When studying Mexico, three related major issues always seem to be at the center of the discussion, immigration, drug trafficking and gang violence. Watch the following segment from BBC and read or listen to at least three articles about immigration from NPR. Read/listen to one about violence (there is a good article about Juarez), one about immigration and another about the one you found most interesting. Give a brief summary of the articles you read and then tell me what you think. Some guiding questions you might consider are: Should deportees be allowed a chance to come back to the US? What is the root of the violence that is so prevalent in many border towns? How are these three issues related? How can these major issues be solved? How is the Mexican government trying to solve these issues? What are the public attitudes in Mexico about these problems? Are there any Mexicans that are sympathetic to the cartels for the stability they might provide?
Again, you need not answer all of these questions, I am looking to find out what you think about these issues. Try and provide analysis of the problems as opposed to descriptions of the problems. You should post three different posts (one for each of the articles you chose).
The article "Vicious Gang, Barrio Azteca, Gets Its Start In El Paso" describes a powerful gang from El Paso that has wreaked much havoc in the border region. They are involved in drug trafficking and have murdered many. Certainly, the ability for drugs to flow across the border is what sustains this gang, and to prevent this flow is to severely hamper these drug cartels.
ReplyDeleteImmigration article "Mexicali": I read an article about how U.S immigration officials are trying to deport illegal Mexican immigrants for good by picking them up in buses and taking them to border cities, and most frequently the border city of Mexicali. Officials are hoping that this is a permanent solution to the illegal immigration problem. The border guard around Mexicali is especially tough but this makes immigrants that are deported there have to go around the guards and through a treacherous desert where they are at risk of being jumped by local gangs. While I was listening to his story, I began to sympathize with those that have gotten deported because in many cases, they had to leave their families and small children in the U.S. This makes them want to continue trying to go back, signifying that this bus deportation solution doesn't really fully solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteThe article "Crossing the Dessert: Why Brenda wanted border patrol to find her" depicts just how dangerous the crossing if the border is. One female, Brenda, felt so endangered that she lit a fire to be saved and deported. There are many warnings along the way to try to deter the immigrants from continuing the dangerous trek and the border patrol has even has the collect the bodies of those that passed. It just shows that there is a sort of desperation to get to the USA in order to start a new life or they are disillusioned into believing that the USA is the only way for upward mobility. In any case it just shows that Mexico is in trouble and needs to be forming a country where their own people can prosper.
ReplyDeleteThe article "Congressmen Are Bullish On The Borderlands" explains how some border congressman are less concerned about border security, for El Paso, for example, is an extremely safe city. Over the past few years, illegal immigration had certainly gone down, and this has probably been because of the recession.
ReplyDeleteI found the article "Leaving Behind the Cartel's 'Song of Death'" very interesting. The article is an interview of ex-Narcocorrido singer, an entertainer that sang for 'narco' audiences in return for drugs, women and money, Jorge Rivera. He discusses his lifestyle as a Narcocorrido and why he decided to leave that lifestyle: the threats posed by the ensuing drug wars. While this article is not directly related to the immigration problem, I believe it does have a connection to the issue. In Mexico there are many people just like Rivera who are willing to do just about anything to obtain a stable life. Some people find life as practical slaves to these cartels to b their sole option. However, there are some who do not want to submit them selves to that lifestyle of one of poverty, so they choose to leave Mexico behind and immigrate illegally, if only for the hope of living a better life. When I consider the desperation of these people I cannot help but want to say "Let 'em stay, it's cool!" But the question would be will there be a time when that sort of amnesty has to end, and what damage would it be to those who have this new expectation of the United States?
ReplyDeleteThe article "Always Watching: A Fragile Trust Lines The U.S.-Mexico Border" describes a Texas rancher and his experiences with illegal border crossings. He is somewhat skeptical of the Border Patrol, and finds their job to be at times lackluster as he often must take matters into his own hands when Mexicans attempt to cross the border. He also raised the concern of agents that are not as top-notch as they should be.
ReplyDeleteThe article "From Pancho Villa to panda express: Life in a border town" depicts what it is like in a border town on the USA side. There are targets on the USA side that make it dangerous for people to live in these towns. The violence that Pancho Villa started in the 60s has continued and in 2011 there was an attack on Columbus, New Mexico. The new mayor thinks he can make this problem into a solution. He wants to start a festival for the town and increase security. A lot of the students in the elementary school live in Mexico but they have the right because they are citizens. The parents have been detained and live across the border. The parents worked across the border in a panda express which just shows how much American culture has transcended the borders along with the deported.
ReplyDelete1916 not '60s
DeleteThe article "Arizona Struggles to gain cross border trade with Mexico" depicts the difficulties the economy has struggled with the tensions between the USA and Mexico with the illegal immigration. The recent law requiring to show papers hurt the trade because the Mexicans could no longer purchase goods. This shows that there can be a beneficial relationship between the two countries but the elephant in the room is hindering this from happening.
