AlterNet
They've come from all across the United States to a 23-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. Journalist Andy Isaacson went too, camera in hand, to document the event. As he notes in his far-reaching piece today on AlterNet, the Minutemen volunteers are "indignant at an illegal invasion that sees immigrants, drug smugglers and possible terrorists streaming across a porous and undefended border." They're also hard to typecast, he discovers, motivated by a combination of patriotism, racism, pride and xenophobia. And their goal -- more effective border control -- may be a quixotic one. Marisa Arrona adds her thoughts to the mix, considering the benefits that undocumented workers bring to the United States.
SPRINGTIME ON THE BORDER
by Andy Isaacson
Instead of waiting for Washington to take action, the Minuteman volunteers bring Washington to the border, demanding attention for an illegal immigration storm.
Springtime on the Border
THE FACE OF THE FRONTIER
by Marisa Arrona
Border vigilantes and their talk of "protecting the
frontier" obscure the real faces of Mexican immigrants and
their contributions to the United States.
The Face of the Frontier
3 comments:
I think the issue of why those in the first article feel they need to stop illegal immigration, as near the end when they are talking about federal benefits, is the working poor really are screwed in this country. Make some money - less benefits you are now eligible for, therefore they see those that might be making even less money and getting benefits as unfair. I understand their frustration, but believe they are angry at the wrong people. The second article is just a silly argument. Illegal Mexican immigrants contribute x amount so we shouldn't stop them from coming, etc. I think that illegal immigration is a problem, but I don't see any way to stop it. There is no way to police our long borders well. What I don't like about granting citizenship to illegals is that it encourages people to not go through the process, and screws the law-abiding who wait their turns, especially all those that wish to come to our country but aren't fortunate enough to share a border with us. It's the classic example of the person doing the wrong thing getting ahead of the person who is trying to follow the rules (pet peeve of mine). Second, I think we really need to look at why illegals, especially Mexican illegals, are granted citizenship periodically in a sweep. I don't think it's kindness nor the tax-revenue rationale that is always given. There's money to me made.
Susanne,
We should discuss some... I have mixed feelings on the issue... I also don't see Mexican immigrants as a problem, they have always been hard-working people who strengthen our society (both the legal and illegal) and view the resistance against them as somewhat xenophobic... I'm no longer living on the border, but... hell to tired at the moment (I just got back from Minneapolis) we should talk more about it when we get a chance.
Oso--thanks for the link!
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