Nogales Sonora Mexico Trip

Wednesday morning February 22, 2006 as I, an ASU West student taking a migrations class, descended into the Nogales Valley.  What an awestruck sight identifying the distinct border, and which side bore the colors of red white and blue, and which bore the colors of red white and green.  It was evident that red white and blue symbolized freedom and monetary prosperity as opposed to red, white and green which to many symbolizes suppression and poverty.  From this one day trip to Nogales Mexico, I hope to be able to narrate a few experiences that were touching.

  Maria Guadalupe Torres, the author of “We are not machines: Corporations that bring jobs must bring justice too” called my attention to many of the same  issues and concerns that did a gentleman named Kiko Trujillo, who shared his personal experiences.  Kiko Trujillo started his working career out in a Nogales maquila earning a measly wage of a few dollars a day.  Kiko was always a hard worker, and after time found himself as a supervisor, and later the plant manager.  Kiko, just like Maria Torres, found himself constantly fighting for the rights of the maquila workers.  After time, Kiko became fed up with the disconcern of the corporations who owned the maquila’s and eventually quit.  Kiko then started a job working for the Nogales Chamber of commerce, striving still to improve workers rights.  Both Kiko and Maria Torres have dedicated their entire lives to the education of simple things that we as Americans take for granite; human rights.  Maria told of her successes as she facilitated in improving the ventilation and breathing conditions of a factory she worked in.  Kiko likewise told a few stories about he helped improve the salaries of the maquila he managed.  Through hearing Kiko, and reading the article by Torres, I was better able to understand the true importance of education on issues as simple but vital as human rights.

            

The article “Arizona Ranchers Hunt Mexicans” by Jose Palafax, brings up both valid concerns and accompanied by a few unrealistic ideas.  After completing the market survey in the grocery store, and returning to the Border Links monastery, it was clear to see why there is and has been a consistent migration out of the Mexican border lands.  When the numbers were crunched, and 1 diaper costed over $2, it became real to me the minimal amount of purchasing power an average Mexican working in Mexico actually possesses.  One full day of work in a Nogales maquila would only purchase 2 diapers; no food, no water, no electricity, and not even a fraction of the monthly rent.     It is very understood that the migrants crossing the desert leave messes consisting of empty water bottles, torn bloody clothing, used toilet paper and many other things, but is it fair, just or even humane for them to be held at gunpoint for their flee in search of a better life.  It is also understood that the ranchers in the southern Arizona desert have worked very hard for small returns raising livestock and that the Mexican migrants are disrupting their business.  But what is the solution? Will migration ever cease? Will effective border policy ever be put into place.  In answer to the questions just asked,  one phrase in the article “Arizona Ranchers Hunt Mexicans” attempts to answer, “all this (referring to the ranchers aggressive efforts) will only end up demonstrating that the migrant’s determination to seek a better life is stronger that and fence and/or policy that the U.S. Government implements.  The will and drive for a better life is demonstrated every night as the Border Patrol offices are filled with between 1000 and 1500 wishful migrants which are repatriated, and   released back into Mexico just to regain a little energy and try it again the next day.  How real this whole immigration issue became to me after completing the purchasing power exercise, and visiting the borderlands. 

In conclusion, by no means am I trying to say that all Mexicans have the burning desire to come to the United States and start a new life, because we ate lunch with an impoverished family that was perfectly content with their life in their little colonia.  They were proud to be Mexican, and proud to have earned all that they had. On the other hand, as we crossed back into the U.S that night, I know that many Mexicans were hiking hard through the Sonoran desert in hope of a better life.

Author: Jack Black