ReplyDeleteOne article I read was about a girl who tried to cross the border into the us illegally, but got lost and tired and was forced to wlight a signal fire so that border control would find her and rescue her from death. It also talked about the danger of wondering the dessert and how many illegal immigrants have died. This is very interesting because the border patrol rescues and then simply deports them and there is a sanctuary for people doing illegal activity. It is interesting that people would rather get caught than take their chances and it shows just how dangerous the desert is.
ReplyDeletene article I red about violence was about the protesters being killed in Venezuela because of protesting the food shortage. It was interesting to me that the leaders of the protests are college students who are about my age and that they'd be the ones in charge of it. This violent response to protesting remind me of all of the other protesters around the world that are killed and the reaction to human rights. I think he protesters are entitled to protest unless they are causing violence and unrest themselves
ReplyDeleteI read the article about the violence in Juarez and how in one year there were more than 3000 murders but more recently that figure dropped down to 500 a year. These acts of violence are most likely related to the drug gangs present in the city. The violence is so bad, in fact, that a mariachi band refused to play in that city. Many local businesses and restaurants also have to pay weekly quotas, payments in which they bribe the cartels to take be violent against them. One shop owner remarked how he had to pay nearly half of his earnings and that the man who would come to collect the payment would change often because the old guy would be killed for something. The city is making progress but there is still a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteThe article, "Crossing the desert :Why Brenda wanted to be found by the border patrol", people keep trying to cross the border but sometimes they get stuck in the desert and die. I see the necessity in stoping people from entering illegally but I just feel real sad when someone has an unfortunate end such as dieting of dehydration in the middle of nowhere.Brenda was lucky when she was separated from her group and she was lost in the desert slowly dying.
ReplyDeleteThe last article I read was about the border patrol and how it is a double edged sword. He man that lives and works near the border is harassed by thieves and drug dealers and he turns e into he patrol. Sometimes he encounters a poor person or has dinner with his friends and he does not want the border patrol involved with his life. I think this is interesting because it reflects the poles desire to be protected but not interefered with. There is a large amount of people who want the best of both worlds when it's no possible and blame the government and no themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe article ,"congressman bullish on the borderlands" a congressman is trying to improve cross sectional commerce. I find that proposition attractive, because it would save America the money that is spent on border guards and the congressman describes El Paso as a safe city and I can't comfirm it or deny it but I think that if the US would improve commerce with Mexico it would cut down on people trying to sneak in and die trying as well as hurt the drug cartels.
ReplyDeleteJuarez, Mexico: This NPR broadcast gives evidence of a decline in violence in a city in Mexico near the border between that and the US. At its height of violence, Juarez experienced 3,000 murders in one year. However, recently, there has been a decrease in criminal activity, bringing businesses and even performers back to the area. Some citizens of Juarez, however, moved to El Paso seeking asylum from the violent city. While immigration is not the root of all of the violence in border cities, there is definitely a correlation between the two. Many deportees end up in border towns without any money, connections or prospects, leading to criminal activity. The Mexican government, in an attempt to stop this process, offers returning deportees a meal, health insurance, and aid in buying transportation to other cities. This, however, does not seem to be enough to change the circle of violence in border towns.
ReplyDeleteThe article " At the border, the drugs go north and the cash goes south" emphasizes how drug money in cities as north as Chicago finds itself in Mexico. There was over 411 million dollars found during trafficking and this is just the money that was found. In regards to how this money effects Mexico, there is the general acceptance that the drug affiliation causes an increase of violence in the country. In contrast there is the positive conclusion that the drugs and the money it traffics creates employment for individuals. There is a reported over 21 billion cash in Mexico from drugs and the fact that only 411 million was apprehended acknowledges that there should be more attention payed to the crossing of suspicious vehicles fromt the United States to Mexico. The relationship of the United States and Mexico in relation to drugs also creates the bias perception that immigration laws should be altered to have more individuals immigrated because guilt by association takes place and leads to a correlation of drugs/violence with Mexican immigrants.
ReplyDeleteThe article "1994 Colosio Assasination Sets off Mexico's Catastrophic Year" describes how the Mexican presidential candidate that was hand picked by the governing party was shot in a large crowd in 1994. The circumstances regarding the shooting set off a lot of conspiracy theories especially concerning how the man died from two gunshot wounds but only one bullet was recovered. Mexico's judicial system tried to find the second gunman but to no avail. 1994 was supposed to be the year that the economy improves due to the implementation of NAFTA but instead, after the assassination, the country launched into chaos and uncertainty. This article shows how many flaws the Mexican judicial system has since they tried to find the gunmen many times and held many innocent men accountable in the process.
