Invasion Of A Nation

Invasion of a Nation or Nature of Necessity

To explain and encounter current and past migration issues first I will give a brief synopsis of my origins. I am a Mexican American citizen whatever this means, my roots and customs are pure of Mexican culture. However, influences such as education, media and other contemporary ideals are American. Coming from a Mexican family, I know the hardships of living in a economically undeveloped country. Many of the migration issues discussed in class are sometimes undermine by the lack of empathy. To understand the enormous issue that encompasses from the political arena to owns personal view regarding migration. We must set aside the bias and prejudge, further, lose side over the rightness or wrongness of illegal migration. Then analyze in a humble and humanitarian way the situation. The films shown in class open a window into both sides pro and anti migration movements. Further, in-class discussion brought many interesting points of different sides. Geography is more than a landscape rather is a space defined by demographics and environment. The rapid increase of non-legal migrations brings a new meaning to region, space and comfort zone, especially in U.S southern states. Words such as tortilla, burrito, “the whole enchilada” and Hispanics are coming familiar and native language. This whole notion of the “Browning of America” frightens many like the word “terrorist” and resistance is fierce. Space is constantly negotiated giving up land and culture for cheaper labor and resoucers. The exponential increase of migration leads to confrontation between ideals culminating in a redrawing of cultural boundaries that extend and reconstitute U.S geography.

United States thrives upon immigration. From an early age 1492 the discovery of the “New World” open the doors to dreams. A dream is a powerful source of inspiration and movement. Many Europeans came to America from religious persecution and they dreamed of religious freedom. Others came as an enslave social class and dreamed to be freed. Lastly, others came for the American Dream of obtaining wealth. Whatever the reason America is a land of opportunity. Consequently, any culture living in the U.S today (except Native American) came from another place other than America. Necessity the mother of movement, the hunger for a better life ignited migration waves of hundred thousands throughout U.S history. From the in-class discussion, I remember somebody said: yes true we all came from other places but these are different times. I can say this: they where different times correct, but it is the same necessity.

The sense of American unity and identity came from U.S revolutionary war and then reinforced by the formation of U.S government (1776). After America became a nation citizens became more unpleased with migration movements. The migration of Irish waves of late 1800s and early 1900s proves the raise hatred against race. Discrimination frequently targeted against Irish immigrants. Many Irish communities lived in isolated ghettos. The U.S resistance of the Irish community continued until Theodore Roosevelt New Dealt. The New Dealt programs reorganize U.S working structure implementing strict rules and regulations to businesses. This minimized discrimination and poor working conditions toward immigrants and minorities.

Today’s modern day migration issues constitute from same necessity and reside same resistance as past migration movements. The difference between past and present migration movements is the word “illegal” in the context of illegal migration. The notion of illegal immigration makes any migrant crossing the U.S border without proper authority a criminal. Documenting migrants has become rather a witch-hunt than a government protocol. Unannounced U.S boarder patrol raids targeting undocumented workers are frequently seen in heavy populated Hispanic communities. In the past migration waves came to the U.S as immigrants not as criminals. In addition, the cultural differences between Hispanic and European/American traditions are greater apart than past Anglo-Saxon migration movements. The majority of undocumented migrants are of a Spanish speaking country and tradition and value systems greatly differ contemporary American way. Moreover, the gap of difference gives raise to conflict and encounters cultural redrawing boundaries. The notion of fearing the unknown in some cases raises sensationalist movements of ignorance and hatred. In the documentary of Farmingville, the reoccurring theme of “quality of life” is the central problematic. Farmingville residents say that they can no longer go to the 7-11 with out being harass. Other residents go on reinforcing the threat of undocumented workers. Many of the issues especially “quality of life” are just a lack of understanding and empathizing culture. Because the truth of the matter is that, the majority of migrant workers come out of necessity. They are not criminals nor come to harass they come to work and to sustain their family. Lastly, the increase of media technology has become a major source of information. In the past it took weeks to get a message from coast to coast now it takes seconds. Media broadcasting rapidly raises any relevant issue. Unifying and organizing movements into collective takes on the issue. The similarity between recent and past migration movements is economic prosperity for the most part.

Resistance of illegal immigration has become a fight for so-called “quality of life”. Other problematic such as untaxed work and benefits are considered. Many characterize the migration movement as an invasion or proclamation of land. The collective migrant consent is to work to earn a better living not to colonize and take away. Some U.S citizens feel that immigrants are invading their space and that their known culture is changing in something of a Hispanic folklore. Space is redefined and boundaries are drawn limiting cultural interaction. We can see this happening in San Diego; 15 years ago, the majority of population living in San Ysidro and in Chula Vista was European-American. Now new boarders have redrawn space and redefined San Ysidro and Chula Vista. New parameters of expectation are build upon culture. Culture dictates behavior and customs. As the incoming Hispanic culture increases pushing in many cases European Americans to the north, space gains a different meaning. The influx of immigration cannot be stopped it can be delayed to some extend. This current immigration movement will