Plight of the Immigrants

I knew there was problems with immigration. I knew there was political debates about the border and what to do. I never really paid much attention though and if I am to be honest I didn't really care. Much of what I have learned has changed that though and now I want to look into  the topic and know more about immigrants. I hope that as I share what I have learned about the plight of immigrants your heart might be softened and if you are an immigrant you might seriously think before you decide to come to the U.S..

Mexican culture by large has a culture where family is very central and important. Many Mexicans come up to the U.S. hoping to supply a better life for their children and grandchildren and so on. Studies show though how it puts many stresses on a family and can ultimately destroy their healthy family dynamics.

So how exactly does that work? First lets look at the father, he is normally the first one to leave so he can make money up in the U. S. till he can bring the rest of the family up. When he gets to the US he has no job, no money, and no place to live. Many end up on the streets or in over priced apartments with other men in his position. He is away from his family and has to start from rock bottom up in order to make any money. The troubles actually start long before he gets there though. The journey to cross the border is normally about 4000 dollars, in order to pay someone to help sneak you across. In case you weren't already weighed down by the burden of cost there isn't any guarantee this stranger will actually help you. People can get killed or captured for ransom by these people they hire to take them across. Suddenly being caught by border patrol and being sent home doesn't look too bad. Lets say you make it across safety though, you are still left homeless and with no family, in a country where you probably can't even speak the language.

Back at home family dynamics also have to change. Lets focus on the mother. Mom is undergoing a lot of stress. She loved her husband and she is scared about the journey he has to take. She now solely has to take care of the kids and hence takes on the father and mother role. She probably has never worked in her life and is now required to work since dad doesn't have a job and sends back minimal money. She is trying to balance all this and she doesn't even have her husband to go to in order to let off some of the weight of it all. Meanwhile she also is probably worrying about her kids who also feel the change in the situation.

Without their father there and their mother always busy the kids are left without any strong parental guidance. Those once strong bonds weaken especially with the totally absent father, who by the way is normally gone for four years instead of the expectant one year. The children may act out for attention. Older male siblings may become more bossy as they feel a need to take the fathers role, leaving harsher feelings between once close siblings. Children also may lose opportunities. Children who normally would  have gone to college can't because they have to support the family.

This is all before they even come to America to join the father. Once they make it to America, assuming they make it safely, it isn't the dream they may have imagined. Normally they are even more poor then they where back in Mexico.  Children who haven't had there father now don't know how to have him there and the fathers become estranged to the family. Husbands and wives have to rebuild relationships and fit in the fact the mother has changed due to her having to have fit her role as a father back in Mexico. Parents often become very protective and children have little freedoms. Children normally feel very alone being away from family and friends and in a place where they don't know the language. If children do learn the language sometimes parent, children roles can be switched to where children have more power because they can communicate with others.

Of course not all stories are the same. It is almost guaranteed though that the family dynamics will change and not for the better. Most situations are actually worse then this. Many fathers come and without there family knowing it find someone else and start a family with her. We also didn't even mention the effects it has on extended family who change their roles in order to help the family who is moving. America is a beautiful land and can have lots of great opportunities. If one wants to best help their family though it may be preferable to stay in Mexico. For those who know any immigrants show some sympathy, chances are they are in a really rough situation. For me hearing about the plight of the immigrants pulled my heart string. Maybe it too will pull yours.