This is a painting of a candy seller and her daughter, but their faces are a collection of many portraits.
Sometime ago, there were only a few migrants with young children wrapped around on their backs, selling candy from one New York City subway station to another. Then, the migrants arrived in thousands. Just in 2023, more than 100,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, and more to other cities. Unable to find legitimate work, migrants are struggling.
Why did they leave everything behind and crossed the southern border? Faced with undeniable danger or the fantasies of utopia hidden beneath the complicated U.S. policies and politics, migrants have risked everything and traveled the dangerous path to cross the U.S. southern border.
Today, securing the U.S. border is prioritized among other world crises. Many Americans don’t agree on securing the border. Some welcome the migrants, some don’t. Caught between these two ideas are real people who have become political pawns as the 2024 presidential election looms.
Related Reading, Links and Resources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
- Opposition to Immigration – Wikipedia
- Helpful Links for Families of English Language Learners
- Why are we so afraid of when it comes to Immigration?
- New York Immigration Coalition
- Americans are increasingly worried about immigration and national identity, poll shows
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Statistics