ReplyDeleteThe article: Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her is about the dangers of crossing the border. It talks about how many people are rescued from the desert each year by border patrol. The article shows how desperate Mexicans are to get to the US, demonstrating how bad life in Mexico must be.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the article about Barrio Azteca. It was essentially about how children both in the southern U.S. (largely Texas) and in northern Mexico were forming a gang that was based around drug trafficking, gun violence and murder to assert authority, and retaliate to a degree against the United States. The gang seemed to be the result of early exposure to drugs, and an irresponsible lifestyle as well as desperation to survive. I thought the article was insightful, yet disturbing. Although it's obvious that the United States has a huge income gap, the degree of poverty that these individual's face is enormous, and hurtful. I think that everyone makes their own choices, but it seems like these individuals don't have a choices because they are so discriminated against, and ostracized. It's not fair, and I wish that they could have amnesty, even after so many murders. I don't think we really have the right to judge them.
ReplyDeleteAnother article I read was about immigration - a woman named Brenda who started a brush fire to get rescue after being trapped in the southern Arizona desert. I think that this article was also a bit heart-wrenching because as much as we try to dehumanize the experience of these immigrants, the reality is that they do have much greater opportunity in the United States, and that most of them do actually find employment. I am happy that she was saved, but I do have empathy for her situation.
ReplyDelete"Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her" details how a woman named Brenda found herself unable to deal with the elements of nature during he attempt to cross the border. The general idea that individuals are willing to put themselves through conditions that could lead to an eventual death, suggests that those crossing the border are leaving the country for good reason. This article acknowledged the risk associated with crossing the border and Ina relation to the amount of immigrants in the United States from Mexico makes it almost bewildering to me how many families (with children) were put through conditions of dehydration and starvation.
ReplyDeleteThe last article I listened to was one generally about immigration. It was really impactful because I realized how significant family is and a support system is. I didn't know how difficult it is for immigrants to settle into Mexico, a place that most of them have never even lived before. To add to the disillusionment of living in a place that is foreign, the immigrants often don't even know anyone, and don't have papers to get a job. I think that charities are somewhat effective, but this situation breaks families apart, and creates more tension among these immigrants who are only trying to create a better life for their families and themselves. It's sad the brutality that immigrants face when America can go abroad with the Peace Corps and preach amnesty and compassion.
ReplyDeleteThe article,"Awash In Cash, Drug Cartels Rely On Big Banks To Launder Profits", based on how cartels manipulate the banking aspect of the economy to launder their money is somewhat surprising. I would think that HSBC should have known I mean the amount of money appearing out of nowhere should have had them asking questions. There's where I stop being surprised, banks are a business and they made money off the laundering, drug trafficking is a punishable crime but sometimes I think corporate crime isn't as punishable.
ReplyDeleteI read the article "At The Border, The Drugs Go North And The Cash Goes South" which talks about drug trafficking between the United States and Mexico. The article basically said that drugs come from Mexico and are sold on American streets while the money, up to some billions of dollars per year, are sent back to drug lords in Mexico (down south). The article brings out that the only way to make use of this money is by exchanging it, which can pose a serious problem for smugglers since exchanging such large amounts draws a lot of attention. The Mexican government is trying to crack down on exchange houses where these deals happen, but they flow across the border is constant. This article is interesting in regards to the violence and immigration problem along the Border. In the article, one girl said that she is a part of this lifestyle. She is happy since she is stable financially, yet she was involved in two shootings (just another occupational hazard). Immigrants come over illegally in hopes of a better future, whether that future involve their children's future or that of their cartel, and that is where I draw the line of sympathy for this problem. Like I said in my previous comment, it would be nice to let all these aspiring people over, but not all of them have the best motives and could end up influencing the current standard of living in the United States if they bring over their illegal activities. This trend is already here as brought out by the article, so I can understand those that oppose the admission and support the deportation of people involved with drugs or gang violence. I wish that there was a better system to weed out these type of people, but it seems pretty close to impossible because people involved with the drug lords also have families to care for. I'm pretty sure I just confused myself even more.
ReplyDeleteThis occurence (money going to druglords/ community leaders, not the individual workers) reminds me of Nigeria, since the money is in its oil production. However, over half the population does not reap the benefits of this industry, only a select few have the privledge of controling the money, like the situation with US-Mexico drug trafficking.
DeleteJuarez, Mexico: In a free society, individuals should be free to partake in peaceful actions. Since moving from one place to another is a peaceful action, and is often a means of pursuing ons's happiness, freedom or movement should be an obvious tenet of a free society. Since immigration involves two individuals's freedom: immigrants and Americans willing to hire those immigrants (the latter is often overlooked), immigration should be considered free and peaceable. Individuals should be able to rent to, sell to, or hire whoever they want regardless of geographic origin.
