In reply to Morgan Willis thoughts on “The Border Patrol State.” In response to "The Border Patrol State" by Leslie Marmon Silko, there were some things I could definitely side with her on, but then there were other perspectives that I disagreed with her on. I agree whole-heartedly with what Morgan says here. I believe that Silko is trying to make the point that there is biases amongst the Mexican American border but by doing so she only shows one half of the very controversial debate.
Of course, I had sympathy with her for the fact that since she is an Arizona citizen, it seems ridiculous and quite frustrating that she has to be stopped on the road, questioned about her legality, and interrogated to make her feel like some sort of criminal. Being born in Mesa, Arizona, a suburb twenty minutes east of Phoenix and as a former student of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona I completely understood how annoyed she was that even with proof of ID she was mistrusted. However, knowing the history of Arizona I was compelled to agree with the border patrol to pull her over but not in the manner they handled the case. I can only imagine how frustrated I would be to be an American citizen and be questioned of my intent or nationality when I knew true to myself that I was a legal United States citizen. It would upset me very much to be untrusted and violated by border patrol men who pursued looking in my car and searching me with a dog. I am white college student and have been pulled over by border patrol a few times. Silko describes the border patrol for pulling them over with no “just” cause. But when you are traveling at night you have to expect to be pulled over. When I was moving my belongings from Tucson to Fort Worth I was stopped on the East I-10 to El Paso and the dog sniffed the car. I was annoyed that I knew I did not have any illegal drugs but I understand that they pulled me over because the car was packed and the border has become very dangerous. I too was insulted that they wouldn’t believe that I was a college student just trying to move my belongings into another state.
On the other hand, although, being a white American citizen who was born and raised in Texas, I am very much so supportive on the border patrol process. I agree with Morgan on this point. Although I have not seen the impact of illegal migrants in Texas, Tucson culture and livlihood has changed drastically from the boder patrol process.Living so close to the Mexico border, and knowing there are many hispanic immigrants who try to enter the United States illegally with bad intentions as to be involved with drugs or cause harm or danger through crimes in my country, I definitely feel a sense of security from there being strict border patrol and feel that it is a necessary evil in order to run a successful and safe country. I disagree with this statement. As Silko states, Tucson in a hour drive from the border. Many Americans believe that all Mexican immigrants are coming to America to see drugs and increase crime in our country. While this is true this is not the complete story. Many Mexicans from Sonora are coming to America because they are being mass murdered. As Silko states “a mass migration is already under way; its roots are not simply economic. Border patrol is in place to do perform two tasks: keep druglords out of the country and make sure that people are not entering illegally. I know there are many immigrants coming into America with good intentions, but there are also many who do not have good intentions. After the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001, I feel all Americans are sketchy with immigrants of other nationalities and feel it is only fair and safe to keep strict laws on entering the country, whether it be at the airport, or on highways in states that border Mexico. As Silko states, she felt like she was going to be murdered and forgot about like in the Argentinean “Dirty War” this is an accurate comparison. I too have felt a fear that I was going to be killed, but I agree with Morgan that our sense of security has been compromised and there have been drastic measures to ensure our safety. It is the only way to be fair to everyone immigrating and the only way to be fair to Americans who just want to feel safe in their home states and not feel like dangerous people are crossing over the border care free with bad intentions. I agree with Morgan, although I can emphasize with Silko’s point that “as proud citizens, we grew up believing the freedom to travel was our inalienable right,” the point that sticks out is citizens. Border patrol is looking for people who are not citizens and if pulling people over that look conspicuous, including myself, ensure that we only have citizens in the country I have to disagree with Silko’s argument.
Of course, I had sympathy with her for the fact that since she is an Arizona citizen, it seems ridiculous and quite frustrating that she has to be stopped on the road, questioned about her legality, and interrogated to make her feel like some sort of criminal. Being born in Mesa, Arizona, a suburb twenty minutes east of Phoenix and as a former student of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona I completely understood how annoyed she was that even with proof of ID she was mistrusted. However, knowing the history of Arizona I was compelled to agree with the border patrol to pull her over but not in the manner they handled the case. I can only imagine how frustrated I would be to be an American citizen and be questioned of my intent or nationality when I knew true to myself that I was a legal United States citizen. It would upset me very much to be untrusted and violated by border patrol men who pursued looking in my car and searching me with a dog. I am white college student and have been pulled over by border patrol a few times. Silko describes the border patrol for pulling them over with no “just” cause. But when you are traveling at night you have to expect to be pulled over. When I was moving my belongings from Tucson to Fort Worth I was stopped on the East I-10 to El Paso and the dog sniffed the car. I was annoyed that I knew I did not have any illegal drugs but I understand that they pulled me over because the car was packed and the border has become very dangerous. I too was insulted that they wouldn’t believe that I was a college student just trying to move my belongings into another state.
On the other hand, although, being a white American citizen who was born and raised in Texas, I am very much so supportive on the border patrol process. I agree with Morgan on this point. Although I have not seen the impact of illegal migrants in Texas, Tucson culture and livlihood has changed drastically from the boder patrol process.Living so close to the Mexico border, and knowing there are many hispanic immigrants who try to enter the United States illegally with bad intentions as to be involved with drugs or cause harm or danger through crimes in my country, I definitely feel a sense of security from there being strict border patrol and feel that it is a necessary evil in order to run a successful and safe country. I disagree with this statement. As Silko states, Tucson in a hour drive from the border. Many Americans believe that all Mexican immigrants are coming to America to see drugs and increase crime in our country. While this is true this is not the complete story. Many Mexicans from Sonora are coming to America because they are being mass murdered. As Silko states “a mass migration is already under way; its roots are not simply economic. Border patrol is in place to do perform two tasks: keep druglords out of the country and make sure that people are not entering illegally. I know there are many immigrants coming into America with good intentions, but there are also many who do not have good intentions. After the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001, I feel all Americans are sketchy with immigrants of other nationalities and feel it is only fair and safe to keep strict laws on entering the country, whether it be at the airport, or on highways in states that border Mexico. As Silko states, she felt like she was going to be murdered and forgot about like in the Argentinean “Dirty War” this is an accurate comparison. I too have felt a fear that I was going to be killed, but I agree with Morgan that our sense of security has been compromised and there have been drastic measures to ensure our safety. It is the only way to be fair to everyone immigrating and the only way to be fair to Americans who just want to feel safe in their home states and not feel like dangerous people are crossing over the border care free with bad intentions. I agree with Morgan, although I can emphasize with Silko’s point that “as proud citizens, we grew up believing the freedom to travel was our inalienable right,” the point that sticks out is citizens. Border patrol is looking for people who are not citizens and if pulling people over that look conspicuous, including myself, ensure that we only have citizens in the country I have to disagree with Silko’s argument.
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