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Carla Rico Vera Huerta

English 1T

19 March 2018

Providing Asylum for Unaccompanied Minors

Our country is founded on the belief of freedom and equality for those who call this

country their home. For many years, the United States has not only been home to various ethnic

groups, but also the goal and dream for immigrants who seek refuge from their homeland. In

Luiselli’s essay, ​Tell Me How it Ends​, she highlights the hardships that many immigrants have to

go through when they flee their country and attempt to begin their new life here in the U.S.

Similarly to Luiselli’s essay, young refugee children who immigrate from their homelands in

order to escape violence, and other hardships, should be granted full asylum-provided with food,

shelter, and an opportunity to start a new life in the U.S., regardless of their backgrounds.

On the other hand, some political leaders say that unaccompanied minors should be

granted asylum as well as resources when migrating to the US. This point of view is compliant

and logical because in the book it states that ___. However, recent political leaders oppose the

required resources to sustain an immigrant population that is overwhelmingly increasing in

today’s society. Therefore, even though there is programs that support the necessities of

immigrant children, it is not a threat to society. Throughout the last decade, the problem of U.S.

immigration has been a greatly controversial topic worldwide that is greatly argued for, and

against. Laws have been passed to provide a pathway for undocumented immigrants to be

offered legal protection and shelter, which show for why Luiselli backs up her argument through
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the use of ethos as well as her personal experience to show the positive feelings that come with

being undocumented.

“Before coming to the United States, I knew what others know: that the cruelty of its

borders was only thin crust, and that on the other side a possible life was waiting. I

understood… play a part in the great theater of belonging.” (32)

The authors use of negative diction throughout this quote shows how her emotions are

relatable to those who are met with immigration policies and strict laws instead of immigrant

friendly policies. In today’s political society, many laws are passed in order to stop a large

number of immigrants from entering the United States. These laws can include the Immigration

and Nationality Act (INA).

Based on my observations about cultural trends, many times, popular ideas can elevate

and produce a false reality that foreign cultures place over their own lifestyles. On the contrary to

popular belief of luxurious lifestyles of the United States. Luiselli’s point of view of the

disappointment that many immigrants face when entering the U.S,

“No we do not find any inspiration here, but we find country that is as beautiful as it is

broken, so we are also broken, with it, and we are trying to figure out how to do

something about that.” (83)

Popular culture is portrayed by culture itself; however, if the culture is constantly

changing, shouldn’t the opinions and views of foreigners change as well? Luiselli’s depiction,

and first hand experience with immigrant children, show the similar feeling that many

immigrants share, hope. They are in pursuit of a life that allows for a stable income, a stable

home, and most importantly, an opportunity to grow economically. Due to the reality of
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lifestyles in the U.S., placed by cultural trends and spotlights, many immigrants – children, as

well as adults, risk everything in order to better their lifestyles and well as their relatives

lifestyles.

The immigrants that risk traveling the route that leads to a new lifestyle in the U.S. face

many hardships that can ultimately be life threatening. A common means for transport for many

undocumented individuals who seek the promise land, is are the freight trains that transport

goods along the Mexicali border. Lusielli describes these fears and barriers as,

“La Bestia. Some compare La Bestia to a demon, others to a kind of vacuum that sucks

distracted riders down its metal entrails. And when the train itself is not the threat, it’s the

smugglers, thieves, blackmail… There is a saying about La Bestia: Go in alive, come out

a mummy.” (67)

Luiselli’s use of, “La Bestia” – translated directly as, “the beast”, is a direct

representation of the hardships that await undocumented individuals. Furthermore, U.S.

immigration customs does not focus on the safety of illegal immigrants who are detained at the

border, but rather add to the violence by stripping detainees from their belongings and promoting

a hostile attitude toward them. Luiselli’s use of “La Bestia,” further highlights the need for a

more caring and compassionate attitude for immigrants as well as brings forward the idea of

hardships being life threatening instead of harmless for the migrating community.

Contrary to the arguments for a more hospitable reception for immigrants, and their

children, racist feelings toward members of foreign communities have developed within

conservative American homes. Cultural trends are a direct representation of how younger

generations of individuals would like their lifestyles to be. If everyone decided their lifestyle
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wasn’t as luxurious as an American based lifestyle, what would stop the entire world from

traveling to the United States? Secondly, laws have been passed for individuals who seek refuge

in the U.S.; laws such as granting visitor’s Visa, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals –

DACA, U Visa, and neutralization. These legislative accomplishments have gained momentum

in today’s society, but are ineffective when dealing with the populations of larger magnitudes –

allowing for the continuation of creation of a different situation. Additionally, added security

measures regarding border patrol have decreased the negative, conservative mindset that follows

many Americans around. In order to resolve the situation regarding undocumented illegal

children, a better, more compassionate understanding of the emotional, and physical hardships

that are experienced is in need.

In conclusion, sanctuary, food and an economic opportunity is needed to be provided to

unaccompanied minors, without putting into question their home country, ethnic group, and their

financial statement. Luiselli conveys her argument of providing refuge for children through

personal experiences, hardships that are experienced, as well as the internal structure of the U. S..

Regardless of the choices made by undocumented immigrants – migrating to a new country,

every single young adult should be given food and water. In today’s society, politics are the

group of high class people who influence the things that people think about immigrants and the

population right now. The idea of allowing tens, of thousands of foreign people in the U. S. can

be terrifying and discouraging; however, with proper legislature and compromise between those

who agree and disagree with one another can pave the road to a new, stronger country.
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Works​ ​Cited

Luiselli, Valeria. ​Tell Me How It Ends: an Essay in Forty Questions​. 4th Estate, 2017.

“Legal Resources.” ​USCIS​, www.uscis.gov/legal-resources.

Park, Haeyoun. “Children at the Border.” ​The New York Times​, The New York Times, 15

July 2014,

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/15/us/questions-about-the-border-kids.html.

Caplan-Bricker, Nora. “Under Trump, Undocumented Immigrants Who Suffer Abuse

May Face an Impossible Choice: Silence or Deportation.” ​Slate Magazine​, 19 Mar.

2017,

www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/cover_story/2017/03/u_visas_gave_a_safe

_path_to_citizenship_to_victims_of_abuse_under_trump.html.