September 2001 Call to Action News

Illegal immigration: Suddenly the issue may be getting attention

by Mauro Pineda

From June 27 to July 1, Mauro Pineda of the CTA staff participated in a Maryknoll program called Friends Across Borders (FAB). He traveled to the Texas-Mexico border to learn more about sweatshop labor conditions in the maquiladoras - factories run by U.S. companies on low-wage labor on the Mexican side. But he also had an immersion experience in the realities of immigration. He filed this report.

When 14 Mexican men died recently in 115 degree heat as they crossed the Arizona desert, both Mexico and the U.S. began to focus more on a situation that continues to threaten immigrant lives. Last year, 383 people died in their efforts to cross the border illegally. Everyday, roughly 4,600 are caught as they hop the fences, swim the river or risk the desert. Today, an estimated 6 to 12 million undocumented residents are living in Los Angeles, Chicago and other major cities throughout the U.S.

Why is the border needed? Increasing patrols from 3,400 in 1993 to 8,000 in the year 2000 has not kept illegal drugs out of a country that continues to be the largest drug consuming nation in the world. If national security is a concern, the terrorist bombings of the last decade have proven that there are major loopholes. Besides, people who look "American" and speak English with the proper accent are rarely asked to provide documentation. The immigrants that always seem to get apprehended, mainly from Latin America, are usually innocent, hard-working people who come to this country for no other reason than to work, despite very low wages. They contribute greatly to the economic growth of the United States, pay income taxes, and are still not allowed to receive benefits.

Statistics are awakening this country to take the Hispanic community seriously. According to the 2000 census, one in every eight people is Hispanic; of those under the age of 30, it's one out of every six. Under the age of five, one out of every four children living in the U.S. is Hispanic. This, of course, does not consider those six to 12 million who were not counted because they are undocumented. It is also estimated that within five years 40 percent of the electoral college will be elected by the Hispanic community. By the year 2020 Hispanics will have a buying power of $2 trillion. Politicians and major corporations alike are aware of this. They also know that immigration is a key issue in winning over the Hispanic population.

The Catholic Church is also paying attention, because of the 63.7 million Catholics in the U.S., 25 million are Hispanic. Some parishes, even as far north as Chicago, celebrate all of their weekend masses in Spanish, and seminarians are highly encouraged to study the language because one day it will come in handy. A typical Hispanic home will use 80 percent Spanish in its day to day communication. It is not surprising, therefore, that time and again, Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles advocates on behalf of illegal immigrants. Their presence makes Catholicism the fastest growing religion in the U.S.

Rhetoric on immigration is fine, but what's desperately needed is action. Maryknoll's program, Friends Across Borders (FAB), is one good step. In El Paso, Tex., and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Steve Hicken and West Cosgrove, the organizers of FAB, are educating people about the senselessness of referring to people as illegal. Last June, I was one of 12 participants who walked with them along the border at the desert. The immigration officials on duty warned us about the dangers of approaching certain areas, referring to the people rather than the environment. But later that same day, Doña Cata, who had been an illegal, and her daughter Patty, shared their story from a different perspective. Their genuine love for life and beauty of character immediately overshadowed all negative impressions that the patrols had created. There was also the testimony of Cecilia and Mireya, both of whom work in maquiladoras, that tugged at our hearts.

Despite these people, who are the salt of the earth, the reality remains: there are children born in the U.S. who nevertheless lose their parents to deportation. Families from other countries are torn apart as the mother or father leaves their homeland in search of economic prosperity.

Sure, laws exist. But how can a country that prides itself on having been founded by immigrants close its doors on those who follow the same dream? In September, Vicente Fox, President of Mexico, will be in Washington to discuss some of these very issues.

Friends Across Borders is organizing a group to visit the Philippines Nov. 2-11. The next FAB group to return to the Mexican border at El Paso and Ciudad Juarez will be Apr. 3-7, 2002. For information on how to participate, contact Steve Hicken at (510) 889-1787 or visit www.friendsacrossborders.org