Mary Damiano Ms. Protos 9th Honors Literature March 29, 2010 Illegal Immigration: Striving for the American Dream John Kavanaugh, professor of philosophy at Saint Louis University, declared that “Between twelve and fourteen million illegal aliens live in the United States today” (8). Illegal Immigration seems to be a persistent issue throughout the United States. Not to mention that “59% of all Illegal Immigrants are from Mexico” (Kempa 1). The plethora of Mexicans crossing the US and Mexican border is only increasing each year.
Miriam Raftery states that “an equivalent of two Illegal aliens cross the border each day in search for a better life, but not all make it as they had dreamed” (1). The United States may be called the dreamland, but for some people it is like a journey through hell. Illegal Immigration from Mexico has problems such as increasing death rates in the Mexican population, dangerous abuse of human trafficking laws, struggle to survive, and the sabotage, vandalism, and treatment along the border that need solutions such as amnesty, following the Illegal alien laws in Mexico, and background checks on Illegal Immigrants.
Since the United States has improved the security on the border; Mexicans are now having to come up with more creative ways to cross. These ways are unsafe and in turn is taking the death toll to a new high. For example, “In 2008 alone 10,000 Mexicans died crossing the border which is three times as many deaths than in the nine eleven terrorist attacks” (Raftery 1). These extreme deaths rates are inhumane. People are dying of starvation, uncleanliness, and pure torture by los coyotes; the people that help bring the Illegals to the states.
Mexicans are left deserted in the middle of the desert or might have to crawl through pitch black sewer lines just to get to the other side of the border. Some even have to climb barbed wired fences and end up injured. The death toll among the Mexicans has sky rocketed and needs to be stop before an entire population is wiped out. Mexicans that come to the States illegally also have to face the vulgar reality of human trafficking. Americans take advantage of the Illegals and use them for tedious work or even unwilling sexual acts.
People are raped and or worked exceedingly hard for little pay. Illegal Immigrants are tricked into doing horrible acts, such as prostitution, drugs, and or slavery in return for not turning them into the government (Raftery 1). The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution states “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States…” (13). People in the United States are breaking the law that the founding fathers declared. Whether you are a legal citizen to the United States or not; the way a human being should be treated has no exceptions.
Illegal aliens also have to face the struggle of living in the United States while trying to maintain secrecy from law enforcement and being able to survive. Illegal Immigrants honestly cannot live normal lives because they are constantly on watch for sabotage. Also if the Illegal Immigrants do not speak English or live in an impoverish area the Mexicans begin to look very suspect able. People might have this idea that jumping a fence and blending into society is easy, but it is so much harder. For example “violence escalades daily” (Raftery 1).
Mexicans begin to get fed up with their living conditions and the way they are treated which causes them to act up and the police get involved, and then violence is created. Enrique Morones, a Mexican Illegal Immigrant, says “These people came looking for opportunity. No one expected to die” (1). This evidence only gives the Americans an inkling of how hard it is to live in the United States while incognito. Trying to hide from law enforcement and sustaining survival is not something that is done with great ease. It is mentally, emotionally, and physically nerve racking.
The sabotage and vandalism of the help provided for the Illegal Immigrants is absolutely horrible. An organization of philanthropists called The Border Angels spend their time trying to help and provide for the Illegal Immigrants, but everything they try to fix or provide is ruined. For example some of the work they do is putting up water fountains around the desert for those on their journey to the states, but people come and poison the water or slash the containers (Raftery 1). Also at the border there is a group of people who secure their side of the US border from the Illegals called minutemen.
One day on the San Diego border there were constant shots heard throughout the city that went on for minutes on end. These shots were coming from a group of minutemen just shooting at the Illegals as if they were animals and would not stop until they saw no more of the Illegals in sight. One the minutemen said anonymously “We will continue to shoot illegal aliens as they try to cross the border until the stench of blood and rotting corpses discourages further illegal attempts to enter this country” ( Raftery 1) These are only a few of the gruesome things that happen along the road to the United States.
People do not understand the extremities and dangers that happen along the border. It is not safe by any means and a completely morbid way to handle a situation. Amnesty for the Illegal Immigrants is a huge solution that has been talked about for years. The immigration laws in the United States need to change. The Catholic Bishop of Mexico says “It’s an inhumane immigration program” (Kavanaugh 1). Giving amnesty to Illegal Immigrants would be an easy solution to the immense problem. Allowing these people to just live normal lives and not have to worry about seclusion would be a fantastic and an appreciated idea.
Amnesty would also allow many Mexican families to reunite with the rest of their family. Instead of sending money to Mexico for their family, they can give it to the United States and be an involved citizens. In the long run, Immigrants will help the United States with money as newly taxpaying citizens. Also by following the Mexican Immigration laws, America will truly fit the mold of the dream land. The Mexican government believes that all borders should be open (Scaliger 1). The Mexican government has the mentality that people cross borders not for harm, but to better their lives.
The Mexican law state that anyone can come into the country illegally as long as you follow their illegal immigration laws. The Mexican Immigration laws show a fair and just way of treating non-natives. It is a perfect example of how a country should be run. Equality and freedom are two of the easiest, quickest, and most efficient ways to cure this problem of Illegal Immigration. Allowing Illegals to live here freely would be beneficial to all for the sole purpose that they are here to work and can improve our crumbling economy. Americans should allow the Mexicans to come here legally with a mandatory background check.
This check would help the United States differentiate the Mexicans here for positive change and those here for unwanted activity. Some of the observations made by looking at the Mexicans’ records would be their criminal records and social activity in Mexico. “The easier it is for legitimate people to get here (while keeping the “bad guys” out), the better we can prevent the “black market” immigrant transport problem we have now, which is very profitable, but so far not taxed” (US Border Patrol 1) This statement brings the complete idea of the solution together.
It gives a clear idea of how the Mexicans think of things. Making sure that these people are legitimate can truly ameliorate the Illegal system. This solution can also send back those in the United States here for unappreciated activity. Illegal Immigrants come to the United States to better their lives and should be able to have the same right as any citizen of the United States. Being a legal citizen should not limit the respect you are given. Legalization is just a proof of residency not a judgment of character.
The strife and pain that Illegal Immigrants go through to get to the states is horrendous for anyone. They leave their homes to better their lives and support their families and that right should not be taken from them (Kavanaugh 1). Although, throughout all the pain they go through they keep coming back in search for that dream. Like Enrique Morones said these people came looking for opportunity not an unwanted death. Illegal Aliens deserve the same amount of respect, legal or not. Bibliography Kavanaugh, John. “Amnesty? ” America March 10, 2009.
SIRS Knowledge Source. Web. 14 Mar. 2010 Kempa, David. “Why Do Millions Risk Their Lives To Cross The Border” News 21 January 28, 2010. SIRS Knowledge Source. Web. 14 Mar. 2010 Raftery, Miriam. “Dying to Come to America- Immigrant Death Toll Soars” East County Magazine. East County Magazine, Sept. 2008. Web. 14 Mar. 2010 Scaliger, Charles. “Double Standard on Immigration” The New American. The New American, 11 June. 2007. Web. 14 Mar. 2010 “A Solution to Illegal Immigration. ” US Border Patrol. Neuter Mexican, 2008. Web. 14 Mar. 2010.
