Mexika Resistance
immigration
‘Wetbacks’ redux | mexmigration: History and Politics of Mexican Immigration
Representative Don Young (R-Alaska) has never struck me as a particularly smart politician and is prone to committing gaffes and making awkward “Oops” statements. Well, he’s done it again only this time the objects of his derisive rhetoric were not climate scientists, environmentalists, or liberal voters and politicians. The only difference this time was the … Continue reading
“I hate illegals” | mexmigration: History and Politics of Mexican Immigration
“I hate illegals.” That is what Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) told an 18 year-old undocumented college student who was visiting him during his office hours. Jessica Bravo, a DREAMer from Mexico, had gone to the Representative’s office to share her life experiences with the hope of persuading him to vote for comprehensive immigration reform with … Continue reading
Immigrants Prepare for Increased Threats Under “Show Me Your Papers” Enforcement
Ema Cervantes spends most of her time driving all over town to clean houses when she is not ensuring that everything is going well at the flower-shop she owns with her six children.
Are There Borders for the 99%?
“The world is not worthy of words,” wrote the Mexican poet Javier Sicilia last spring after his son, Juanelo, was murdered by asphyxiation as yet another victim of the raging drug war. “They have been suffocated from the inside / just as they suffocated you,” Sicilia concluded. Then he put down his pen and abandoned … Continue reading
Acuña on Arizona and Little White Lies | mexmigration: History and Politics of Mexican Immigration
When I was a kid there was what we used to call white lies. You distinguished them from lies that were untrue. You told white lies because you did not want to reveal a secret or hurt someone’s feelings. Children would easily get caught telling lies – we were not too good at it. However, … Continue reading
SB1070: Wait till they discriminate! | mexmigration: History and Politics of Mexican Immigration
Today U.S. federal district court judge Susan Bolton denied a request made by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona and partner organizations to block SB1070’s controversial Section 2(b), effectively paving the way for enforcement of the controversial “show me your papers provision” in a matter of days. She did, however, grant a preliminary injunction … Continue reading
Mixtec Dreams | mexmigration: History and Politics of Mexican Immigration
Three bills now making their way through Sacramento promise to dramatically improve conditions for California farmworkers, including one that requires overtime pay for shifts above eight hours. The overtime benefits bill is currently awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature. For Javier Mondar-Flores López, an indigenous Mixtec farmworker in Southern California, the bills are welcome news. A … Continue reading
Investigating Deaths of Undocumented Immigrants on the Border | Southern Poverty Law Center
The mountains near here rise as jagged and unforgiving obstacles on the horizon for immigrants and smugglers who cross the border by moonlight and make their way northward along the foothills, stopping in the cypress groves for rest. It’s a natural passage and the easiest route to travel.
ICE Union’s Lawsuit Funded & Filed by Individuals with Documented Connections to White Nationalism | IMAGINE 2050
Today, Kris Kobach, Roy Beck, head of the anti-immigrant group NumbersUSA, and ICE union leader Chris Crane announced that together they have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. It’s a shame that the suit’s plaintiff, Mr. Crane, hasn’t more diligently researched the backgrounds of those who will fund and represent him in … Continue reading
Like a cat on hot tin roof? | mexmigration: History and Politics of Mexican Immigration
I am constantly asked the question, Why do I write with so much emotion? As a historian I should be more restrained; objective while searching for the truth. When the first edition of Occupied America was published in 1972, I attended academic conferences hoping to generate discussion on the facts as I understood them and … Continue reading
