Being a white woman in middle class America, I will never fully comprehend how lucky I am and how easy my life is. The restaurants that I eat at, the trips that I take, the ease of going back to school and finding a job and buying the things I need when I need them. The luxury of being able to go out at night, and to feel safe in my own home.
Then I think of all the children that have crossed the U.S. border illegally, sent by their families in hopes of having a better life. Most years about 20,000 children attempt to enter the country illegally, this year we are likely to reach 90,000.
The young people and families I know that have attempted crossing the border have done so for two primary reasons: 1) Their mother or father lives in the United States and they want to be together 2) They have been threatened by a gang, or may be in the future.
In the 1980's the United States began supporting the El Salvadoran government in the civil war, by training the soldiers in violent war tactics and providing thousands of weapons. Unfortunately, the weapons are still around as is the culture of violence. Many El Salvadoran men sought refuge in the United States during the war, and became involved in gangs out of Los Angeles. These Los Angeles gang members continue to be deported back to El Salvador every day, where the gang population continues to grow.
So I consider, if I had a son who was asked to join a gang in El Salvador, what would I do? If he says no, they will most likely kill him. If he says yes, he will most likely be killed in gang violence. If I send him to the United States to cross the border illegally, he will struggle. But - he may make it. He could survive. But, immigrating illegally to the United States is usually a permanent move - I may never see him again.
A mother's love for her child. That is why there are so many children arriving every day to the "frontera" in hopes of a better life.
People sometimes say "protect our freedom". I'm not sure what freedom is. I do know about safety. I am grateful for safety. To be able to walk through the streets, without fear.
I guess what I'm saying is, count your blessings. Whether near or far, it's good to know that you will see your loved ones again. Tell the people you love that you love them.
Someone recently asked me why immigrants can't use the $5,000-$10,000 that they normally pay a coyote and instead fly to the United States and just stay there. The U.S. has made it very difficult to travel from Central America legally. There is a $200 charge to apply for the visa, and then you may get an interview. Almost all the people I know in El Salvador have been denied a travel visa to the United States. They look for financial stability (a regular, larger paycheck) and that you have a family in El Salvador to come back to.
Planes from El Salvador to the United States are filled with elderly grandmothers, from my experience. I suppose by that age the U.S. embassy just says, "go ahead and go" since they are not physically able to work. They may be seeing their children for the first time in 30 years. Many families may never see each other again, maintaining a relationship over the phone with their parents for the rest of their lives.
I guess what I'm saying is, count your blessings. Whether near or far, it's good to know that you will see your loved ones again. Tell the people you love that you love them.
