Han Oído? You’re Illegal Before You’re a Human.

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

Nelson Mandela

(This article is not an argument for, or against, immigration. It is an observation of the differing treatment of human beings who are, and are not legal on United States soil.)

Immigration is currently a hot topic. However the real immigrants here are the Anglo-Americans. The phrase “America was built on stolen land” may seem recurrent and a bit cliché, but that does not change that it is still a fact. America was built on immigration and by the right of discovery. However, America was not an undiscovered land.

The Native American population was taken advantage- and continue to be- of in order for us, Americans, to be here. Because of the right of discovery, American’s were able to create their own laws to protect and benefit themselves. Throughout history more laws and acts would be fought for and passed. One of these acts was the Human Rights Act. However, are these human rights really for everyone? As long as you are first and foremost human, that seems to be true. But sadly, we live in a time where your green card is the defining factor of humanity.

Inmigración de Mexico:

Those who immigrate from Mexico illegally often feel they do not belong here nor there. That mindset becomes dangerous as it leaves the person in a state of isolation and helplessness. When crossing the boarder women are particularly in peril. They have to pay and trust that the coyotes will take them across the border. But by being forced into trusting a stranger the women are thrown into a vulnerable state. Often times women would be beaten and raped while on their journey. Some are even sold into the sex trade and have no where to turn. Their state can not help them, they’ve given all their money to the coyote, and the U.S would only turn her away back to a country that has spit her from its mouth.

There are countless reasons for Mexican people to cross over into the United States. Some include safety, a promise for the future, a last resort, an escape effort, and so the list continues. Having parents who both immigrated from Mexico, I understand the desire to strive for a better tomorrow. But the irony I struggle with most is that those immigrating out of Mexico are often turned away from land that once belonged to them. Not only are they denied their own land, but if they are successful in immigrating, they are naturally disadvantaged.

Upon arriving to the United States, an immigrant is already met with insults and a stigma that cannot be shaken. American’s have been conditioned to see the immigrant as dangerous, a thug, dirty and lazy good for nothings who only want to leech off the benefits of the government. On the contrary, most immigrants move for the hope of work. Finding a job and providing for themselves or a family, the privilege of esperanza they did not have in Mexico.

Exploitation of Undocumented Workers:

Undocumented immigrants are often a prize to people looking for cheap labor. The Immigrant is often deprived of benefits from a workers union. While legally it is stated that all employed workers are entitled to a unions benefits, it becomes more selective when referring to illegal aliens. Some employers have even deprived their worker of any money for his work. And instead of paying the immigrant, they call border patrol and report him to immigration.

Working hard in the heat with little pay and unfair treatment sounds like something that was abolished a long time ago. But the sad truth is, it still happens. The land that was once Mexico’s is now being plowed and picked by Mexico’s people. While hiring illegal or undocumented workers is prohibited by law, immigration policies have allowed the employers to dodge policies and continue to hire and exploit undocumented workers. No regulations are in place for the benefit of the undocumented worker. Their salary is no where near equal and the conditions are not ideal.

So what about their rights?

Despite being an illegal immigrant, these people are human. Yet, it seems today that before anything else, they are illegal. Just because a person does not have residency means they no longer have their human rights? This dilemma also suggests that the human rights act is a privilege to American citizens, rather than an inherent right to all human beings.

Human rights should never be prefaced with “only if…” America was built through immigration. But it seems it is easier to forget that bit. I cannot reiterate enough how important it is to see a human being as just that, human; before anything else they are labeled.