Border Patrol Threw Away Migrants’ Belongings – A Janitor Saved And Photographed Them

These items were all seized from migrants and asylum seekers trekking through the desert in an attempt to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Deemed potentially lethal or nonessential by border officials, the medications were thrown away, along with other personal belongings, during the first stages of processing at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in southern Arizona.

More: Instagram h/t: latimes

View this post on Instagram

U.S. flag nail clippers carried by migrants or those seeking asylum. When apprehended by USCBP while crossing the desert, personal hygiene items such as these are confiscated and thrown in the trash. Currently being exhibited at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles through March 8, 2020, over 150 works from El Sueño Americano/The American Dream. Everyone there has done an exceptional job in bringing this to Los Angeles and with special thanks to Dora Rodriguez, Seth Gadsden, Amada Torruella, Michele Urton, Jocelyn Tetel and curator exemplar Laura Mart. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #skirballculturalcenter #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint #ajosamaritans #salavision.org

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Dec 8, 2019 at 6:04am PST

While working as a janitor at the same facility from 2003 to 2014, photographer Tom Kiefer secretly collected the belongings and later began shooting them.

View this post on Instagram

Thanks to Julie Hau for reaching out and including an image from El Sueño Americano/The American Dream in the August 2019 issue of National Geographic. The image was included in a powerful essay on migration by novelist Mohsin Hamid, it's an honor to be in such esteemed company along with John Stanmeyer, K M Asad and Raku Inoue. Special shout out to neighbor Gabriel, who held the magazine while I snapped shots; eight years old and already in fourth grade. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #skirballculturalcenter #nationalgeographic #johnstanmeyer #kmasad #rakuinoue #mohsinhamid

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Aug 25, 2019 at 4:16pm PDT

Throwing away the personal belongings “underscores the cruelty of the tentative punishment that the government feels the need to levy against these people,” Kiefer said. “It’s clear the majority of which are decent, contributing and who want nothing more than a better life for themselves or for their family.”

View this post on Instagram

Super glue carried by migrants or those seeking asylum to fix things while on their journey. When apprehended by USCBP while crossing the desert and taken to a U.S Customs Border Protection processing facility nearly all belongings are confiscated and thrown in the trash. Please read "What Toni Morrison understood about hate" by David Remnick in The New Yorker. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoproject #migrantlegalaid

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Aug 9, 2019 at 6:15am PDT

It took about six years of collecting — blankets, cellphones, toilet paper, depression medication, shoelaces — before Kiefer began photographing.

View this post on Instagram

Toothpaste carried by migrants or those seeking asylum. When apprehended by USCBP while crossing the desert and taken to a USCBP processing facility personal hygiene items are confiscated and thrown in the trash. My upcoming solo exhibition "El Sueño Americano/The American Dream" opens October 17 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. On view through March 8, 2020. #skirballculturalcenter #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #migrantlegalaid

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 17, 2019 at 4:49am PDT

Color is an essential component of the photos, a way to inject humanity into each personal belonging, Kiefer said. Shooting the items on the same background “wouldn’t feel right, it would it would feel like it was a scientific observation of something.”

View this post on Instagram

Various destinations. Pens confiscated from migrants or those seeking asylum. The geography of these pens covers most of the U.S. signalling their intention of returning to or reaching a specific destination whether it be Idaho, Kansas, Alabama, North Carolina or New York. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 14, 2019 at 3:05am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Bottles of cologne confiscated from migrants and discarded during intake at a USCBP processing facility. Cologne may seem like an odd choice of something to bring with you when crossing the desert but is a powerful symbol that represents the dreams and hopes when coming or returning to America; thinking ahead about getting ready for a job interview or of reuniting with someone they have not seen in years. Also, the high alcohol content can act as a salve or antiseptic for scrapes and cuts when traversing the desert terrain. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 4, 2019 at 12:45pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Zipper pulls from backpacks carried by migrants or those seeking asylum. The Skirball Cultural Center is preparing a major exhibition of "El Sueño Americano/The American Dream" opening October 17. Follow link in the Bio section for more information. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jun 15, 2019 at 2:48pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Assorted items carried by migrants or those seeking asylum considered non-essential or potentially lethal confiscated and discarded during intake at a USCBP processing facility. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Apr 9, 2019 at 5:57am PDT

View this post on Instagram

When apprehended by USCBP while crossing the desert, a utilitarian item such as a blanket carried by a migrant or someone seeking asylum is confiscated and generally thrown in the trash at the USCBP processing facility regardless of the condition or how durable and well made the blanket is. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Mar 14, 2019 at 7:26am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Toothbrushes carried by migrants or those seeking asylum. When apprehended by USCBP crossing the desert they are taken to a USCBP processing facility where personal hygiene items are confiscated and thrown in the trash. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Mar 14, 2019 at 7:09am PDT