ReplyDeleteThe war on drugs and immigration is expensive and deadly for Mexicans and Americans alike. A open door policy and legalization of drugs would dramatically decrease the violence and death associated with the drug trade and illegal immigration. Criminalization of a voluntary act is not a just response. Similar to alcohol prohibition 80 years ago, the prohibition of drugs causes more problems than it solves. Nothing, other than legalization of drugs and open immigration would make the border a quieter place, for if people want to participate in illegal activities- they will, regardless of acts, policies, and/or legislation.
Congressmen Are Bullish: Steve Inskeep interviews Congressman Beto O'Rourke as they travel the length of the border between the US and Mexico. O'Rourke makes a point to show how most politicians in Washington have a skewed perspective of El Paso and the border being extremely dangerous, hence their harsh policies towards illegal immigrants. I think that O'Rourke has the right idea concerning the benefits of being so near the border- there are cultural influences that bring diversity to the US and trade benefits that could be hindered of immigration policies are toughened.
ReplyDeleteCrossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her was the article I read. The fact that she would be willing to go through her ordeal of getting lost in the dessert again really goes to show how bad life can be in Mexico and to what lengths some people will be willing to go through to leave it behind. Very surprising.
ReplyDeleteThis article really helps show how big of an issue immigration can be. Most people have the view that illegal immigration is wrong, and that those who do it are not good people. This article helped capture the sense of hopelessness some illegals have, and that is what motivates them to leave their homeland in pursuit of a better life.
DeleteThe article: 1994 Colosio Assasination Was Start Of Mexico's Catastrophic Year talks about a presidential candidate that was assassinated. It talks about conspiracies behind this shooting. It says that 1994 was supposed to be a good year for Mexico because of the NAFTA agreement but all of this violence happened instead. I think that the violence in Mexico is causing political progress in the area to be hindered because of events such as this one.
ReplyDelete1. Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her
ReplyDeleteThis report describes the experience of a woman named Brenda who crossed over the border earlier this year but was spotted by the U.S. Border Patrol. Brenda was able to escape but became separated from the group. Alone in the torturous dessert, she nearly died of starvation. However, she was fortunate enough to find a cigarette lighter, which in the vastness of the dessert is almost like finding a needle in the haystack. She was forced to light a fire so the very people she was fleeing from could save her by deporting her. While reading this article I was struck by the fact that the despite being aware of the treacherous travel experience and that many have died before them, so many poor migrants are willing to take the risk to cross the border. In a sense, they are risking their life in pursuit of a better life in our country. This is indicative of the utter desperation felt in Mexico that forces the migrant to choose this difficult path. Often, I think the fact that their decision to cross the border is a consequence of the political and economic reality at home and that it involves unimaginable sacrifices is not considered. These individuals are not deliberately seeking to break the law. Though their immigration is illegal and they may not be patiently waiting their turn as some critics claim, the reports describing their human experience tell a different story. These people do not have that option and their desperate times call for desperate measures
Awash In Cash, Drug Cartels Rely On Big Banks To Launder Profits: Once again, this is an example of how the ban on drugs is creating more problems than solutions. Drugs lords, violence, and corruption breeds in a society repressed by law which bans voluntary acts. A freer and open policy would do away with a lot of violence and corruption.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the article on Venezuelan officers who were excessively violent towards protestors. A leader commended the force and said that the violations of human rights were done by rouge officers only and that the whole force should not be reaper manses for their actions. I find this quite alarming in that these acts probably happen more often and by more officers than are being charged. Since they are the authority in Latin America they are in a sense allowed to do as they please, treat immigrants as they want and get away with it. Who is the government going to believe the illegals or the officers? And why would the government out their own officers for being unconstitutional?
ReplyDelete1) The article "Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her" gives the story of Brenda, a woman who crossed the border, got separated from her group, and was left alone wandering in the desert for her days before allowing herself to be found by border patrol. There are similar stories that demonstrate the danger of illegal immigration that these people are desperate enough to go through. It's upsetting because they are willing to face the possibility of death to have a better life while there are people here in the US who already have the privilege of living and the opportunity of trying to vie for a better life yet they don't take it. Why should these illegal immigrants be turned away for trying to take these opportunities that those who live here don't even try to? There is the argument that some may come for the wrong reasons, but there are others who do come with the purpose of finding a better life.
ReplyDeleteThe article "Awash In Cash, Drug Cartels Rely On Big Banks To Launder Profits" mentions how drug cartels use global banking systems to launder their cash. It also mentions how Mexican trafficking makes in between 19 an 29 million dollars from selling marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. There is a particular stubbornness from banking systems that lets this happen, and in response banks have boosted their anti-money laundering budgets and have increased their know-your customer rules to prevent future laundering. Prior to this article I had the preconceived notion that it was extremely difficult for traffickers to launder their money but with this new information I know see that there is a peculiar ignorance from organizations like these banking systems that cause a problem as we'll.
