people present. People were cautious and wary around me, the only white person present aside from the priest. When an ESL teacher, after talking with me, decided to ask her class if they would be interested in talking with me about their immigrant experience, she reported that the response was dead silence. There are numerous reports of people being stopped and questioned in the Wal Mart parking lot and at bus stations. In Hoquiam, the 7-11 gas station is a popular hangout and ICE officials reportedly would wait in the area, particularly active last winter. One woman spoke of her immigrant friends in the area; The women were scared and they told me they were afraid to leave their homes. A long time resident told me he always knows when immigration is in town because the Latino immigrants he knows stay off the streets. Recently, there have been rumors that Border Patrol has become more active in Aberdeen. Like elsewhere in the state, immigrants that are picked up by ICE are held in detention in Tacoma at the Northwest Detention Center and may be deported. One individual knows of a father who returned soon after been deported and now poses as his childrens uncle in public. Unfortunately, I have been unable to obtain any statistics on how many people have been actually detained or deported in the area, since ICE does not provide those statistics and I have been unable to get a In 2008, the U.S. Border Patrol instituted a series of checkpoints on the Olympic Peninsula, greatly contributing to fear in the Grays Harbor community. This fear gripped an already wary immigrant community all over the peninsula. One ESL teacher reported that a thriving ESL program in Port Angeles found itself empty when students were afraid to come to class. The checkpoints were in three locations; on U.S. 101 near Forks, on U.S. 101 by Discovery Bay, and on State Hwy 104 near the Hood Canal Bridge (Casey). People were stopped and questioned and officers boarded buses and asked questions about citizenship. There were also reports of border patrol cars waiting outside ESL class facilities. Though Border Patrol claimed to be simply trying to secure the borders against terrorism, activists noted that it was undocumented workers who were being picked up. When an honor student was arrested and detained on August 20, 2008, the community in Forks mobilized against the checkpoints, holding a demonstration with a turnout of 60 people in the tiny logging town (ibid). There were other widespread protests in Port Angeles and Port Townsend. The checkpoints resulted in several dozen arrests, most undocumented workers (Gottlieb). The last reported checkpoint was September 9, 2008, though other activity continued. Since immigrant workers in Aberdeen and Hoquiam often travel widely for work, they were directly affected by the checkpoints. There were no reports of people actually being arrested from the harbor, but the level of fear remains high, even after the temporary cessation of checkpoints. An ESL teacher noted that Border Patrol has been seen in Aberdeen response from the public representative for the detention center. Checkpoints on the Peninsula

