the Mexican-American migration

the Mexican-American migration

The historical discussion of the Mexican-American migration has brought about different opinions and perspectives from various scholars and historians. The most conventional thought is that movement was due to low economic development in Mexico, which forced people up north to seek a better life. Other scholars trace the Mexican-American migration to the American invasion of Mexico in 1846, which saw them annex almost the whole of the northern part of Mexico. As a result, most migration was caused by people who tried to move across the border to meet with their relatives. During those times, the movement across the borders of Mexico and the United States was unrestricted and common. Further, the liberal development strategies developed by President Porfirio Diaz in Mexico during the year 1876 led to a lot of people losing land in the process. Consequently, many Mexicans moved up north into America to obtain work, which would allow them to own property. The same perspective is what is depicted by Yuri Herrera in his novel Signs Preceding the End of the World. The heroine of the novel, Makina, has to travel to America to find her brother. The brother is believed to have obtained a piece of land in America where he had left Mexico to pursue opportunities. The novel depicts Mexico as an underworld that is late in civilization, while America is centuries ahead. Yuri Herrera offers a fresh perspective on migration by describing the risks of movement across the border and the differences in civilization between Mexico and America.

Several other authors have also had a say of their perspectives on the Mexican-American migration. For instance, in the study Migrants in transit through Mexico to the US: Experiences with violence and related factors, 2009-2015, by Leyva-Flores et al. (2019), they say the migration process is full of violence. They argue that almost all migrants from Mexico are subjected to high levels of violence during the movement across the borders of the United States and Mexico. I agree that from the reading of Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera, there is a truth to that statement because it is backed by facts. The authors further believe that migrants who travel under illegal and irregular conditions are even more susceptible to gross cases of violence. Additionally, the authors contend that there are several cases

Further, the authors point out that migrants other than Mexicans undergo more frequent violence while crossing the Mexico-America border. Basically, the authors warn that “Migrants transiting through Mexico from Central American and other countries undergo violence more frequently than do Mexican migrants” (Leyva-Flores et al. 3). On the one hand, I agree with the authors because the people who control the border are Mexicans. On the other hand, I still hold the opinion that for criminals, facilitation of movement across the border is a business, and they do not care whether one is a Mexican or not. To add to this argument, I would also like to think that the criminals at the United States-Mexican border are of mixed nationalities. Therefore they are likely to treat everyone similarly. Looking at Makina’s experiences in her journey, she also faces similar violence to other people. I wholly agree that Makina’s experiences in her journey are even worse than other people go through. In my opinion, I would say that from understanding the experiences of Makina’s journey through the desert, there a lot of dangers involved in migration.

Other authors who offer their perspectives on the Mexican-American migration are Goldman et al. (2014) in their article The consequences of immigration to the United States for short-term changes in the health of Mexican immigrants. The authors argue that there are even further dangers associated with migration after crossing the border. In their article, the authors maintain that “it can also be a difficult experience for migrants because of the risks and costs of border crossing; poorly paying, irregular, and hazardous jobs; crowded housing; lengthy family separation” (Goldman et al. 1159). They verily believe that it is very hard for Mexicans to adapt quickly into American society due to the discrimination that exists. This argument can also be compared to Makina’s experiences when she first got to America, and a police officer had to for her and a group of people to kneel. The police officer further told them about the superiority the white people held against the Mexicans. The authors further argue that Mexicans find it hard in the United States since there are strict anti-immigration laws that limit their stay in the country. The same situation was experienced by Makina, where she had to get a new identity so that she could stay in the United States. I agree with the authors’ arguments about strict anti-immigration laws because it has seen a lot of Mexicans deported back to their country. During the administration of President Obama, most Mexicans were deported home for being undocumented immigrants. President Donald Trump has also moved to reduce the immigration at the border by proposer even tougher anti-immigration policies. The president has further commissioned the building of a wall in the United States-Mexican border to stem out the illegal movements. Most undocumented immigrants have also been detained at the border, awaiting deportation. I therefore wholeheartedly endorse the arguments of the authors that it is becoming hazardous trying to move from Mexico to America. However, I disagree with the author’s argument that Mexicans find it hard to settle down in the United States because a recent study shows the Mexican community is close-knit, and everyone gets an easy time settling down. Further, it is

Author’s Fresh Perspectives on Migration

The author views the initial migration as common and was often uninterrupted due to the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. However, the author offers new perspectives as to the changes in the Mexican-American migration, which began around the time of the Great depression in 1929. America began to deport undocumented migrants back to Mexico due to economic difficulties in the country. The only way, therefore, get to America was through illegal means such as the criminals back in Makina’s village who had connections on how to cross the border. The author provides evidence of the risk involved in the migration in different parts of the book. First, the migration can only be aided by criminals who would want a favor in return, such as carrying illegal drugs across the border. Further, the author contends that there are dangers of sexual violation, especially for females try to move across the border illegally. Additionally, there are occasions of discrimination that Makina experiences in the United States. However, I would disagree on how the author presents the discrimination part in which he states that the police officer made the kneel in his presence.

As a result, the author refers to the process of migration as a very risky and fatal affair. He, therefore, uses an old Mexican myth about nine stages a dead body goes through to get to its final resting place. The migration is controlled by human traffickers who struggle to control the border crossings and would use all the means to protect their territories. Makina is shot in the process of migration as a result of fights to protect the migration business. The author further contends that most migrants struggle to remain in America due to its civilization as compared to Mexico, which still lags far behind in terms of technology (Grinnell 28). For example, there is only one telephone in the village for communication. Mexican immigrants further receive discrimination from whites who feel that they are only fit to offer labor. Subsequently, the whites view themselves as more superior to the Mexicans. Further, the author also sees migration as a total change of identity, where he uses Makina and her brother as examples. Makina’s brother gets a new name and money, and Makina also receives a new identity at the end of the book, which she accepts.

Analysis of Movements and Places

The author uses movements to show the risks involved in modern migration to America. The roads are filled with child molesters, gangs, and criminals who are out to exploit the immigrants. The places are used to depict the push and pull factors for migration. Mexico is depicted as a village with low living standards, while America has suburbs with large shopping malls. As such, Mexicans are pulled to go to America to obtain better lives for themselves. Further, Mexico is infested with criminals making lives riskier, whereas America is described as safer for human survival. America is also depicted as liberal as it allows for the same couple of marriages, so it is a place where the exercise of freedom is condoned. Makina’s brother moves to America to obtain better opportunities for his family since, in Mexico, resources are scarce. The author, therefore, uses movements and places to show how migration is also based on a need to change the environment.

Conclusion

The novel by Yuri Herrera offers a fresh perspective on migration by describing the risks of movement across the border and the differences in civilization between Mexico and America. The author uses a journey by a Mexican immigrant to show new perspectives associated with illegal migration in modern times. There are a lot of risky encounters, such as molesters in the bus and criminals with guns in the border. Illegal migration is like walking through a valley of death, and one can be unlucky any minute. The author provides factors pushing movements, such as work and need for civilization. Mexico is currently under-civilized as compared to America, which is a liberal country. The author also views immigration as a complete change of identity as one gets to interact with other cultures, thereby ultimately forming a new language and culture. My arguments are essential to allow those interested in immigration to understand both sides of the process. My arguments shed light on the existence of the dangers of migration but also the positive effect of migration to the lives of Mexicans.