Illegal Aliens Crossing Along the Mexico Border

Introduction

Immigration to America has been around for hundreds of years from all parts of the world. In the past, if one could afford the trip, he/she was allowed to enter the United States, but now it is not so easy. Due to the vast amount of time and effort it takes to acquire a visa, many foreigners find it easier to illegally cross the border. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Mexicans cross the border, which causes a sensitive controversy in which a person needs to understand the many different views on this subject.

Illegal Aliens Crossing Along the Mexico Border

Many Mexicans feel as if they have no other options than to cross illegally. In Mexico, many live in poverty and struggle to survive on farms (Cothran 69). Millions of people apply for a visa, yet the U.S. government only allows a specific number to enter each year (Cothran 31). Only 50,000 visas are given away each year (Dixon 63). They are given away in a Green Card Lottery and for those who apply and are accepted. Although, certain countries are excluded from the Green Card Lottery due to current situations. Ironically, Mexico has been excluded many times (Dixon 64). Therefore Mexicans have to apply, and since each year millions of people apply, there chances of getting a visa are slim (Dixon 64).

Crossing the border is a very difficult and dangerous journey. First, a family would save money for years to make this journey, then they would sell their land and material items (Aliens 27). They would hire a coyote, which was a guide, who would lead the way over these dangerous areas for usually a hundred dollar fee (Aliens 23). Then they would walk slowly at night, to avoid the patrol, and the only thing blocking the border is a small barbed wire fence (Aliens 57). The guides lead the immigrants to the same place each time, so there is usually a small hole to fit through (Aliens 24). Then they usually are packed tightly into a truck, like cargo, and transported to other states, such as New York. Here, they get different demeaning jobs, because they do not have the right papers to get better jobs (Aliens 26).

The Mexicans risk many things by choosing to cross the border. The journey is tough and treacherous. They must cross either miles of desert or dangerous swamps and lakes (Aliens 56). Also, if they are caught by the border patrol, the hundreds of dollars they saved for this journey would be wasted because they would be deported back to Mexico (Aliens 57). Vicious gangs that rob/murder these immigrants hide along the most used routes (Cothran 39).

The motivation for crossing the border must be very important if they are willing to risk their lives. Most Mexicans try to immigrate to find new jobs and get away from the difficult farm life (Aliens 13). They live in rural areas and have very little money so they believe they have ...