ReplyDelete1994 Colosio Assasination Was Start Of Mexico's Catastrophic Year: Here again is a direct result of corruption within a developing country. The war on corruption is a major factor in Mexico's political atmosphere and a more free society could support a corruption-free and safer society.
ReplyDeleteI found Leaving Behind The Cartel's 'Songs Of Death' the most interesting. It is about a guy who used to sing for narcos. He talks about how he got everything he wanted but also about how dangerous it was. He received death threats and eventually decided to stop singing for them.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the article “Vicious Gang, Barrio Azteca, Gets Its Start in El Paso” was very interesting. I cannot even imagine the amount of violence that occurred in this area. According to the article, some of the members of the gang have killed hundreds of people, simply to continue the drug trade. This is something that I will never understand. I think that maybe some people get into the drug trade business because they are desperate. If someone has grown up in poverty, and they see that they can have money and material simply by joining a gang, then they might do that, not knowing that it will lead them to do things like murder. After reading through all of the articles, I have not seen anything about what the Mexican government is trying to do to stop this violence. It seems like the only thing that is being done is more men are going to prison to serve life sentences.
ReplyDeleteThe article “Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her” was interesting to me. I have never thought about the people who give up halfway through their illegal journey to the United States. I always thought that the only trouble they would face is border patrol. According to the article, there are many who die in the desert, people who give up but are never found in time. I think this just shows what some Mexicans are willing to do to live in the United States. I think that there should be an easier way for people to gain citizenship in the United States. I am sure that all of the people who come across the border illegally would rather do it legally, without the possibility of their death. I think the main reason many choose this path is because they have no income in Mexico, and are homeless, and have nothing else to do but stay homeless. This may also be a reason why many choose to join the drug cartels, because they are a simple way to get a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteThe article that I found to be the most interesting was “Deportees To Mexicali Wait For Another Chance To Cross Into U.S.” It explained the steps that many illegal immigrants went through when they tried to cross into the United States and failed. Some, even if they were successful in crossing without getting caught, would eventually get caught after a few years and be deported again. One thing that I do not understand is why some of them need to be deported. I am mainly concerned about the ones who have started families. I do not understand why some people are being deported even if they have had a job and a family in the US for years. I think that at some point, something must be done to prevent families from being split up. Maybe instead of deporting them, they must become documented and become citizens. Then if they do not follow instructions to become US citizens, they can be deported.
ReplyDeleteI read the article titled Mexicali, and although it was about immigration I feel it has strong ties to violence. Many people are all deported to this one guarded city, and it almost resembles a prison city. Due to all of this policing of people that don't want to be there, there is often a lot of street violence. Even the police and border officials aren't safe. This again shows some of the problems associated with immigration. Many of the people trying to immigrate are good, hardworking people, but there are those that only want to look out for themselves and will do anything, including violent acts, for their own reasons.
ReplyDeleteI also read the article Vicious Gang, Barrio Azteca, Gets Its Start in El Paso. I found the whole drug trade to be interesting, as I thought it focused on drugs. This article helped me realize that it isn't just drugs, but also violence that these cartels produce. It really actually helps show the reason why some people would want to leave their country by any means, helping bring the question around full circle. In regards to the questions, everyone should be allowed the chance to enter the US, but everyone that decides they want to live there should become legal citizens. Crossing the border needs to stop, as it threatens the lives of those trying to cross, the people in border towns, and the officers enforcing the law. Border towns might be so violent because of these reasons. They are full of people that live so close but are so far away, and there are many people that don't want to be there. This helps violence form. This is also a violence that the government isn't stopping. Mexican officials only seem focused on members of major cartels, and are not interested in getting to the root of the problem. The fact that these cartels are so powerful is a major problem in Mexican politics. While some might like the cartels, general view is negative due to how many people are killed each year, something that can only be fixed by a strong response from the Mexican government.
ReplyDeleteI read the Mexicali article on immigration. What I found most interesting in this article was the number of deported immigrants who go back to the United States time and time again. I believe the statistic was something like 85% of deported immigrants attempt to return to the states. It made me think- what if, instead of focusing on deportation and immigration policy, we focused on improving Mexico and making it a more desirable place to live? I feel that if we got to the root of the issue and dealt with the things in Mexico that make people want to leave in the first place, many of the recurring issues that we are trying to fix right now would go away.
ReplyDeleteI also read the Barrio Azteca El Paso article. I found this one interesting because it demonstrates the close relationship between the drug trade and violence. I think that the widespread success of this gang in both nations reveals a lack of necessary government involvement in the issue. It's really concerning that these gang members have such easy access to military grade weapons. Also, I think that the easy transfer of these weapons and drugs between the countries is what America should be more concerned about, rather than deporting innocent workers over and over again.
ReplyDeleteFinally, I read the Pancho Villa to Panda Express article. I thought that this one was cool because it shows the other side of things. It proves that with appropriate governmental intervention and cooperation, the two nations can get along. Maybe part of the issue on the border is the fact that the border is such an issue. If it were not so strict and exaggerated, then maybe the two nations could cooperate and work on improving their own countries and their relations rather than protecting their borders.