18 Immigration on the Harbor recently and there is fear that they are setting up operations in the area. Drugs and Stereotypes Local papers have been quick to point out when drug busts involve undocumented immigrants, though one official mentioned that, recently, the local paper has been more careful. Grays Harbor has the reputation for high drug use, largely attributed to its spiraling economy and high poverty rates. In 2008, the Aberdeen police seized $1.3 million worth of drugs, most of it marijuana and methamphetamines (Aberdeen Police 17). A high profile drug bust early in 2008 contributed to the association of Mexican immigrant as drug dealer, when a crackdown on a transnational ring importing meth from Mexico led to the arrest of 12 people in Grays Harbor, including, in Undersheriff Rick Scotts words, several Mexican immigrants (Jones). The Justice Department also provides a racial breakdown of drug distribution data, acknowledging that Caucasians are the primary producers of meth in Washington state and adding that Mexican criminal groups are the dominant transporters and wholesale distributors of methamphetamine in Washington (U.S. Dept of Justice, iii-iv). Similar statements are repeated in regard to marijuana. All this fuels the stereotype of Mexican immigrants as drug dealers. While, doubtless, the Justice Department is simply tracking the source of drugs in the ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking in the U.S., the stereotype persists. There are suspicions, voiced in several interviews, that the Aberdeen police department engages in racial profiling, using the stereotype of the Mexican drug dealer as a justification. They are using drugs as an excuse for profiling, says one community organizer. Growing Nationalism Growing nationalism and backlash against immigration has made a deep mark in the rural communities of Grays Harbor and is felt by the immigrants here. A community activist from the peninsula noted that she found the attitude in Aberdeen toward immigrants more negative than anywhere else she had worked. One person, an immigrant herself, noted; There is a great deal of prejudice, some of it very subtle. There is an attitude that it suits the economy for them to be hired here, but they dont belong here. A teacher noted that college students at Grays Harbor Community College expressed a great deal of surprise when they were told there were many immigrants in the area, revealing a widespread ignorance in the local community. Indifference was a word often used by interviewees to describe local attitudes toward immigrants. Some responses are in keeping with the general national trend of an upsurge in nationalist nativism and restrictionism (Hondagneu-Sotelo 14). A teacher reported a colleague being cornered by a local man demanding to know if his taxpayer dollars were going to illegal immigrants. On another occasion, a student hung a confederate flag out of a window over a Cinco de Mayo celebration at a local school. Kids at school are referred to as dirty Mexicans and immigrant teens often feel ostracized. Stan Blunt from Aberdeen is a leading anti-immigrant protestor in the county. On October 21, 2008, he organized a rally protesting illegal immigration. About 30 people stood in front of the courthouse, including members of Washingtonians for Immigration Reform and Hall Washman with the Minuteman. The county has 40,000 acres of forest land and contracts out all forest harvesting and Mr. Blunt was particularly concerned that salal picking was being contracted out to illegals by the county. During a speech before the county commissioners before the rally, he indicated that he and others in the group were taking pictures of people harvesting in the woods and watching and counting trucks delivering salal to one of the large brush sheds. In front of the courthouse he demanded; Who are these people who dont know what a passport is and have full rights? He is well known by the county commissioners due to his

Immigration on the Harbor 19 frequent harangues during weekly meetings where the public is allowed to comment. In January of 2008, a youtube video showed a similar discussion with the commissioners when Mr. Blunt expressed his outrage about people hanging out in my town [who] dont know what a passport is [and were] run out of Mexico (Nolibzone). He also mentioned that he had tried to tip off Homeland Security several times regarding undocumented workers at several places of employment in the county. Mr. Blunt is actively opposed to immigration on other fronts as well. On March 5, 2007, he signed an online petition issued by the Conservative Exodus Project which reads, in part, We oppose the third-world invasion of the United States, and reject amnesty and any path to citizenship for illegals. We support deportation, attrition, and massive reductions in legal immigration, especially from the third world (Gopetition). These blatantly racist attitudes certainly contribute to the sense of fear in the immigrant community and the impression that they are not considered full members of the local community. Certainly, I have met many committed people in schools and public service departments that are dedicated to improving the quality of life for immigrants. Other teachers speak of a decrease in hostility between white students and students of color and express the hope that, as the kids play soccer together, they will begin to see each other as equals. Intermarriage has also become more commonplace, increasing local acceptance. Employers also speak highly of the work ethic of their immigrant laborers, something that may go a long way toward increasing their acceptance, but also provides fuel to see them as laborers instead of fellow citizens. Lack of Community Organizing Community organization is strikingly lacking in Grays Harbor County. Aberdeen is known as a town with a great deal of indifference and, coupled with immigrants fears, it provides an atmosphere that is not readily conducive to organizing. I met many passionate people, most of them working separately. A Hispanic roundtable was formed, largely by health care providers seeking to provide better care for immigrants, and they still meet on occasion and keep each other informed, but no major items are on their agenda. Several years ago, an action council was formed by local community members but lack of coherence and conflict over funds led to its dissolution. One particularly passionate woman noted; People have to work in the community, not just come from the outside. That is how they get strong Community work is strong in Yakima because they have a strong base. Here, immigrants are marginalized. Local relationships need to be fosteredPeople need to build relationships. It remains to be seen if these relationships can or will be fostered. Grays Harbor is fertile but difficult ground for organizing.

