In the discourse over Arizona’s new and nasty and utterly un-American immigration law, one point is often overlooked: the crushing desperation of masses of people in our very own backyard.
I snapped the photo above while zipping through the outskirts of Mexico City where millions of poor souls live in “homes” like this one. Locally, they’re known as “parachutes,” because their ramshackle accretions appear to have fallen from the sky. These people live mainly on money sent home from the USA, usually from relatives working here illegally.
This past weekend, I drove my father down to Tombstone and Bisbee for the first time. Visiting from suburban Pennsylvania, he was amused at the “no firearms” bills posted on the windows of shops, restaurants and (hilariously) at least one shooting range. He was intrigued by the homemade Minutemen signs, their silver-hearted coyotes proclaiming some sort of vigilance. He was surprised by the impromptu Border Patrol checkpoint, and its seeming futility when the agent simply whisked our white faces right on by. But mostly, he was astounded at the breadth of the dangerous Arizona landscape that Mexicans are willing to cross to get here.
“You mean they walk through here? All this way? Through the desert?”
“Yes,” I said, pointing out the hovering helicopter in the distance.
“Wow.” He gazed at the rough terrain with a serious expression for some miles, before adding, “Anyone who does that can stay here as far as I’m concerned.”
This article appears in Apr 22-28, 2010.
The Arizona law is not bad at all, it’s following the laws already in place. The laws do nothing more than what any other country would do and are appropriate.
Good point about the masses of needy people. Unfortunately we can not take in as much of the worlds population as we do without long term over population problems which will bring down our environment, pollute, stress our water and farm land, and crowd our cities (whose to say they aren’t already bad but they could be much worse projecting population demand on resources). To avoid ripping up the landscape like Bangladesh we need to reduce legal immigration to levels that maintain a replacement level population, accounting for the higher birth rate of recent immigrants. It’s not a difficult concept.
Let in people who have skills and can prove they can support themselves at whatever number is necessary for replacement level population projected over the next 20 or more years.
Unfortunately we can’t take on the worlds population beyond our carrying capacity just to help out and think we are making a difference because the world replaces those populations faster than we can take them in. It really doesn’t help the word, and only hurts us down the road if done in large numbers. As much as we want to help others, it would be better to help them where they are. For starters the Pope and Catholic Church should endorse using condoms and birth control. It would help make very nice livable places out of places where population growth outpaces the economy to support them. I’m just endorsing common sense, not anything cruel in terms of population control. Secondly to help people thrive economically, any local government corruption that makes it difficult for individuals to set up and run a business to support themselves should be rooted out. That would help get things going.
Thanks.
Syllogism, Thanks for your comment. I agree completely with your condom message. In fact, I was in Mexico City that year to attend the International AIDS Conference. However, I feel that when you use “us” and “our” that it should not be so determined by political borders. That’s just how I see it. Thanks again though, for your thoughtful response. Best, DK.
I don’t consider the law to be “UnAmerican” .. in fact, just the opposite! What is “UnAmerican” is the disrespect for our laws. Your entitled to your opinion, but it is just that yours. Over 70% of the population have another opinion in opposition to yours, of which I am one.
I am a US Veteran and a Mexican American. At first glance I look Mexican and the new law makes it a crime to look as such. I have earned my place in this country. I come from illegal immigrants and I am not ashame to say it; however, I will not apologize for it. This law allows law enforcement to harass me under racial profiling and gives that person the authority to violate my rights as an American citizen. Those are rights that I, and many Veterans, have fought and died to protect.
A followup to the post by US Legionaire (above). It shouldn’t have to come this but, you know, gotta pick away at Maricopaland’s fund raising activities…
Here it is, “U.S. Latino Patriots: From the American Revolution to Afghanistan, An Overview”
By Refugio I. Rochin and Lionel Fernandez
at: http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/17.3.…
(it’s a pdf, so you gotta download the adobe reader thing or some such if you haven’t already)