Immigration from central America to US Essay

The USA is a good prospect for individuals seeking a fresh start with numerous opportunities. The ‘American dream’ is a common phrase popularly used to indicate the achievement of a comfortable lifestyle with numerous advantages and amenities that come as a result of hard work. This statement has been frequently used by immigrants who come to the USA in search of these opportunities in a bid to turn their lives around. Therein a perception has been created by foreigners that on arrival to the USA, they have successfully fled from the problems back home. This has led to flooding of immigrants from all over the world making the USA a multiethnic and diverse country hosting people from all over the world. However, Edgar’s mother is the one who opens the door for them and nonchalantly explains to them that Edgar had “gone up north.

” That effectively made him a hermano lejanos, which means a faraway brother. This is a term which is frequently used by El Salvadorians to refer to people who have moved away from home to head to the USA or even to the relatively easier Mexico. Agustin’s persistent threats against Ernesto led to the eventual decision by him to go to the great north and by that they would effectively become hermanos lejanos. The brother, Raul would have to follow Ernesto to the USA since they looked a lot like each other, a factor he felt would put him in great danger if he were to remain back home. The gangs predominantly deal in the drug trade and in order to assert their authority, they use increasingly violent tactics to ensure that they retain control of the region.

The violence, as we see in the book, touches all people regardless of age or gender. Families are used as leverage to ensure that people tow the line with serious consequences if the people do not modify their practices to ensure that they fall in line with the demands of the various gang members. Frequent brutal murders which are highly publicized are committed to remind people of the extent of their power and dominance and instill fear to keep them in line. Gang-related activities are not indigenous to el Salvador alone but are common in all regions around the world. With the lack of a comprehensive authoritative structure, the country was left at the mercy of criminals who eventually grouped themselves into gangs. The gangs consolidated power and ran the region as they pleased to the dismay of the government, citizens and other onlookers since there was no entity in place to try and manage the situation.

Since the gangs were very powerful back in El Salvador, Ernesto and Raul felt the only way they could be truly free was to leave the country and head to the USA. Impact of the gang menace Intimidation by the gangs leads to many consequences in the society. In the book, the author explains of the dire state of affairs in the country. Loss of life has a significant impact on the society. Not only dos it lead to loss of human capital, but the psychological impact to the family and friends of the deceased is immense. Violence not only causes death but also grievous bodily harm. Maiming is a common occurrence in ‘sending a message’ which has serious psychological, economic and emotional effects. Gangs affect all people in the society, from the young to the old.

The only people who seem to benefit however from the gang activity are the leaders. Other ranking officers tend to feed off the benefits off the bosses but as for the lower ranking members they suffer more than they benefit. The risks they take to carry our executions and transport illegal merchandise. So it is visible to see that the benefactors of gang activities are usually the ranking officers and the leaders of the gangs Possible solutions The best solution to try and control the gang menace is to first have societal order in the community. The local authority should try and employ the help of both the army and if possible external sources as the impact of gang activity is broad-spanning. The human cost may however be substantial but the rewards are great.

The eradication of gangs may lead to the development of the society around the affected areas. Businesses will be able to operate effectively and development will go back into the area. The return of amenities will improve the society as the influence of gang activity will be diminished and that will definitely lead to affected areas to reform away from the gang influence. Another alternative would be to bring rivaling gangs to the table to facilitate negotiations for the potential cease fire. The immigrant experience: The anguish of becoming American. Penguin (Non-classics).