< Back | Home

Judy Ancel, Raul Murguia, Mary Lou Jarmillo and Lewis Divguid spoke about why some undocumented immigrants cross the border.

Documentary and panel tackle illegal immigration

By: Joel Bos

Posted: 2/11/08

In the 2008 Election, candidates' views on undocumented immigrants will be important for some voters trying to choose their ideal candidates.

While politicians discuss what to do about undocumented immigrants, few seem willing to consider why immigrants try to come to the United States and avoid the laws in place to keep them out.

Last Tuesday, an event sponsored by the UMKC Division of Diversity, Access and Equity showcased director Arturo Perez Torres' film "W------: The Undocumented Documentary," which chronicles the stories of undocumented immigrants and their journeys across borders from Central America to the United States.

On hand to discuss the film was a panel consisting of Judy Ancel, director of UMKC Institute for Labor Studies; Mary Lou Jarmillo, CEO of El Centro, Inc.; Raul Murguia of the Guadalupe Center and Lewis Diuguid vice president of community relations for The Kansas City Star.

The documentary is about undocumented immigrants from the perspective of the immigrants. Torres' film takes place in Nicaragua and gives a firsthand account of two men who want to change their prospects and head north to the United States. Despite the protests of their family and concerns for the dangers that lie ahead, they leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Torres interviewed the leaders of safe houses in his film, which are missions set up to help destitute travelers. Many are injured, beaten or run over by the north-bound, oil-filled trains on which they ride.

At the border between the U.S. and Mexico, the documentary follows the two men as they dodge the U.S. Border Patrol boats, put all their clothes into trash bags, tie the bags to their waists and swim through the Rio Grande. On the other side of the river wait white-armed civilians who assist the Border Patrol in arrests because the government is not doing enough.

Following the documentary, Jaramillo began the discussion by reporting the results of surveys done by El Centro.

"We find that within 30 days immigrants were able to find employment. … We need them," she said. "We need cheap labor to feed our market economy. They need work to feed their families."

Ancel was impressed with the immigrants' perseverance in getting to the United States.

"It takes a lot of courage … anyone who can run that gauntlet has got to have their stuff together," she said.

Murguia agreed with Ancel.

"The motives are stronger than the obstacles," he said. "The Border Patrol has increased and the number of people has increased. You cannot stop hunger."

Diuguid recalled the history of immigration in the United States.

"We benefit from immigrants, we always have," he said. "We are seeing history repeat itself."

When the panel was asked for a solution, Ancel suggested undocumented immigrants should be decriminalized.

"Decriminalizing is different than opening the border," she said. "Our labor law is trumped by our immigration law, which leads to near slavery. The undocumented have no way of complaining."

Jaramillo echoed this feeling, citing the situation faced by undocumented immigrants needing medical care.

"Many come to us at El Centro first when they need medical help," she said. "They trust us."

jbos@unews.com