Crossing the Wire

“Crossing the Wire” was an interesting read. In America, we hear “our” side of the story: illegal immigrants, laborers, dangerous crossing of the border, criminals. Never the other side of the story. The hard part is that these are also human beings who are desperate to make a better life for themselves and their families. The idea of a young boy leaving his family to cross the border and provide for them financially is just unthinkable, and yet instead of helping and providing refuge, we prosecute, criminalize, and degrade. Yes its illegal, but maybe if we made it easier to get documented then it wouldn’t be such a big deal. I am sure that it is costing us more money to patrol the borders and send people back across the border than it is to get these immigrants into the country and help them get the necessary documents and start a life for themselves. 

This book hit home, literally, as the boys ended up in Washington State. Its almost unimaginable that they travelled all the way from Mexico to Washington, and none of it was a for sure thing, they just went on their instincts and heart. Its interesting that we see many of these people as orchard workers and laborers, but it doesn’t really cross my mind as to whether or not they are here legally or illegally. I just think of them as people who work hard in the orchards to make some money. Its probably very true what was said in the book too, that we need them to work the orchards because we wouldn’t be willing to do the hard work for those wages. So why do we make things so hard?

This young boy had to fight his own country, the United States government border patrol, gangs from both sides, vigilantes, and the “coyotes” that were taking them across the difficult terrain. He braved these people, got sent back, and still succeeded. It breaks my heart that Victor’s best friend ended up going back, after all he had gone through, but it really makes the point that family is everything. These boys left on this dangerous journey for their families. Victor had no choice but to stay in America and work day in and day out to send money home to his family, Rico went home because he couldn’t put his family through the turmoil of his being away. Either situation is a hard decision to make, but nonetheless, had to be made. It also shows the strength of character and heart of the two boys, especially Victor, who was not one to take adventures or break the law. He did what he had to do to survive and make it through. 

I cannot even being to imagine what I would do in his situation. I don’t think I would have the guts to take the journey, but I would like to think that I would do all that I could to help my family.