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My Perspective: Immigration: A tough decision for people in a tougher situation

Usually for one to disobey the laws of another country is not the correct way to act. After all, one reasons, where would the world be without some regulations?

However, if the lives of your wife and children depended on it, I believe my God of Life and Mercy would and does understand.

No loving father or mother would willingly take leave indefinitely, without a very good reason. The horrendous decision a parent has to take in order to fulfill his responsibility to his family is difficult to imagine. Just how many fathers, mothers, youth have departed from Oratorio de Concepcion, El Salvador, is impossible to count. The number changes by the week.

The reality of El Salvador is very different today than in the 1980s. At that time most families had their two basic crops: corn and beans. With this they were able to sustain their families. Since the 12-year war ended in 1992, prices have escalated drastically. Now some families have water and telephone. With these bills plus the basics, in particular the high cost of fertilizer and seed, the poor farmer can’t even afford to plant. What can he do to feed his family? The government says this is progress—telephones, water, lovely highways, but that cannot fill an empty stomach.

The entrance of the gangs shipped back weekly from the United States since the end of the war and continuing even today (for example, 12,445 were shipped back between January and August 2007) has made the life of every citizen insecure. Violence is daily food in every area. No one knows when he or she might be killed in crossfire, revenge or error. No parent wants to have their children enter the gangs, but if there is no work, these youth are tempted and encouraged by the gang leaders to join, with the promise they will have food and protection.

A minimum salary of $5.50 a day, does not encourage the youth to apply for work in the factories because with that pay they can’t even pay for their daily food and bus fare much less help the family with their needs.

In my opinion, if El Salvador and the other Central American countries had democratic, just, honest, responsible governments who cared for all the citizens and not only the rich, it would/could be possible that the people have work, reasonable salaries, security and peaceful living without having to leave their country. But with the governments now in office with the corruption, injustice and lies, it seems nearly impossible.

Personally, I am not for, nor do I encourage or help my people leave with all the dangers they will encounter in the trip up north. But I understand the reasons for their departure and the hard decision they have to make before they leave for the long road up north.

The United States can build thousands of kilometers of wall, but if a person is desperate enough, he or she will find a way under, over, through or around that wall or another location to get in. It would be best if the United States, instead of using all that money for a wall, would sit down with the presidents of Central America and see how they can work together to develop work, have security and ensure better salaries without having their citizens leave their countries—and without the United States taking advantage of them and thinking of their own interests.

This immigration affects all of us and we would all like to see an end to the exodus. One day I can have all members of my groups present. The next weeks, some are missing. It affects all of us in some way or another. I have to say, too, that the government isn’t the only one responsible. The people themselves have to be educated to elect persons of integrity, honesty and justice with a big slant toward human rights. Otherwise there will never be a change.

Sister Antona Schedlo lives and ministers in Oratorio de Concepcion, in El Salvador.

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