"Nothing to Declare:" Photos from the Mexican Border

Having emigrated away from my home country, I have great respect for immigrants to the USA. I hope they find their dream and its worth the price.

Sent by Nathan in Holland | 9:23 AM | 2-15-2008

As a woman, mother, sister I feel the pain of these my people. I would also try to cross the desert without water or attempt to cross a swelling river. I'd go to the ends of the earth to feed my children.

Sent by Allie | 1:55 PM | 2-15-2008

I have great respect for LEGAL immigrants to the US - not those who are illegally taking our jobs, our benefits, our medical facilities. Our US citizens are paying dearly - it is NOT worth the price to the US to take care of over 12 million illegal immigrants. We're choking here...

Sent by DL Wells | 2:10 PM | 2-15-2008

it's funny, if you never been hungry enough or seen your kids hungry little faces that you would risk everything and anything to try and make things better for them, you don't understand the situation and you make comments like the one I am reading right now. Yes, the country is stretching it's resources, but I feel that we are the greatest country in the world, we can handle it, remember, this country is made of immigrants, so if your family is from x-y- or z country, then you have immigrant blood too. It's not easy leaving your family, and everything you know for a better life, most people complain about not having the right car, or the large enough house...those things are stupid compared with the things many immigrants lack.

Sent by Massy | 4:53 PM | 2-15-2008

Why do all these people want "the American Dream"? Why can't they stay home and create "the Mexican Dream"?, "the Guatemalan Dream"? ???the (Insert Country Name Here) Dream????

Also, why do they come here and demand we change to accommodate them? Why can't they stay home and demand their own governments change?

We can not, and should not accept millions of poor people simply because their own government does not want them, and they live close to the USA. There are literally Billions of people who would come to the USA if they could because of bad conditions in their home countries.....Sad, but it is NOT our responsibility to care for all of them.

Sent by Dakota | 7:29 PM | 2-15-2008

DL Wells and your ilk, one imagines you playing with your scales of morality: on the one side, human life; on the other, a piece of paper marked "Legal." May you never be victimized by the hate you inflict on others.

By the way, the slave-labor from undocumented workers fuels the life of "Legal" US citizens. On which side of your scales shall we put slavery?

Sent by A Singh | 8:45 PM | 2-15-2008

That's real true the email sent by A Singh all the work doing by undocumented workers building houses,shopping centers ,etc,etc,etc....the only benefits is The "legal"us citizens ,go and see for yourself in Florida how is working in you Roof ,constructions sites etc,in 100 degree,you never going to see "legal" people (because they working at the office with AC).
Thank's

Sent by J.houston | 3:20 PM | 2-17-2008

I am frustrated by the ignorance demonstrated over and over again by comments like this one: "those who are illegally taking our jobs, our benefits, our medical facilities"

OUR jobs? Really? Have you applied lately to scrub hospital floors on your hands and knees? What about working in sweaty, hot kitchens washing dishes for $5 an hour? No? How about changing hotel sheets and cleaning hotel toilets? Are these the jobs you've applied for but were told they were "already filled by your Mexican neighbor, sorry"? Are these really the jobs that are being taken away from you?

Now about OUR benefits... clearly you have no understanding about the majority of the Mexican culture. The first thing you should know before making an accusation like this one is that most Latinos would never accept government help like Americans do. Their sense of dignity, pride, and work ethic prevents them from doing so. Additionally, you should understand the term 'familism'. It has to do with the incredibly strong family ties Latinos share. If there is a need, the family is sought first, NOT the government. Can we say the same about Americans in general? What about the social security funds undocumented workers are generating for the United States government? Funds they will never receive a penny of? Now who's taking benefits from whom? Don't counter by saying "but they don't pay taxes". Anyone who buys groceries, fills a gas tank, eats at restaraunts, pays utility bills, goes to a movie, mails a letter, talks on a cell phone, or even smokes cigarettes, is paying taxes, yet because of undocumented status, do not benefit from the services these taxes provide. They will not call an ambulance, solicit a police officer, apply for food stamps or Medicaid, or receive the economic stimulus plan rebate that U.S. citizens will enjoy this summer.

Lastly, undocumented workers will generally avoid seeking medical care for fear of being discovered and deported. Short of a life-threatening ailment, undocumented immigrants will usually "tough it out" or find alternative (and often homeopathic) remedies. On a humanitarian note, would you not support a living human being, one that has a family, in gaining the medical attention that could save his life? Even though that very medical care will most likely result in his deportation?

Before we as Americans can make these uneducated, ignorant, and dishonest accusations, let us first seek to understand the Mexican people. Would you want this kind of treatment for yourself and your family should you ever find yourself in a similar, economic crisis?

Learn about the oppression and conditions that might drive people to come to the States. Believe me, they wouldn't if they didn't have to. For the most part, they leave family and children behind, not knowing if they'll ever be reunited again.

IF they make it across the border alive, it certainly isn't to take anything from YOU.

Sent by Ali Mae | 11:59 PM | 2-21-2008

Right on Ali! I too am an American citizen with roots of Latino heritage. What we as Americans have to remember is that we are a CIVILIZED society and as such, we must treat all human beings (legal or illegal) with dignity and respect.

Honestly, I believe that animals have more rights and sympathy than the value which has been placed on the human life of illegals.

Every man and woman is a human being and everyone deserves and is entitled to making a better life for himself/herself. Let us not forget that we are a nation of immigrants and we should band together as a human race and thirst for justice for all of mankind.

Sent by Rebecca C. | 8:56 PM | 5-14-2008