While reading through the Shipler writings, the idea that struck me as the most interesting was that when immigrants travel over the border they are essentially becoming part of America, not an American (pg. 91). This is interesting me because I had never thought of them being placed into the system in a way which so closely resembles slavery. I was surprised while learning how these immigrants become trapped within the labor systems of our American society, and how poorly they are treated in the process. There is an unseen issue in this country that is dismissed simply because of there being little for the immigrants to do in terms of standing against these forms of oppression. It is typical that situations occur where immigrants are misled into thinking they will be living in a life of plenty by moving to the land of opportunity. The descriptions of the living quarters for these immigrants are horrid, worse than the prison cells we use today. Their barracks or small homes used by many immigrants at a time, are practically stripped bare after the seasonal work is finished, forcing the immigrants to …show more content…
Take for example the woman in our in class video who had her children around her on her front porch. As soon as one of her children was old enough to physically work, they would start working in the fields like the rest of their family and from that point forward they are giving up what chances they may have had to pursue an education alongside other more privileged children in the country, but they have no choice in the matter because they must work so they can eat and survive. With teachers in the third world areas of Mexico such as Cambodia only making $15-$25 a month, it only goes further to show that a quality education is not being made available to these children as their society can hardly afford to pay for