U.S. - Mexico Border

The U.S. – Mexico border symbolizes the beginning of the immigrant child’s journey into the country. While many travel from different countries in Central America into Mexico, crossing the border marks the start of a new journey--a legal one. By crossing the border into the United States, one's legal status immediately changes to become "removable alien." Children give up their right to freedom as they are immediately held in detention centers and then interrogated and summoned to court, where a judge decides whether or not to send them back. The border is a line which, once crossed, either saves children from the danger they are fleeing or sends them back to certain harm.

Green Card

The green card symbolizes safety and security to many immigrants. The author herself feels ill at ease when her green does not arrive along with the rest...