Tortilla Curtain: Problems Hispanic immigrants are facing

In a recent study Pew Hispanic Center recorded that “there are an estimated 11.9 million undocumented immigrants in the United States” (AFP). Many of these immigrants are scared to report crimes and injuries when they are in danger, because they fear deportation. Hispanic immigrants usually come to the United States from countries where police cannot be trusted. Recently, “thieves are increasingly targeting Hispanic illegal immigrants who are reluctant to report robberies to the police,” (AFP). These robberies are usually not even reported because the Hispanics are afraid that the police will look right past the crime and focus on the fact that they are illegal immigrants. This just creates a vicious cycle. The robbers have found a way to successfully steal without any chance of being caught. These robberies usually wipe out all of the victims savings because they “are often farm workers paid in cash because they have no bank accounts due to a lack of official identification,” (AFP). This makes it very easy for the robbers to steal large sums of money, since the immigrant’s money is usually unprotected. Police departments and advocate groups are trying to inform illegal immigrants that if they report a robbery they will not face deportation. The Austin Police department has partnered with local banks to allow immigrants to open bank accounts, even if they entered the United States illegally. Therefore, the workers will be able to safely store their money away where no robber can accomplish the task of wiping out an entire life’s saving in one robbery. The problem is that even with the help of the police force and local banks, many Hispanics are still afraid of the potential repercussions of revealing their lack of legal identity. In 2008 Clearwater, Florida, “which has a large number of Mexican immigrant workers, had 55 robberies in which all victims were Hispanic males,” (APF). These victims are scared to deal with this huge problem and many immigrant lawyers, police officers, and advocate groups are afraid of it as well.

In Tortilla Curtain, by T.C Boyle, the main character ­­­­Candido deals with this same problem. While walking home from the store one day, he is hit from a car and seriously injured. ­­­­Candido suffers from a concussion, large loss of blood, many bruises, broken bones, and many scars. However, despite the large amount of pain and his possible inability to work again he will not go see a doctor. Not only will a doctor cost him a lot of money, but also he has to worry about deportation. ­­­­Candido and America illegally crossed the border and are now living in Topanga canyon. Everyday ­­­­Candido goes to work and tries to make enough money to buy food to eat. America is pregnant, which makes money even more important. Therefore, this accident is a serious problem and Candido should be trying to find medicine to heal him so he can support his family and find appropriate shelter for a child. The fear of deportation is so large that instead of going to a doctor America insists on finding work for herself. I understand how dangerous it is to expose the fact that they are illegal immigrants, however a women working in labor companies is very dangerous as well. Candido explains how dangerous it is because many of the men are desperate for women and do not have a female figure in his life. Illegal immigrants have many problems because they fear any authority. Many immigrants, like Candido and America, originally come from countries where the police can't be trusted,” (AFP). It is difficult to tell which doctor, lawyer, or cop will side with them and help them or simply turn them in for deportation. Candido and America do not have money and therefore the ability to work is what will propel their lives forward. When Candido loses his job his life is turned upside down, when the Hispanics that were robbed lose all they have worked for their lives are turned upside down as well. However, all these people do not have the ability to correct this problem. They cannot trust anyone and therefore cannot ask for help. There is also a “shortage of police patrols in Hispanic communities and a reluctance by immigration lawyers to take up cases,” (AFP). Candido along with all of the people that have been robbed have to deal with their loses without the criminals having any repercussions. This is very upsetting, however the consequence for reporting these crimes may be even more painful than dealing with the lose.

This is a serious issue and I was happy to hear that there are some advocate groups acting to help the Hispanic immigrants. However, progress is only being made in this specific situation with bank accounts. I understand that there are many groups working to help immigrants, however I believe that medically we must find a way to allow them to receive aid without serious repercussions. I know that illegal immigration is a huge problem today, but it is more important to save a life than to argue whether that life is a proper citizen of the United States.