Comments on: Strange Geographies: Death at the Border

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:18:46 +0000

While these pictures and the circumstances behind them are sad indeed, it is unfortunate that people choose to ignore the fact that these folks were lawbreakers plain and simple. My parents immigrated *legally* to this country from Mexico 50 years ago. I have other family here who also chose to immigrate *legally*, rather than break the law. We are not a family of means by any stretch (and some of us are quite poor by American standards), but we are a family who respects the rule of law and expect others to do the same. There are avenues to come to this country legally, but those who choose to enter illegally do it because it is easier than filling out paperwork and waiting their turn. Sorry, but I don’t subscribe to the notion that just because Mexicans want to come here and work, we should turn a blind eye to the fact that their first act in this country is an illegal one. If my family can go about it legally, so can everyone else.

FYI, my people (Mexicans) have unfortunately made skirting the law and bribery into a national pastime in Mexico and it is something that both saddens and embarrasses me. Not all Mexicans engage in this behavior, but it is quite common there and something I have witnessed firsthand. So forgive my cynicism for not to buying into this bullshit about how Mexicans who enter the U.s. illegally have no other choice, blah blah blah. Most of the time, it is simply because they can get away with it while bleeding heart Americans turn a blind eye.

By: Souriane

Souriane — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:40:44 +0000

I love your stories! Very interesting!

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:18:09 +0000

As a descendant of immigrants, I am immensely grateful for their sacrifice and bravery to secure their children’s future. This article makes it all the more obvious what people are willing to risk for a better life and a brighter future. If my situation were dire enough, I’d break a law in a heartbeat for my children.

By: Elya C.

Elya C. — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:33:29 +0000

The photos of unknown migrants graves are really scary but the lack of humanity’s sense it’s even worse…it’s a shame.
How someone can compare or justify a tragedy (the dead of a person) with the “illegal” term?. Unfortunately, the photos and some people show us, how far we are of understanding what justice means.

By: Heaz

Heaz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:41:46 +0000

Thank you for reminding us of our humanity. Helenann is right. Ransom, thank you for sharing your sharing your amazing perspective as you travel through life.

By: SAM

SAM — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:04:00 +0000

Helenann, it couldn’t have been summed up any better. Heartbreaking.

By: Helenann

Helenann — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:49:26 +0000

Whenever I find myself torn about this subject, I think, “What in God’s name are they escaping that would make this alternative even a choice?” I don’t like the draining of funds, but I like inhumanity and suffering even less.

By: Yardbird

Yardbird — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:12:11 +0000

Does that cross read ‘No mas’? Has anyone seen Roberto Duran recently?

By: Molly

Molly — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:53:46 +0000

Wonderful article.

As to the comments, maybe these people had no other choice. You have never been in their shoes, or know what they are dealing with. Perhaps you should think of that before you condemn…

No one deserves to die alone and be forgotten in a nameless burial plot.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:52:39 +0000

Mark F., finding an intruder eating your food would indeed be concerning. However, it seems these undocumented migrants are risking their lives crossing into the US so they can work for very low wages.
The way to stop them is easy – don’t hire them.
But it is clear that their labor is in demand; they continue to be hired. As long as these people fill a valuable and desired role in the US economy, no wall or border security will keep them out.
Perhaps this article is not about “the writer’s self-image enhancement,” but simply a reminder that the right to live and work in the US is extremely valuable. As a US citizen (I assume you are one), you should consider yourself fortunate. And if you came to the US with out personal effort (for example by birth or immigrated as a child), you have, in a sense won the lottery.