That's My Story

I AM AN ILLEGAL ALIEN! – Published May 2004 – Western Outdoor News

I am a fugitive from the law here in Mexico. About 4 days ago, I was informed that I was an “undocumented worker” and technically I had to leave the country.

Over a year ago, I had to revise my working papers here in Baja. I’ve been here 10 years now, but due to changes in the business, we started a revision of my work visa. Let me tell you, even to hear locals tell you, Mexico has more “agencies” for every little thing and each has it’s own rules, regulations and idiosyncrasies. For instance, one agency draws up the paperwork. You have to take those papers to another agency to verify it’s correct. Someone else checks the signature. You have to turn in your supporting affidavits and things like work records, associations, degrees, etc, to someone else. Another agency tells you all the things that were wrong with the paper from the beginning. And then you start over if anything is wrong. Along the way, of course, there’s fees! Often you are told there’s a fee, but you cannot pay that fee to the agency. You have to go to the bank. You pay the money. They give you a receipt. You then wait in line again at the agency to show you paid the fee. You get a stamp.

Well, I got stamped the other day, “DENIED”! In big bright red ink. My work papers had been canceled on the grounds that “I take jobs that a Mexican could perform.” Legally, a foreigner cannot get work papers to do a job that a local would do. Hence, I could not apply to be a waiter, taxi driver, cook, panga skipper, etc. But…you see, I BRING jobs here. We EMPLOY a lot of people. We fill hotel rooms and taxi vans and keep a lot of people working.

I appealed and fortunately, it turned out to have been a clerical error. WHEW! But, technically, until the new paperwork arrived, I was an “undocumented worker.” I was an “illegal alien,” if you will, and was laughingly told I could technically be arrested. Hmmmmm….No thanks!

It made me think about all the stuff going on in the U.S. right now about immigration and work rights. Being down here in Mexico, I think I’m in a unique position. Honestly, I hardly understand all the issues and ramifications. I certainly know how many Americans feel from watching the news as well as how many legal and illegal folks living in the U.S. feel, but I figured I’d talk to some folks on the street who actually live in Mexico and know friends and family that have gone to the U.S. for work. This is by no means comprehensive but wanted to share some of the comments:

Emily Torres (22 year old hotel receptionist) – “People need to work to support themselves. I do not understand all the protests in the U.S., but I know that many of us do not like that we have to move to another country to find jobs. There was going to be a big boycott in Mexico against U.S. companies like MacDonalds and Burger King but we realized that it would only hurt Mexicans who work and own those places.”

Jorge Cota (34 year old taxi driver) – “The United States has a right to use fences. It is like my home. I do not let just anyone come and use my yard or my kitchen without permission. I have a fence so I can only let in who I want. When I have a barbecue I only let me friends come in, not the whole barrio (neighborhood)”

Luz Rojas (33 year old kitchen worker) – “I do not like that people leave our country. It means our country is not taking care of it’s own people if we cannot find work. I know I could make more money if I were like my cousins who went to Tijuana to get to the United States. Their money supports their families in Mexico who do not have enough food. They are all good people. They do not like breaking laws. I know Americans are angry. I do not like that they will say they will arrest everyone. People are only trying to eat. It is a difficult situation.”

Alfredo Gerardo (68 year old businessman) – “I understand people crossing the border. I used to live in the States and it is easier there than here (in Mexico), but our own government is stupid. Americans should be angry. I do not blame Americans. Our own government should create better jobs and lives so Mexicans do not have to be illegally working in the States. It is the fault of the Mexican government.”

AERO CALIFORNIA ALERT – I actually saw a fully dressed flight crew a few days ago and apparently test flights have been conducted between Los Angeles and La Paz, but the airline now says no flights until June 6.

BANDANA ALERT – I don’t often get to see the column because I’m down here in Baja, but was FAX’d copies of the letter from the gent who said I looked like a “gangbanger” because of the do-rag bandana I wear. No offense taken. Not the first person who didn’t like the way I looked. I have no delusions that I’m short, brown and look goofy. Even mom said so. I spend 10 hours a day in the Baja sun. Unfortunately, I grew through my haircut a few years ago and to me, the bandana is light. It’s cool. I can wear it under my straw hat. I can wet it to keep me cooler and frankly, I’ve had a run with skin cancer already. You should try it…the do-rag, not the skin cancer! It’s a necessity, not a fashion statement.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

Jonathan