Music to fight agains Mexican illegal immigration

by Clara G. | April 19, 2009 at 06:24 pm

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The story of US borders patrol using all they can to fight against illegal immigration at the Mexican border is not new. But broadcasting Mexican songs on local radio for free to tell how dangerous it is to cross the border is really surprising. According to Carlos Ceresol, the author of a BBC article, this music is commissioned by US border patrol, a fact that has yet not been publicized in order to reach the broader audience possible. And the trick seems to work since people react massively to the broadcasting, one of the songs being even likely nominated for an award in Mexico.

By what was even more striking in this article is the justifications given by the coordinators of this campaign. Far from admitting that the US is trying to protect their own political and social interest, those interviewed all claim that they only want to protect people’s lives by listing clearly the risks taken by immigrants who tried to reach the United States. I can’t help but asking myself how serious is this new anti-illegal immigration campaign. After failing with pure repression, US patrols now try prevention. What if they instead spend the same energy and money in actually helping the development of Mexico? A better life at home will most likely be the most convincing argument to reduce the number of illegal crossings and tragedies that come with.

They are the new secret weapon of the US Border Patrol: toe-tapping ballads with Spanish lyrics that tell of the risks of trying to cross illegally into the US from Mexico.

The songs are on a CD that has been distributed free to dozens of radio stations in northern Mexico as part of a campaign called "No more crosses on the border" - a reference both to the illegal crossings and to those who have lost their lives in the attempt.

The songs are all tragic, giving accounts of abuse, rape and death as immigrants embark on the often dangerous journey.