Immigrant reflects on pre-911 America: recalls glorious days of loose border security and routine trips to Mexico
By ONANTZIN News
2011-09-10
New York, NY -- Ten years ago on Sept. 10, illegal immigrant Saul Diaz was planning a two-week trip to his native town in Colima, Mexico. He planned to visit loved ones, drink till his liver gave out, and eat carnitas for days on end. Once he had spent every single penny, Mr Diaz planned on sneaking back into the US with the birth certificate of one of his relatives -- a feat he had successfully performed many times before.
But Mr Diaz's fantasy trip, along with so many others planned by illegal immigrants pre-9/11, was never realized. Within days of the terrorist attacks ten years ago, as the US clamped down on border security, it became virtually impossible for illegal immigrants to visit their country of origin and sneak back into the US using the identity of someone else.
The alternative – pay a hefty sum to a human smuggler, known as a coyote – also stopped being a viable option, as coyotes (using the basic principles of economics) raised smuggling rates to exorbitant amounts to reflect the extra level of risk along the border.
"Before, the deluxe coyote package, which included a continental breakfast, a view of the scenery, friendly customer service, and home delivery, ran for under $1,000 dollars. " stated Mr Diaz. "Now, even the most basic coyote package costs about 4,000 dollars, comes with shitty customer service, and is likely to strand you in the middle of the Arizona desert."
As a consequence of not being able to leave the country post-9/11, Mr. Diaz says it became tougher and tougher for immigrants to live in the US. Bouts with depression and anxiety attacks, which could only be alleviated with alcohol, became the norm for the trapped Hispanics.
"I couldn't even visit my viejita," said Mr Diaz, "so I began drinking heavily, but that only makes things worse."
In one extreme case, a local gardener from Los Angeles, CA named Fermin Gonzales is said to have tried driving to Mexico during a drunken episode of anxiety, but he ran out of beer money halfway there, sobered up, and - tragically - ranked out before reaching the border in El Paso.
In another instance, a demented Honduran immigrant from Oxnard, CA grabbed a shotgun and killed all his chickens. According to sources, the chickens were a constant reminder of his village in Honduras.
"It's sad, it really is", added Mr. Diaz. "Every year, millions commemorate 9/11, but what about us? We are the forgotten victims of 9/11."
As the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks approached, Mr Diaz said he felt more miserable that he ever did. Attempts by relatives and friends to cheer him up were unsuccessful. As a precaution, Mr. Diaz's wife urged the children to leave the house, go to the backyard, find the chickens, and hide them.