20 Immigration on the Harbor

Developing a Local Theology

Lack of church involvement reflects a need to develop a stronger local theology, grounded in the reality of the local community. Sedmack encourages the development of local theologies, reflecting on local issues and doing theology as if people mattered (33) in an an attempt to create a culture of hope (158) while listening to the voices of those who have no voice (10). He suggests using the images and stories of the Christian faith to lead people to reflect on their local situation. I believe some religious images and concepts can be useful to address the issue of immigration in the local context. The Exodus Over and over, the Jewish people of the Hebrew Scriptures are reminded; Care for the alien and stranger in your midst. Remember that you were strangers in the land of Egypt (see, for example Exodus 23:9). Central to the Hebrew narrative is the story of the Exodus, when the enslaved Jewish people were brought out of the land of Egypt and slavery and into the land of promise. Liberation theologians in Latin America have relied heavily on this narrative as they developed a theology that spoke to the poor and oppressed and offered them hope and a future. This application extends to the development of a theology of migration. Robert Schreiter reflects on the Exodus; Here one finds ample material for reflection upon the dangers and travails of migration, especially in those situations where the movement from one place to another is hazardous and uncertain (173). The wanderings of the Jewish people in the Exodus story certainly mirror the experiences of immigrants today. The modern day immigrant has crossed borders and left family and culture to find a new life, struggles to learn a new language and faces all the trials associated with this radical shift in identity. Further, the command given by Israels God to care for the stranger in memory of this Exodus is a powerful one that can speak to communities today who find themselves in the position to make the choice between welcoming or rejecting the stranger in their midst. Jesus the Migrant As Orlando Espin points out, Jesus himself was a migrant (250). His family fled to Egypt where he spent his first years in exile from his homeland. He was kicked out of Nazareth when his own relatives tried to stone him. He wandered in Judea for much of his ministry, a place much different than his own Galilee. Galileans were clearly despised in Judea as dirty, uncouth, and uneducated. He felt this discrimination. As Virgilio Elizondo puts it; Jesus entered and left human society as a reject(55). In Daniel Groodys film Dying to Cross, he uses the images of Jesus death and crucifixion parallel with the experience of migrants literally dying to cross the U.S. Mexican border. Latino theologians will sometimes refer to the border experience as an experience of crucifixion. In another film, the Holy Familys search for room in the inn is used as an illustration of the migrants search for family, for jobs, and for welcome in their efforts to escape detention. Jesus the migrant also welcomed other outcasts. He sat at the well with a Samaritan, considered an inferior race, and welcomed her into his kingdom. He healed a Canaanite, which was worse than talking to a Samaritan. He hung out with the prostitutes and sellouts to the Romans so much that the Pharisees started to talk. He told an educated lawyer that he should be more like a Samaritan. He was concerned for the poor and treated them as equals. He told the Pharisees that their nationalism meant very little to God. All these stories are very familiar to most churchgoers, though perhaps they are not always presented in a way that does justice to the local context in which they live. The challenge is for church leaders to apply Jesus

