Christmas without borders

Hundreds of people will reunite separated by the border fence

More than 200 people from both sides of the border are expected to participate in the annual posada celebration on Saturday near the double steel fence that separates San Diego and Tijuana.

The U.S. Border Patrol said the rules remain the same as last year. "They can talk back and forth with their counterparts in Mexico," Border Patrol spokesman Steven Pitts said, "But cross-border touching or exchange of gifts will not be allowed to prevent smuggling contraband", he added.

"You're only able to get within three feet of the international boundary fence," he said, "agents will be monitoring the event", he added.

Christian Ramirez, national immigration coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee, said the annual tradition will continue despite the federal restrictions.

"We'll have folks singing Christmas carols," he said, "Faith leaders will be saying a few words. Migrants on the Mexican side will be telling their stories," said Ramirez.

In San Diego, participants plan to meet at 2 p.m. at the entrance of Border Field State Park near Dairy Mart Road in San Ysidro.

Many others will gather at 10 a.m. at Chicano Park and leave from there.

Organizers expect most of the participants will be on the Mexican side of the border because of difficulties getting access to the gathering site on the American side known as Friendship Park.

"Fewer community folks will be able to go because of a new rule that you need to show documents when you enter the caged area", said Ramírez referring to the gate that allows entrance to Friendship Park.

A secondary fence built last year added a barrier to get close to the border, that fence has a gate that Border Patrol agents control, they allow only 25 people at time to pass through for 30 minutes.

Most of the expected participants are members of faith-based groups, he said.

"In Mexico, participants are members of Casa de el Migrante and the Tijuana Catholic Diocese".

Before security tightened, the posadas were genuine cross-border events.

"People would actually hold hands and sing and pass candy through the fence. They don't do that anymore," said Benjamin Prado of the American Friends Service Committee.

"Folks will be there but it will be very controlled," Ramirez added.

For more information about the Posada Without Borders visit the Foundation for Change.

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