This past November was an eventful month for the political topic of immigration, especially along the Mexican border. The issue started when President Trump threatened a closure of the border and military action against immigrants trying to enter the country illegally. The row culminated in a clash with migrants and US Border Patrol, who used tear gas against civilians. During Thanksgiving Break, Sophomore Aidyn Snelson experienced a little bit of the border being shut down periodically as a migrant caravan reached Tijuana and tried to gain access to the U.S.

Snelson spent five days vacationing in a beach house with his family. After his fun was over, he packed up and left for home. Once he got to the border, Snelson noticed there was intense traffic, which was normal for the freeway going across the border. He watched from his car as a group of more than 500 migrants queued up for entry, but their request was denied. After waiting four hours to get back in, he was told that they would not be given access for a while, which was not normal. At the time, the US-Mexico freeway traffic was temporarily suspended due to the clash previously mentioned.

“Luckily, we were towards the front of the line when they closed the border because they diverted everyone out through this small gate that looped you back into Tijuana,” Snelson said. “We were lucky because we didn’t have to wait even longer to go back home.”

Snelson stayed in his home for an unplanned extra day and woke up the next day to the news of why he was not allowed access the day before.

“It’s sad for the migrants who are trying to get away from the horrible conditions they’re living in,” Snelson said.

He left in the late morning after the work traffic from people who move back and forth and got in without a hitch. By two o’clock on Monday morning, Snelson was back home in Claremont. The travel struggles experienced by Snelson underlines how the topic of immigration and the action taken can affect US citizens.