View this post on Instagram

When apprehended by USCBP crossing the desert, a personal hygiene item carried by a migrant or someone seeking asylum such as a nail clipper is considered non-essential, potentially lethal and discarded. Just published in this month's edition of squaremag.org "Nail Clippers, 2014" Beautiful and engaging work by other photographers. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jan 16, 2019 at 6:39am PST

View this post on Instagram

When apprehended by USCBP crossing the desert, a personal hygiene item carried by a migrant or someone seeking asylum such as soap is confiscated and discarded. Check out this month's digital only Square Magazine, beautiful engaging work. http://squaremag.org/904-FR-GRweb.PDF #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jan 16, 2019 at 6:29am PST

View this post on Instagram

When taken into custody all hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, soap, deodorant are seized from migrants and asylum seekers and discarded. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Dec 31, 2018 at 11:29am PST

View this post on Instagram

When taken into custody all hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, soap, deodorant are seized from migrants and asylum seekers and discarded. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Dec 31, 2018 at 11:26am PST

View this post on Instagram

When apprehended by USCBP personal belongings carried by migrants crossing the desert that are considered non-essential or potentially lethal are confiscated and discarded. #elsuenoamericanoproject #refugees #caravan #claudiagonzalez

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:57am PST

View this post on Instagram

If they can afford the cost a migrant will carry an extra pair of shoes when crossing the desert. When apprehended by USCBP extra shoes and clothing are confiscated and usually discarded. #elsuenoamericanoproject #refugees #caravan #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:53am PST

View this post on Instagram

When apprehended by USCBP personal belongings carried by migrants crossing the desert such as scissors are confiscated and discarded. #elsuenoamericanoproject #refugees #caravan #tomkieferphotographer

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Nov 14, 2018 at 5:47am PST

View this post on Instagram

When traveling across the desert, the clothing worn by migrants becomes severely stressed, ripped or torn. Threads and needles are brought along for repair. Confiscated by USCBP and discarded during first stages of processing. Important day today, vote. Make your voice heard, vote. Empathy or apathy? #vote #elsueñoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Nov 6, 2018 at 3:09am PST

View this post on Instagram

When apprehended and placed in a holding cell, the belongings migrants are allowed to keep are placed in the backpack they traveled with or a property bag. When they board the bus that takes them to their next law enforcement facility, the backpack or property bag doesn't always make it onto the bus thus separating them from what they were allowed to keep. Important day today, make your voice heard, vote. #vote #elsueñoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Nov 6, 2018 at 2:59am PST

View this post on Instagram

Rosaries carried by migrants crossing the desert confiscated and discarded at a USCBP processing facility recovered from the trash. #elsuenoamericanoproject #claudiagonzalez #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Aug 13, 2018 at 5:06am PDT

View this post on Instagram

All carried by migrants, an assembly of lighters, bottle caps to water and Electrolit, an essential electrolyte replacement drink critical to migrants as they cross the desert. #elsuenoamericanoproject #claudiagonzalez #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 31, 2018 at 6:03am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Sometimes when crossing the desert a migrant will consume an energy drink thinking it will provide them with a needed burst of stimulation to make it to the end. Unfortunately these type of beverages are a severe dehydrant and can lead to death without adequate fluid replenishment. Cans of Red Bull carried by migrants stamped with expiration dates. #elsuenoamericanoproject #claudiagonzalez #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 10, 2018 at 3:46am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Utensils carried by migrants crossing the desert. When apprehended by USCBP and taken into custody, personal belongings considered non essential or potentially lethal are confiscated and discarded. Eating utensils recovered from trash. #elsuenoamericanoproject #claudiagonzalez

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 10, 2018 at 3:33am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Food carried by migrants crossing the desert. When taken into custody by USCBP all food is thrown into the trash instead of being donated to those in need because of liability issues. Cans of tuna provides an efficient and compact source of protein. #elsuenoamericanoproject #claudiagonzalez #nytgender #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 10, 2018 at 3:26am PDT

View this post on Instagram

When taken into custody all hygiene items such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, comb or brush is seized from the migrant and discarded. #claudiagonzalez #elsuenoamericanoproject

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 2, 2018 at 4:47am PDT

View this post on Instagram

When taken into custody all hygiene items such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, comb or brush is seized from the migrant and discarded. #claudiagonzalez #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Jul 2, 2018 at 4:23am PDT

View this post on Instagram

"Shoelaces, Blue" from the project "El Sueno Americano – The American Dream". Migrants crossing unlawfully into the US are stripped of their shoelaces and belts and are subsequently deported with no belts for their pants or shoelaces for their shoes. #elsuenoamericanoproject #tomkieferphotographer #elsuenoamericanoprojectfineprint

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Dec 27, 2017 at 5:56am PST

View this post on Instagram

Big thank you Christa Olson for probative thought provoking review in readingthepictures.org post of El Sueno Americano. #readingthepictures.org/2017/03/border-trash-photos/ #elsuenoamericanoproject

A post shared by Tom Kiefer (@tomkiefer.photographer) on Mar 29, 2017 at 4:10am PDT