ReplyDeleteI have really come to hate the word "re-patronization". It's just a nice word for deportation, or in some cases, ripping people from families members and the life they have come to love. I listened to the report "Deportees To Mexicali Wait For Another Chance To Cross Into U.S.". It talks about how people sent back to Mexico on buses find refuge in places like the city of Mexicali. They pick these places, not to restart their lives, in most cases, but because it is safe and it allows them to hope for another chance to cross the border. These people are determined to find better lives in the United States and their determination is admirable. Unfortunately, the process of getting back is hard on them, so they have to live in these border cities that are close to the crossing point, yet out of the way of the vioelnce in the border areas. I places like Mexicali " pop-up cities. They are thriving because people need somewhere to go; however, if they had a choice they would not live there. These cities, in theory, pop up wherever the people need them and where the location is good. Also. going back to the idea of "re-patronization", at first the term, disregarding context, made me think of the Iranian government trying to get the professional women back into the country's workforce. The term did not seem so harsh, and it made sense in that context. The Iranian government wants their female workers back. However, when the context is Mexico and the immigration that words takes on a whole new feel that I have come to hate. The Mexican government has to take their people back. In my opinion, those citizens that got a taste of what peace of mind was like in the United States should be able to stay there because I doubt they will make a splash in Mexican affairs among their return, unlike women who choose to return to Iran.
ReplyDelete2. “Vicious Gang, Barrio Azteca, Gets Its Start In El Paso”
ReplyDeleteThis report reveals the prevalence of violence along the U.S./Mexico border that has resulted from the influence of drug cartels and aggressive gangs active in that area. It specifically discusses a particular gang called the Barrio Azteca, which interestingly, was founded in the U.S. in El Paso, Texas. By describing in detail the heinous crimes committed by the gang from shooting an American couple driving home to many other to one member killing more than 100 people in one month, the report paints an extremely terrifying picture. However, what was most striking in the report is the discussion it conducted with a gang member known as El Wicked. I found it noteworthy that El Wicked was raised in El Paso and actually attended the same school as the reporter. At 18, with his mother becoming a drug dealer and his father absent he went to prison and ended up joining the gang and becoming involved with drug trafficking. Though much of this experience occurs in the U.S., it highlights some important aspects of Mexico’s role as a developing country namely the inability to combat corruption due to a weak judicial system. Also, the report describes the gangs fighting for territory within Mexico. The fact that the federal government is playing almost no role in defending the land is further indication of the ineptitude of the government to assert itself.
3. “Ruthless Mexican Drug Trafficker Was A Robin Hood In Home State”
ReplyDeleteThis reported discussed the recent capture of the infamous drug kingpin, Joaquin Guzman or “El Capo” and the reaction of individuals from Guzman’s hometown. I was shocked to learn about the positive views they held regarding Guzman as a person whom they almost viewed as larger than life. They noted that Guzman kept peace in their area, created jobs, helped the poor, and improved livelihoods. It was almost as if his vicious deeds meant nothing to them. I think this is demonstrative of the lack of an educated civil society to fearlessly advocate for freedom from the dictatorial and violent strongholds of the cartel leaders. Instead the presence of stark income inequality and widespread corruption in a developing country like Mexico has allowed the cartel leaders to manipulate the masses through enormous public relations initiatives resulting in further increases to their influence and impact.
Article - Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her
ReplyDeleteThis article is an immigration article about a person that crossed the border into the desert of Arizona and could not withstand it. Because of the high death toll experienced from journeying into the desert, signs were placed by the Patrol near the border, warning people that it isn't worth the effort. These signs will not stop people from trying, however; because everyone who crosses believes that they will have a better chance of prospering in the developed country of the United States. The Patrol thinks that it's better that the illegal crossers stay on their own side of the border. Many expressed grief over the deceased people that tried to cross the border and couldn't survive in the desert.
Article - Vicious Gang, Barrio Azteca, Gets Its Start In El Paso
ReplyDeleteThis article helped shed light on why people want to leave Mexico so desperately. They just want to be safe. There is so much violence surrounding Mexico (and the border area in general, because the gang has crossed into the United States as well). Joining the gang seems to be the best bet for some of these people, because they can't find another way to sustain themselves without getting constantly attacked and threatened. As much as I want to say that they're making the wrong choices, I can't, because they don't seem to have a choice in the first place.
