Desperation. Millions of people from Mexico flee to the United States in hopes of a better life. America promises a new beginning for immigrants who have a burning desire to change their circumstances. For many, America stands true to the message of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But the real question is, why are millions fleeing their own country - is there no hope for them there? In the article Illegal Immigration: Mexico’s Shame, the reader is able to see why millions of Mexicans have immigrated to the United States: they move not because they want to covet Americans’ jobs, like many believe, but because there is NOTHING in Mexico for them. These people’s lives in Mexico need a drastic change, “the Mexican government…refuses to make the necessary reforms as expediently as necessary to provide basic opportunities and services to their citizens,” (Mendez, par 10). The article attempts to show Americans why Mexicans want to come to our country, a side that many American citizens have never questioned or cared to find out. There is no way to make a better life for oneself if his/her country is not willing to help, “the Mexican government must more rapidly invest to upgrade basic infrastructure that would begin to address the deep economic divide between the rich and the poor,” (Mendez, par 16). Though coming to America is very dangerous for illegal immigrants, and they may earn very little money, and are not treated well, anything is better than the lives they left behind in Mexico.
As an American citizen, I have often thought, as many others do, why there is suddenly more than ever a dramatic increase in illegal immigrants in the United States. More than 400,000 Mexicans make the dangerous cross over the border every year yearning for a better life. Do the Mexican illegal immigrants come because they want to take our jobs, or do they enjoy the low pay? NO - there is no option in their country for success. America for them is a beacon of hope, or a light at the end of a dark and dreary tunnel whereas Mexico is that dark and dreary tunnel. The American government’s goal is to help its citizens. Apparently the Mexican government does not feel the same way about it’s citizens, “the lack of and the unwillingness of the Mexican government to provide economic opportunities at home create the conditions of despair that launches an exodus,” (Mendez, par 20). Though Mexico is a country that is on the list of the top highest GDP, the government will not spend their money on education and basic medical care. Mexicans turn to America and see a place where there are many rags to riches stories and have policies like “no child left behind,” and want to experience it for themselves. I was one who once questioned the validity of the immigrants’ dreams. After reading this article I can see why they thought America would be the perfect place for them –America is a melting pot. For many Mexicans their home country will not help them – their only option
is to escape to America.
Even though life in Mexico is very difficult, Mexican immigrants may not anticipate. the hardships that they will face once they get to America. They know it will not all be sunshine and smiles, but many times the reality of coming to America hits them hard when they cannot find work, live in poor conditions or receive racist attacks – but they most likely should anticipate the first two; they are here illegally. The Tortilla Curtain, by T.C. Boyle, is an excellent showcase for the plight of illegal Mexican
immigrants, where every day there is a new challenge that crushes their own American dreams. The trek alone to America can result in death, torture and other harmful tactics. But once the immigrants enter America, the consequences do not end there. Numerous possibilities that could end their life or result in their deportation back to Mexico still exist. In the book, Cándido and América Rincón are terrified by la migra (immigration) for good reason: at any moment they could be sent back to Mexico. Everyday brings new uncertainty: “la chota- the police – and the Immigration…each morning [Cándido] went out looking, not knowing whether he’d be back at noon or after dark, he’d warned América to douse the fire and keep out of sight,” (Boyle, 27). It is awful that these people must resort to live in such dreadful conditions because of their former government’s refusal to take care of its people. Mexico should not rely on America as a dumping ground for their poor people. It is not up to America to save them. Illegal immigration is hurting our economy and causing overpopulation. Also, the characters in the book deal with racism like real illegal immigrants do. After a group of boys ransacked the camp the Rincóns were staying at, Cándido “noticed their parting gift, a message emblazed on the rocks I pain that dripped like blood…BEANERS DIE.” (Boyle, pg 62). There is severe hatred toward immigrants in America due to feelings that they are hurting the economy, taking our recourses, or just because some people are racist and feel they should stay in Mexico. The immigrants’ problems in America will never be fixed until Mexico can successfully solve its own problems and then take responsibility for the welfare of its people.
Both Mexico and America have many issues to work out when it comes to the topic of Mexican illegal immigrants. Though America may hold a bright future, Mexican illegal immigrants shouldn’t have to risk their lives to come to America – their own country must attempt to create better lives for its citizens. Americans must also learn the predicament of the immigrants before jumping to conclusions. I am sure most people do not know how poor conditions in Mexico are and the suffering the citizens endure everyday. I did not know of the conditions occurring in Mexico and I encourage people to become more knowledgeable on the subject of illegal immigration before they judge or jump to conclusions. Books, like The Tortilla Curtain, are extremely useful tools in times like this because Americans can experience the life of an illegal immigrant and the juxtaposition of them to American citizens dealing with these new situations. Unfortunately, I do not think that América and Cándido, in The Tortilla Curtain, will be able to accomplish their American Dream. Realistically, many illegal immigrants cannot find jobs and therefore suffer, or they are deported. If Boyle ends the novel on a happy note, it would ruin the point that the novel is trying to accomplish and make it seem like the American dream is easy to achieve with hard work – it takes a lot more than that. The rags to riches for illegal immigrants today only occur to an extreme few. Both Mexico and America need to change and hopefully it comes sooner than later.
Works Citied
Boyle, T.C. The Tortilla Curtain. 1995. New York: Penguin Group, 1996.
Mendez, John. "Illegal Immigration: Mexico's Shame." Americanthinker.com. 16
Mar. 2009. 16 Mar. 2009
http://americanthinker.com/2006/05/illegal_immigration_mexicos_sh.html.
