Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by themigrationnews
“Not many countries offer a second chance. The U.S. gave me that.” – Jorge Ramos.
Immigration is viewed as a social process that brings a sense of betterment and growth to life. However, not everything about migration is sunshine and rainbows. The documentary The Other Side of Immigration, 2009, directed by Roy Germano, covers the other side of immigration. It is based on a survey of over 700 Mexican locals, and aims to understand the minds of Mexican immigrants.It covers the hardships of the ones who risk it all for America and board “THE DEATH TRAIN,” as they face many difficulties like discrimination in the U.S., being treated like criminals, and even killings of those who cross the border.
The documentary kicks off with one of the locals sharing his first-hand experience of the hardships they faced, how the ones who go to the United States to stabilize their future are ill-treated, and how this is an outcome of their own actions. The documentary sheds light on how the United States spends a considerable sum of financial resources for the very purpose of catching and deporting immigrants who are considered a burden to the U.S. economy. To understand the nature of the Mexican immigrants, the documentary has four aspects: the rural economy, the politics, the money, and the family.
The first segment comes to the forefront as over half of the Mexican population has migrated to the U.S., all in pursuit of a livelihood and a better life. Why? To be ahead of the others, “like them.” Who are the ones with big expectations for things that hold the potential to change their lives? These individuals have crafted a fantasy world where all they see is the money they make in the U.S., which overshadows what they can make in their nation. However, below this glorified allure of wealth lies multitudes of other untold stories. The locals say they don’t even recognize their men when they return. The ones who return hold a sense of superiority and think they are more enlightened than those who stay behind. They believe that the U.S. is a place where one can shape themselves, with the government allowing them to be anything they want. A “necessary evil,” as the locals call it, migration is not a choice but a necessity because they believe a community like theirs could not survive independently. They argue that it is no longer worth toiling in Mexico, where U.S. imports dominate the market share. It kills the local market business for the locals, so leaving their homeland seems more logical.
To give Mexico another shot, the municipal government has launched programs for the locals that cover 80 percent of the start-up costs. However, these initiatives by the government face low participation. The documentary covers the reasons underpinning this issue. The lack of awareness and the prevailing corruption make the locals resist these initiatives to the extent that they prefer to take the risk of migrating to the U.S.
The deep-seated distrust between the people and the government compounds the lack of awareness. One of the courageous locals, Maria Elena, revealed the corrupt acts of the mayor and how people have to appease him and are often coerced to vote for him, or else the government program benefits will be taken away. Maria reveals how the mayor lies to the center to get the money; his heists are uncovered by Maria. Artemio, another local, lamented that their government is the most corrupt, as corruption prevails at every single level of government. He expresses his feeling that there is no sense of fraternity among their own people, which is why Mexico stands where it does now.
People trust those who migrated to the U.S. and are sending in resources more than they trust their own government due to the monetary funds they send back home. The documentary sheds light on the number of sacrifices the immigrants make to gain economic opportunities after moving to the States. When it comes to pursuing a better future for themselves and their families, immigrants know no limits. These individuals are willing to starve themselves to gain economic opportunities for a bright future for themselves and their families. We can also see that these immigrants can go to extremes for their economic advancement.
A local mother, Carolina, voiced how she never left Mexico and yet felt she had migrated since her husband and their six sons went home to work in the U.S. Both those who leave Mexico for employment and those who remain suffer. The ones in the United States face hardships, and the ones at home die in worry for the ones away from home. Carolina’s husband, Javier, tells how they have to choose the hard way and travel through a long, never-ending desert where they have to travel along with smugglers. If anything happens during the trip, no one cares to help, abandoning the person in need in the middle of nowhere. Towards the end, an old native suggests improving Mexico from where it is now, which viewers may find thought-provoking.
The documentary profoundly dives into the concept of “illegal development” roaming around Mexico. This concept of illegal development shades away the complexity of economic relationships between Mexico and the United States. It also states that most of the funds used in Mexico’s development are those that immigrants transfer back to their homes after shifting to the United States. This case highlights how immigrants’ funds contribute to Mexico and the development of their families. This shows how both the economies of the United States and Mexico are interconnected.
I liked various aspects of the documentary, as it covered a vast range of ideologies to cover the hardships of the Mexican migrants. It had a myriad of perspectives from the locals and presented reality. It did a great job explaining real stories by real people without any flamboyant production tactics or catchy music. The documentary created an eye-pleasing visual consistency by using several cameras for different angles. I liked how the documentary did not just explore the hardships suffered by the Mexican immigrants but also discussed possible solutions for the locals. The documentary is a must-watch if you want a deep insight into immigrant issues. I would recommend the movie to students and teachers. Apart from professionals and individuals in the education industry, the documentary is also an easy watch for the general public.
Aditi Tiwari is a bright person with a big smile on her face. She aspires to work hard for her growth. She is a people person and is highly approachable. She has a keen interest in writing fiction and enjoys reading as well. She does not lose her cool easily and is there to learn from experiences.