Article - From Pancho Villa To Panda Express: Life In A Border Town
ReplyDeleteI mainly focused on the second part of the article because I found that more interesting. It was about children that go to school across the border, and a family that moved to Mexico. The idea that children are allowed to go to school in the United States interested me because those children are exposed to both sides of the spectrum at a very young age. This will hopefully inspire them to work harder. The other part talked about a family that moved to Mexico because the father, an illegal immigrant, got caught and deported. I'm glad that everyone decided to move with him in order to stay together, for the sake of the children. It's also nice that they opened their own Panda Express, so people can have a different taste. :)
The article "On the Mend, But Wounds of Violence Still Scar Juarez" depicts the slowly recovering city of Juarez on the Mexican side of the border. It's "sister city" on the American side, El Paso, has become a safe(r) haven for many of the people of Juarez. The heavy violence that reached its peak in 2010 was a result of struggles to control the drug trade. Control over drug trade and trafficking is especially evident in many border cities, as these town are closest to the target consumer, America.
ReplyDeleteThe relative calm which currently graces Juarez is a result of unknown causes. It is thought that one of the drug trafficking sources simply gained dominance and violence was suppressed. This is an example of the Mexican government's lack of involvement in the violent border cities; Juarez's recovery certainly has nothing to do with government action.
"Awash in Cash, Drug Cartels Rely on Big Banks to Launder Profits," is an article that focuses on the methods by which the cartels transfer huge sums of money between Mexico and the U.S. While many would assume these methods of transferring money would be extremely private and underground, they have been very simple in recent years. The cartels have simply been using lenient international banks. While HSBC suffered American involvement, and hence American fines, many similar banks' actions have gone unnoticed. What I found particularly interesting was quote from a Mexican woman who claimed that her major concern was the ease with which the cartels could carry out illegal activities, claiming they "don't even have to try" very hard to succeed. The heavy corruption in the government is a big factor in the lack of government interference in the issue; many officials are bribed, threatened, or in compliance in some way with the cartels.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, "Deportees to Mexicali Wait for Another Chance to Cross into U.S." the standard procedures for deporting people from the U.S. is described. Towns like this are chosen for their lack of violence (in comparison to most border towns) and relative difficulty to return to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteMany families have been split up due to the abrupt nature of American deportation. Herds of workers are simply taken away despite residing the U.S. for years. America has become even more strict about immigration in recent years. It is certainly a complicated issue, and hence a source of much public debate, but my personal opinion is that the domestic issues caused by immigration in the U.S. should be taken into consideration. I found this article to be somewhat biased, as it uses pathos to describe split families and noble workers, but does not include information from the U.S. perspective.
I read the article "Mexicali" which was about the busing of illegal immigrants to border cities for deportation. Mexicali is one of those border cities. It's hard for me to take a solid stance on the issue, because I don't feel like you should be in this country illegally and that the U.S. Government is too lenient with those that are. I can understand not wanting to leave family and children behind, but if you were not here illegally, there wouldn't be that problem. Obviously the busing isn't going to solve the problem of the immigrants since most just come back.
ReplyDeleteI read "Crossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her" which was a lot about how there is a high death toll from people trying to cross a desert into the U.S. and just not being able to make it. Border patrol warns via signs to refrain from going in the desert because it isn't worth it, but people are still willing to risk it to get into America where they feel they will be able to have a better life. I don't think we can be too hung up on these persons deaths, as I feel it is sorta self-inflicted. It's like your mom telling you if you touch the stove you'll get burned and you do it anyway. You can't expect to not get burned, just like you can't expect to survive crossing that desert.
ReplyDeleteThe article about Tijuana described a city that has grown next to, or perhaps spreading past the border. What really strikes me about this article is the wealth disparity that can be present on both sides of friendship park as well as within Tijuana. The disparity between Mexico and the US is clear, a lack of a strong organized labor force. But it is interesting to see the wealth disparity between. Citizens in Tijuana. According to a worldquest article I once read about Africa, wealth inequality is actually a sign of development in society. This means that society has developed to the point where some are becoming rich, and the concern should now shift from development to sharing income. It is clear that Tijuana has a long way to go, but it is interesting the progress that some have made in this country.
ReplyDeleteCrossing The Desert: Why Brenda Wanted Border Patrol To Find Her
ReplyDeleteMexican people are so determined to cross an inhospitable desert despite clear warnings of its danger in order to make it into the US, which results in a high death rate along with failed trips and possibly new members for the cartels. The fact that people are willing to make such a trip and sacrifice in order to make it into the US, where they will likely be doing jobs many Americans would never think of doing, is an indication of the troubles that plague Mexico. In addition, I find it ridiculous that they would have to go through this sort of thing, and I feel like the immigration process should be expedited in the US.
I read the deportation article about the husband being removed from his family. It is clear that this problem stems from a problem in the US visa system. The US visa system is based upon a lottery, where a twenty something who doesn't contribute to society has the same chance of getting a visa as a working father with a family. I listened to another npr story in the car yesterday talking about how often the US changes it's process for applying a visa. This can be devastating to many people who can't actively adapt to changing legalese. This is one of the roots of such a severe issue.
