Blog Post #5
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” (Cantu, 2019, pg.27)
In his memoir “The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border,” Francisco Cantu offers a unique look at the U.S.-Mexican border, migration, and the tensions between local and national levels. Drawing from his experience as a Border Patrol agent, Cantu provides insights into the culture, challenges, and moral dilemmas those enforcing border policies face. By shedding light on the human side of law enforcement along the border, Cantu invites empathy from readers and a deeper understanding of the complexities at play.
“I don’t know if the border is a place for me to understand myself, but I know there’s something I can’t look away from here. Maybe it’s the desert, the closeness of life and death, or the tension between the two cultures we carry inside us. Whatever it is, I’ll never understand it unless I’m close to it.” (Cantu, 2019, pg. 23)
In his interactions with migrants, Cantu puts a human face on the often dehumanizing narrative of migration. Through sharing the stories of individuals and families risking everything to cross the border for a better life, he sheds light on their struggles, hopes, and the injustices they endure. Cantu also delves into the complexities of border dynamics, depicting how policies and practices impact migrants and the communities along the border. He explores the effects of border militarization, surveillance technologies, and immigration enforcement on people’s lives on both sides. By vividly portraying the repercussions of these policies, Cantu aims to evoke concern and awareness in his readers.
Furthermore, Cantu examines the tensions between local and national interests in the borderlands, where federal immigration policies often clash with border communities' social and economic realities. He shows how enforcement measures at the national level can disrupt local economies, strain community relationships, and worsen existing inequalities. This exposes the gap between centralized policymaking and the experience of those most affected by border policies.
“Border Patrol probably imagine an agency full of white racists out to kill and deport Mexicans. But that’s not me; those aren’t the kind of people I see at the academy. Nearly half my classmates are Hispanic- some of them grew up speaking Spanish, some grew up right on the border.” (Cantu, 2019, pg.24)
