These two stories are incredible, each of their journeys are different and yet have the same outcome, the “American Dream.” They came to improve their lives to better their futures and make something out of their lives and their families’ lives. Today more and more children are passing the Mexican and United States border from Central America in order to meet their parents on the other side and are doing it alone. The government does not know what to do, whether to leave them or deport them back to where they were running from in the first place. In El Salvador, there are many gangs that are killing citizens if they do not pay the rent that they charge. But before they charge someone rent they get to know the person’s schedule by following …show more content…
Since the 1880’s there were tensions between the different classes of people. The poor people felt as if they did not matter as much as the wealthy. Then in 1932, a party was formed: The Central-American Socialist Party, formed by Augustin Farabudo Marti; who had led some peasants against the government. Due to the leading party, the United States decided that they had to help The El Salvadorian Military Death Squads. La Matanza also known as the Massacre, had killed over 30,000 people who might have been suspicious. In 1970, there was another brawl between the people and the government. This had made the government reinstate the death squads once again. Nine years later, there was another out burst because the people were promised a better living and that did not …show more content…
Even after going through all the risks they went through on their journey crossing the border, they go through more because of kidnappers waiting for them to cross the boarder then taking them. In order for them not to kill them and be set free their families are notified for ransom money. During the time the kidnappers are waiting for the money the immigrants are locked away in crucial rooms, basements or trailers. They are not fed most of the time, not having anything at all. Some people are lucky and can escape but others are
Before reading this, I, like I am sure so many others, had no idea of the magnitude of injustices that can occur during these conflicts. Also, this was not very long ago, nor far away, and it speaks volumes of the differences in government ideology and politics. El Salvador is an extreme case of how a government will treat its citizens. Massacre at El Mozote truly was an eye-opener and I doubt I will soon forget it.
Salvador has adopted the dollar, it still isn't enough to pay for simple things such as a pound of
I find it interesting that while Rodriguez and Anzaldua came from comparable backgrounds they feel very differently about similar issues. Rodriguez believes that education should not be bilingual for children who come from Spanish speaking homes. Anzaldua on the other hand thinks that people should not be squashing the culture of these people, and should do what they can to help them preserve it. I think that in that sense one could compare Anzaldua and Rodriguez to the idea of American culture, as each are one extreme of how we view it. On the one hand we have Anzaldua, the idea that America is a melting pot, combining all of the different cultures of the different people living here to come up with a new different stew, she is the idealized thought of how America is. On the other hand there is Rodriguez, who thinks that the only way to succeed is to assimilate to the culture that is there and give up your old culture, this is the more cynical, and in some ways, more realistic view.
In the book Tunnel Kids written by Lawrence Taylor and Maeve Hickey, tells the stories of children in their attempt to cross the border from Mexico into the United States. These children are referred to as Tunnel Kids because they seek shelter within a storm tunnel. The tunnel connects the cities of Nogales, Arizona USA and Nogales, Sonora Mexico. Not only do these children find shelter in this tunnel but they find children like themselves. Children who face struggles including hunger, pain, addiction, and loneliness. These children are not completely left to fight for their own defenses, they do have a haven, Mi Nueva Casa. A place looking to change the lives of these children and take them out of the tunnels. But this haven cannot support
...t years of the war started after 1980, and ended in 1992 with the Peace Treaty of Chapultepec, Mexico. This treaty did not bring the desired peace and progress to El Salvador. Instead, the fight continued in a way of political opposition without arms. The revolutionary forces became a political party that represents the rights of the workers. The right wing party, which was originally founded by D’aubuisson, stayed in power until the elections of 2009. The popular sectors of El Salvador still face extreme poverty and oppression caused by large companies. The church continues its work with the poor but in a more limited and conservative way. After 30 years of the death of Romero, the Salvadoran Church remembers him as the hero of the oppressed and the voice of the voiceless and cries on the fact that the church was never the same after the death of its major leader.
During the second half of the twentieth century, when the Cold War was on its midst, the United States played an important role in world affairs. The increasing military power that the United States had during the Cold War, allowed it to influence the political decisions that many countries had during this time. The United States directly opposed the idea of communism, which the Soviet Union promoted. This conflict between this two great powers, lasted for five decades, and it tremendously affected the political ideologies of the world. Both countries tried to push their political and economic interest to as many nations as they could, especially those close to their borders. During this time, Guatemala was undergoing a social revolution with communist ideas. The revolution happened as a response to the social injustice committed by the United Fruit Company. The United Fruit Company started to lose land, due to a land reform passed b...
After reading The Book of the Unknown Americans, I realized how difficult immigrating to the United States can be. I am an immigrant also, so just reading the story makes me relate to many problems immigrants experience relocating to a different country. Immigrants often face many issues and difficulties, but for some it is all worth it, but for others there comes a point in time where they have to go back to their hometown. Alma and Arturo Rivera came to the United States to better their life, but also so that Maribel could attend a special education school. While Arturo had a job things had gone well for the family, but once Arturo lost the job and passed away the two of them had to go back because they felt that that was the best option for them. Reading this book made me realize how strong an individual has to be to leave their own country and relocate somewhere else not knowing if this will better your life or cause one to suffer.