Immigration on the Harbor 21 behavior to the current situation of immigrants and ask that. It can also lead us to rethink what it means to what parallels there might be. serve, since churches have been far more comfortable giving paternalistic aid to the unfortunate rather than supporting empowerment. The Image of God We need to rethink what it means to be human and consider what the implications are for how we treat There is the time honored theology in the Judeothe other. Christian tradition that human beings are made in the image of God. In theological circles, this is referred to The Local Context as the imago dei. In a religious context, this can be a good way to address the reality of class, national, and racial privilege. A central question when analyzing the What do these stories and theologies mean in the relations between groups in a community from a context of Grays Harbor County? How can these theological perspective is; How can we live together stories and images be used to interface with the story with other human groups in a Christian way? of local lives? What does it mean to live a life of faith (Castillo-Guerra 254). This theology of the imago dei on the Olympic Peninsula in the context of an influx of insists that the measure of being truly human is our immigration? common humanity, not our belonging to a particular national or ethnic group. In her discussion of First, the local culture must be taken into account. A hospitality in the Christian tradition, Christine Pohl full understanding both of the position of humans as contends; Hospitality cannot be tied to anything more God image bearers and the example of a rejected, than humanness (89). marginalized Christ can be used to bring hope to a struggling community. The community is at an This does not mean, however, that ethnic identity is impasse; in the words of Appalachian researcher Mary ignored in color blindness, often a cloak for a more Ann Hinsdale, In the dark night of the world a subtle racism. Soong-Chan Rah, in his recent book, group, nation, or community is at impasse, feeling uses the concept of the image of God to underlie directionless and out of control (Hinsdale 279). The Americas original sin of racism (69), showing how community in Grays Harbor is in that dark night. American churches have profited from white privilege. There needs to be an opportunity both for grief at He points out that, in many white churches, he is more what the community has lost and hope for the future. likely to find a member of the NRA than a supporter One way this might demonstrate itself in a way that of immigration reform. He believes that this reflects an could create solidarity with the immigrant community anti-immigrant bias driven by a distrust of a growing is around the issue of economic injustice. The global non-white Christianity in the U.S. (75). This is one forces that are bringing immigrants are also preventing expression of racial conflict in religious communities. economic recovery in the local community. Rah reflects that racism of this sort is human Community members could be encouraged to see alienation, which disrupts the image of God in the Christ in the face of the poor, the homeless, and the fellowship of one human to another (82). migrant and to stand together to fight injustice and bring better opportunities to their community. Xenophobia, whipped into a frenzy in the resurgence I have seen this attitude demonstrated in numerous of nativism in rural communities, could be combated ways. During one conversation, a long time resident with an insistence that the immigrant has full rights, on the harbor and churchgoer insisted that not due to national citizenship, but because they are immigration is eroding national culture, again a reflection of the fear of non-white influence. An appeal human. This is a powerful response to the words of Stan Blunt. to Gods image in each human being gives a theological reason to rethink this attitude and consider

22 Immigration on the Harbor

Figure 13: The local Catholic Church in Aberdeen, St. Marys, has the largest Latino congregation in the county.

One woman I interviewed reflected both the frustration and the hope inherent in opportunities for religious communities to get involved. She reflects; A coalition of ministers would be good. But churches are too organized and too inward looking to do much good. This does not have to be the case. Throughout the country, religious leaders of many faiths have spoken out against injustice and Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo tells the story in her book Gods Heart Has No Borders of religious people who are advocating for the civil, economic, and border rights of immigrants using their religion to contest the uncritical application of nation-state boundaries (xi). From ministers adding their voices to advocate for workers rights to celebrations of the Eucharist on the border to blossoming Sanctuary Movements giving

refuge to undocumented workers, faith communities around the nation have stood with the immigrant. The opportunities are numerous. A real local theology must be developed with the people. While I reflect on my conversations and experiences in the local context, a truly local theology can only be developed by the community itself. All of what I offer here are merely suggestions for how this could be started. The only way to truly go forward would be for people of faith and their communities to consider their own situation and try to apply their tradition to life as they experience it in Grays Harbor. It is my hope that this paper might provide the beginnings of that quest.

Immigration on the Harbor 23

Concluding Remarks
There are many needs for further study in the context of immigration on the harbor. Perhaps further research could result in more concerted efforts to meet the needs of immigrant workers and support their rights. Here are three suggestions for further study; 1. How to organize effectively to provide basic services and labor rights. Organization in Grays Harbor tends to be a bit haphazard, with little coherence or coorporation between services. It would be great if ESL teachers, school officials, health care and social workers, as well as city and perhaps police officials could get together to assess the needs of the local immigrant community and create a more concerted effort to integrate immigrants into the community and meet their needs. 2. Workers rights. There are numerous rumors of excessively low pay, of workers not getting paid, and of sexual harrassment in the various industries. Particularly disturbing have been the rumors about immigrant rights in the canneries. However, little research has been done and most rights violations are happening below the radar. 3. Detention statistics. I have been unable to obtain statistics for how many people have been detained and deported from Grays Harbor County. Doubtless, these statistics are kept; however, they are not readily available.

