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Viewing Guide: WETBACK: Undocumented Documentary (60 points as total)

Directions: Before viewing the film, read each question below so you know what information and ideas you should be looking for as you watch WETBACK. Record your answers to each question by providing as many facts, details, and examples as possible to answer each question.

1. According to Leonard Lopez, what is the cause of mass immigration from Latin America to the US? (5 Points)

According to Leonard Lopez, the cause of mass immigration from Latin America to the US is the lack of opportunity that people have in their own countries. The economy is failing to provide men and women with opportunities. When a country is failing to provide its citizens what they deserve, like employment and education for example, it makes people think about leaving and trying to find better opportunities elsewhere, even if it means risking their own lives, or not getting to see their families anymore. For them , having an uncertain future can be better than the current situation they are at, and that is why so many immigrants make the decision to leave their own countries.

2. According to Alex Alvarado (Honduras Border Patrol), what is a “Blind Spot” and what is it used for? (5 Points)

According to Alex Alvarado, “Blind Spot” is an unprotected area along the border. These spots are not legal entries between the two countries, and they are used for smuggling weapons, merchandise, undocumented people and many other illegal activities. So, instead of trying to cross the boarder which is very difficult, dangerous and with a lot of supervision, some people end up choosing the Blind Spots, which can be of a lower risk.

3. What kinds of risks must a Central American immigrant face when crossing Mexico? (Give 3 examples) (5 Points)

When crossing Mexico, there are so many risks and so much that can happen, but, 3 examples are :
– People cross the border without any kind of identification, so if they die, there is no way of knowing who that person was. (they are buried in unmarked graves).
– They have the risk of being robbed, beaten up, rapped, and many other kinds of abuse.
– Starvation and dehydration is also a big issue. Most of the immigrants take electrolytes and eat salt crackers in order to retain the liquid in their bodies and be able to survive.

4. In Mexico, what percentage of all abuses against immigrants are perpetrated by the police? (5 Points)

About 75% of all abuses against immigrants are perpetrated by the police. They not only get all the money those people have, but they also abuse them with words, or psychological abuse. According to Arturo Herrera, almost 80% of all immigrants are robbed in Mexico. These organized group not only rob their money, but they also rape and kill.

5. What is a “Chimba?” How is it built? (5 Points)
Chimba is a weapon that was invented by the Mara 13, it uses 12- caliber shotgun ammunition and it is built with plain water pipes welded together. On one end, it has a nail, which is what detonates the cartridge.

6. How might the US be responsible for the proliferation of the Mara gangs? (5 Points)

The Mara Salvatrucha 13 specializes in robbing and rapping immigrants. The Mexican authorities made a big mistake when considering them simple street-gangs rather than complex organizations with strategies, hierarchies and rituals of initiation. The U.S. recruited mercenaries from El Salvador to fight their war in exchange of a green card. After the war was over, they moved to LA and there, they created the gangs and repositioned them in the South.

7. The documentary tells a story from the side of immigrants. From a perspective of population geography, do you believe these illegal immigrants are essential to the economic development and labor market for the United States? Will Trump’s wall work? Why? (30 points)

When talking about the US labor market and economic development I believe immigrants do play a large role in it. Because the US is a land of opportunity, people from other countries come with the purpose of working hard, and some of them can work even harder than an American. I believe people should have a chance to have a better life, and be able to work to conquer what they want, but also, I believe every country should have regulations, otherwise it would turn into chaos. The U.S. has a lot to offer, and that is one of the main reasons why there should be laws regarding who can stay and who can’t. I believe that illegal immigrants do play a role in our economy because there are so many, but I don’t believe they are essential.
Regarding Trump’s wall, obviously it will not be able to stop immigrants from coming into the US, but it can help control and make it harder for people to come in. The wall would be an obstacle that they would have to face, of course some of them will be able to go to the other side, but it helps the police to get to them faster and kind of keep the boarder more controlled and supervised in a way.