In In the summer of 1968, Mexico was experiencing the beginning of a new student movement. The students sought liberal reform from the political system in Mexico. These students were determined to reveal the realities of poverty and misery and corruption in their country. (Guttmann) They were involved in different movements that would lead up to one event that would change the lives of everyone, “The Tlatelolco Massacre of 1968”. A day that ended the lives and shattered the dreams of many people. This event was the confirmation that the government could not be trusted and their lives would be determined by the actions they would take. This day would be brushed underneath the carpet and never spoken about for the sake
For many Mexican immigrants, crossing the border into the land of freedom and the American dream is no easy task. Some immigrants come over illegally by means of hiding in cars to cross borders, using visitor visas to stay longer, marrying to become citizens, and having babies as ‘anchors’ to grant automatic citizenship. Other immigrants gain green cards and work visas and work their way into becoming US citizens legally and subsequently gaining citizenship through paperwork for their families back home. After escaping harsh living and working conditions in Mexico, immigrants come to America prepared to gain education, opportunity, and work. This American dream unfortunately does not come to pass for most.
The book, The Devils Highway, gave me a very different perspective of what undocumented people coming from México have to go through and the struggles and barriers they face. Even though I had an idea of how and what undocumented people have to go through, after reading this book; Urrea, opened my eyes when
Specifically, one of those was the insecurity felt by the children as they traveled through Mexico. At one point in the film, the boys talked about how they were robbed and abused by Mexican authorities. One of them spoke briefly about how it took several Mexican officials to take his watch off his arm, because he refused to hand it over. This issue leads back to one that was described earlier in this paper, the influence organized crime has on the Mexican government. The major issue that was cited in this documentary however, is the growing number of unaccompanied children traveling to the United States. This issue has two sides to it, the social side and the political side. The first side of this issue starts at the home country of each of these children. Their government is not able or not willing to help them, and as a result they live in poverty and without access the basic human needs; water, food, shelter. This leads the children to want better for themselves and ultimately to take the decision to travel to the U.S. On the political side, the unaccompanied children are causing Mexico and the United States to spend more money on Immigration. This because they have to create more detention centers for minors, they have to house and feed them until they are deported to their country of origin. Throughout the film these issues are put into the perspective of the children. The reason the directors did this, was to show the challenges the children face as they made their journey. The reason they used that perspective is because it is a unique one. It is not every day that you hear about a 12 year old who traveled across Mexico and into the United States
Like any other family, they immigrated to the U.S. thinking about the American Dream, a better future for their kids and the generations to come. The parents wanted to provide the life they did not have to their children. One example is Carlos mother deciding she was willing to leave Mexico for her son. The book says, “Manuela was hesitant to return to the United States but felt there would be more opportunity for her younger son there… In the United States, school was free…and more demanding” (Davis 43). Manuela did not want to leave, but she knew her son would have a brighter education in the U.S. Later on it also shows the struggles of achieving what they desire because they were illegal. Another example is Oscar himself. Goins, the ROTC commander told Carlos, “you gotta be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident” (Davis 51). Oscar was trying to enroll in the Army, but unfortunately he could not serve his country like he wished because he had du that he was not legal in the country and would be taking a privilege from U.S.
For many Americans MaraSalvatrucha or commonly known on the streets as (MS-13) is an unfamiliar gang but to (FBI) Federal Bureau Investigation,(ATF) Alcohol, Tabaco, Firearms and Explosives, and local law enforcement agencies,MS-13 is an uprising globalized menace of ruthless criminals who are growing in numbers exponentially. These plagues of criminals are not only making their mark here in the United States but they are deeply rooted in their country of origin, El Salvador and all throughout Central America with the exception of Costa Rica and Panama. From drug and human trafficking across the border, to murders, kidnappings, prostitution rings and drug distribution within the United States and other countries, MS-13 is a force to be reckoned with and is as problematic as terrorism for law enforcement.
...y crossing the border does not bring any happiness in their life, actually makes their present life worse. Parents lose their children as a consequence of their wrong decision of sending their children to the United States, and then they have nothing to do, unless regretting. Even teenager abandoned by their parents, and taking their own decision to cross the border realizes that their temptation of getting a better life actually brings more frustration in their life because the path is very tough and most of the time impossible. Throughout the movie the logic, the evidence, and the reality she represents helps her to accomplish logos, ethos, and pathos which makes her argument strong. So it is obvious to say that Rebecca Cammisa’s argument the unaccompanied parents should not allow their unaccompanied children to cross the border is effective and convincing.
Since 1980, Mexicans have been the largest immigrant group in the United States.This place has been the place for the answer. People back then in Mexico didn’t have the things to support their families. The families had a coyote known as the person who helps them cross the border. Once the family or families have crossed the border they have to cautious for patrols that find and send back migrant workers. This topic is mainly about these people because it shows how they cross the border and survive. (pg.10 S. Beth Atkin)