ReplyDeleteVicious Gang, Barrio Azteca, Gets Its Start In El Paso
ReplyDeleteThis changed some of my perception of the Mexican drug cartels, mostly because Barrio Azteca got its start not in Mexico, but in the US. The fact that the drug infrastructure has spread across the border, along with the cartels vicious crime that range from armed robbery to mass murder is concerning. In addition, I think I highlights the weakness of Mexico's government as an effective ruling body. The state is the body with a monopoly of violence, however in this case that would be the cartel, not the police.
Mexicali
ReplyDeleteMexico's a jail. Or at least, that's what it appears to be based on the two countries' immigration policy. The potential difference between Mexico and the US is so high for people that they feel they have no other choice but to try the dangerous journey across the border for the hope of a new life, and then many are captured on either side of the border and deported to this Arkham-esque guarded city. I think this highlights the backwards priorities of both countries, their goal is a brute-force method of preventing immigration, which is an attempt to stop the symptoms, not the problem. The focus needs to be on improving Mexico, not keeping people imprisoned.
I read the article on the Barrio Aztecas, what is clear from this article is that the Mexican government is not solely responsible for the rise of drug cartels. Most of these gang initiates come from prison, like the azttecas. Once released upon the world, many of these people are unable to readapt into society. With no alternative, these people are forced into the cartels due to necessity, and then their life as a citizen in either country is over.
ReplyDeleteThe immigration article that i chose was "Separated By Deportation, Family Plans To Reunite In Mexico." This article was about a woman whose husband got deported after being pulled over for not having on a seat belt. He made the chief income for his family and now they have nothing. I feel that in situations like these, where the man was on a work visa although expired, that deportation is not the answer. I feel that there should be a given a time frame in which to renew said visa in order to maintain to the stability of the home. If those requirements are not met by said date then follow up with deportation. The numbers of separated families is way to high, these are people too, who have love of ones and people they are responsible for.
ReplyDeleteThe article i found interesting is "In mexico And U.S., Lime Lovers Feel Squeezed By High Prices." A forty pound box which once sold for $4 and and change is now 25x as much. This is due to diseased trees, increases in violence and etc. I think that in order to solve this inflation problem, the US and Mexico should find other source of limes to export and import when problems arise. Putting all their limes in one basket lends their economy to vulnerability.
ReplyDeleteI picked he article that dealt with the recent reduction of violence in Juarez. One of the reasons that are discussed as possibly being the cause of less violence is changes in cartel activities. It says, “Maybe rival drug cartels reached a truce; maybe a single cartel won out.” I think this possible illustrates an instance where people would be supportive of cartel control, if it promoted relative safety and stability. This mentality is present in regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, that support extremist groups because bring a degree of structure and dependability that they perceive weak local government could not. Although dangerous, people may prefer cartel control over less pleasant alternatives, like warring between cartels and the government.
ReplyDeleteA man is deported after entering illegally into the United States in 1998. He leaves behind a wife, and an eighth month old child, both of who are U.S. citizens, and are not in danger of being deported. However, they cannot support themselves financially, and are aiming to move to Mexico, where Mendoza plans to start fresh. The humanistic aspect of this article reveals the strict and harsh nature of U.S’s immigration laws. I believe Mendoza’s immigration status should have been reviewed, and should have put into account his financial standing, as well as the repercussions of his deportation on those dependent on them. I think amnesty and redemption should be extended after review of immigration status, and that deportations should not be the first move, since many immigrants have built lives that should just be deconstructed without consideration.
ReplyDeleteThe article that I found interesting dealt with the growing tech business in borderland, Tijua. The company Mind Hub, wants to increase the cooperation with tech countries within the U.S., who currently primarily deal with tech companies in India. Among other reasons, Mind Hub states similar rime zones, and less cultural differences as being reasons for Mexican companies being a better alternative. Based on this story, the economic implications of being geographically close, but still different becomes apparent. While this article does not deal specifically with immigration, it becomes obvious that in the future, the economic gap between both countries will decrease because of entrepreneurs mentioned in this article. The relationship between the United States and the border cities will be one of both convenience and solidarity.
ReplyDeleteI read/listened to the article about Mexicali. I understood before that many people from Mexico would do whatever it takes to get to the US but I had no idea that some crossed over as many times as they do, like the man who had tried crossing about 12 times since he was last deported. I think that given Mexico's drug situation, some steps should be created to allow Mexicans to enter as refugees. I think a big problem is that many immigrants try to cheat the system, which is understandable because of their level of desperation, but it is not helping their cause, it kind of fuels dissent among Americans toward Mexican immigrants. I do, however, think that the government should work towards allowing Mexicans to legally enter the US given the problems in Mexico. I can't really think of a problem if the immigrants stay in the US and pay taxes like everyone else--I think that a large problem is that many Americans see them as opportunists trying to take advantage of the US's benefits without giving back.
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