24 Immigration on the Harbor

Sources
Aberdeen Police. 2008 Aberdeen Police Annual Report. http://aberdeeninfo.com/police/2008_Report.pdf 1 December 2009. Bacon, David. Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants. Boston: Beacon Press, 2008. Brown, Beverly. Challenges Facing Community Forestry: The Role of Low-Income Forest Workers. Jefferson Center, September 2001. Brown, Beverly and Agueda Marn-Hernndez, eds. Voices from theWoods:The Lives and Experiences of Non-Timber ForestWorkers. Wolf Creek, OR: The Jefferson Center for Education and Research, 2000. Casey, Jim and Leah Leach. 60 demonstrate in Forks against Border Patrol checkpoints, detention of two youths. Peninsula Daily News 30 Aug 2008. http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080831/ NEWS/808310309. 25 November 2009. Castillo Guerra, Jorge E. A Theology of Migration: Toward and Intercultural Methodology. Daniel Groody and Gioacchino Campese, eds. A Promised Land, a Perilous Journey:Theological Perspectives on Migration. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2008. Chomsky, Aviva. They Take our Jobs! And 20 Other Myths about Immigration. Boston: Beacon Press, 2007. Draffan, George. Report on the Floral Greens Industry, The Evergreen State College Labor Center, 20 Feb 2006, www.endgame.org, 25 Nov 2009. Elizondo, Virgilio. Galilean Journey:The Mexican-American Promise. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1994. Espin, Orlando. Immigration, Territory, and Globalization: Theological Reflections. Journal of Hispanic/ Latino Theology, 7.3 (2/2000), 46-59. Gottlieb, Paul. Feds Cut Back on Olympic Peninsula Checkpoints, Kitsap Sun 13 April 2009. http:// www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/apr/13/feds-cut-back-on-olympic-peninsula-checkpoints/ 25 November 2009. Go Petition. Conservative Exodus Project. 5 Mar 2008. http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/conservativeexodus-project.html. 20 Nov 2009.

Immigration on the Harbor 25 Hondagneu-Sotelo, Pierrette. Gods Heart Has No Borders: How Religious Activists are Working for Immigrant Rights. Berkley: University of California Press, 2008. Jefferson Center. The Changing Face of the Rural Pacific Northwest Jefferson Center News, Vol 5, No. 1, December 2006, 1-3. Jones, Jacob. What started as a Harbor case spread fast, police say. The DailyWorld 2008/03/04 posted as WA: Mexican Methamphetamine Imports interrupted on Illegal Immigration Forum, Americans for Legal Immigration, http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-110493.html 1 December 2009. Nolibzone. Stan Blunt Speaking at Grays Harbor Commission Meeting. YouTube. 7 Oct 2009. Pohl, Christine. Responding to Strangers: Insights from the Christian Tradition. Studies in Christian Ethics 19.1 (2206) 81-101. Riley, Jason. Let Them In:The Case for Open Borders. New York: Gotham Books, 2008. Rose, Fred. Coalitions across the Class Divide: Lessons from the Labor, Peace, and Environmental Movements. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2000. Sedmak, Clemens. Doing Local Theology: A Guide for Artisans of a New Humanity. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002. Schreiter, Robert. Theologys Contribution to (Im)migration. Migration, Religious Experience, and Globalization. New York: Center for Migration Studies, 2003. U.S. Department of Justice. Washington Drug Threat Assessment. February 2003. http://www.justice.gov/ndic/ pubs3/3138/3138p.pdf 1 December 2009. Welch, Craig. A War in the Woods, The Seattle Times 6 June 2006. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ localnews/2003042206_salal06m.html 1 December 2009.

 Sarah Monroe, all rights reserved