What Pushes People to Migrate to Another Country by La Bestia Trains - Research Paper Example

 Le Bestia Train Introduction Migrants are people who travel from one country to another for purposes such as seeking employment or running from harsh weather conditions. Migration is the process of moving from one place to another; it can involve moving from one country to another or moving in from one place to another in the same country. Many people have been culprits to migration. America among other countries across the world has hosted many migrants from all over the globe. Factors that attract migrants to America are employment opportunities, availability of resources and labor. Many people are using different ways of settling in America. People from Mexico and Guatemalan migrate from their countries to America due to factors such as lack of employment and hot weather condition. Other factors that have forced people out of the countries are insecurity and adventure. Apparently, most of the migrants from the two countries are poor and lack enough money to transport them to areas that will favor them. The migrants, therefore, decide to use the le bestia trains. Many people have come into the use of le bestia trains since they pose many risks to those who use it. The migrants take advantage of the train and use it to travel to America. Conversely, the purpose of the trains is transporting goods from Arriaga that is 1400 miles away from U.S (Nazario, 2013). The trains, therefore are not meant for carrying passengers. What the migrants do is wait for the trains on the railways near their areas and jump on it. Many of them sit on top of the trains when they board. The American, Mexican and Guatemalan government, have come against the use of the trains since many people have died or lost their limbs when jumping on and off the train. According to report, hundred thousands of passengers have lost their lives as they try to use the trains. This paper will attempt to explain the push factors that force migrants to use the trains. The paper will also attempt to explain the risk that migrants might face. Finally, the paper will focus on the ways government in America, Mexico, and Guatemala might use to reduce or stop migrants from using the trains Reason that migrants use Le Bastia Poverty is the one of the main factors that force migrants to use the trains. Most areas in the countries are underdeveloped since there are no resources that attract development. Most people in the countries seek refuge from developed countries neighboring them (Rose, 2012). The situation puts the people in a condition where they cannot provide themselves since there is nothing to sustain their lives in the areas. Most of them decide to migrate from their home grounds permanently (Scribner, & Appleby, 2013). Therefore, they decide using the freight trains as a means of transport to America where they can find comfort and availability of resources that will sustain their lives. It is here in America that the people start their lives by engaging in business activities or start their business firms. However, before, they permanently settle in America they must have a legal document that prove that they are Americans. Most of them use fake identities and documents. The number of migrants using the train increased after President Obama legalized immigration. Scholars have defined immigration as the movement of people from their home country and settling in another country. Apparently, the impacts of immigration, as stated by scholars, will depend on reasons forcing the individuals to relocate. Unfortunately, the countries of refuge face increased challenges when the immigrants settle (Eche, 2013). The crucial challenge affecting the refuge country is increased number of illegal immigrants. United States, among other countries in the world, has experienced large number of immigrants both legally and illegally settling in the country. The availability of pull factors has attracted almost 10 million immigrants to America. America is currently experiencing 700,000 immigrants yearly most of them using the train to reach the country. Most parts of northern Mexico have a high temperature that makes it unfavorable for practicing agriculture. The conditions are harsh such that few people live there. Lack of suitable weather and soil for practicing agriculture lives the lands bear and vulnerable to wind pollution. The few people living there experience high temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at the night (Abram, 1982). They are also subject to sandstorms and wild animals that find the hot condition suitable. The Mexicans, therefore, migrate from the areas in order to escape the harsh condition. The fact that the freight trains pass through the migrant’s residential area acts as a pull factor for using the train as a means of escaping the harsh conditions. The trains also lead to a specific destination that the migrants to intended to reach. Despite, the people living in the harsh environment, they have not given up on life. According to an interview conducted to one migrant, most migrants are ready to risk anything to find refuge and any job opportunity unavailable in their home countries. For this reason, most of them illegally board the train with an aim of reaching America to at least attain any job among opportunities available in the country and improve their living conditions (Scribner, & Appleby, 2013). Their countries do not have areas where they can work; most areas, where opportunities are available, are far away that the migrants cannot walk on a daily basis. Moreover, the job opportunities in those areas are few such that they cannot accommodate the migrants and people located in the employment areas. The interviewee explained that some migrants are parents whom their families depended on. For this reason, their parents have to seek for an employment opportunity that would help them cater for their family expenses (Rose, 2012). Parents and youth seeking employment have no option but use the le Bastia train in migrating to areas where they can find employment opportunities. There are many cases, where a whole family including children would use trains to migrate. Apparently, other people see the le Bastia train as an employment opportunity. Such people take advantage of the migrant’s desperation and ask for payment for every migrant who uses the trains. Moreover, they rob migrants that are new to using the train (Leonard, & Sollund, 2012). Other robbers rape women or coerce them and ask for sexual favors with a promise to protect them. Such people support migration using the trains. For this reason, they act as factors that pull factors to the increasing number of migrants. Some migrants have a different mission compared to those running from high temperatures and those looking for employment opportunities in America. Most of these people have the zeal to get an education and make their home grounds better. Due to lack of facilities and infrastructure that may serve their needs, they decide to use le bastia train to take them to America where they can enroll in education programs (Scribner, & Appleby, 2013). They use the train because they do not have enough money that can take them to schools in Mexico or schools in their area. The trains are. Therefore, the only means that they can use to quench their thirsts for education. Other migrants, for instance, youth, use the train for adventure and fun. They have the zeal to explore the world and the only means that they can explore the world is using the train to reach America where they can first explore the country and use resources to explore the world. The migrants could have used resources in Mexico but they are far away such that they have to walk long distances to reach areas where they can locate buses and vehicle to take them to places where they desire (Barkan, 2013). For this reason, the train is the only alternative they can use instead of walking long distances. Risks posed when migrants use the le bestia train. Using the trains has led to the death of many migrants. Both the government of America and Mexico has decided to illegalize using the train as a means of transporting passengers. In addition, the trains have a duty of carrying goods (Runyan, 2013). The migrants are, therefore, aware that using the trains is illegal. The government has put punishment for those using the train illegally. . Migrants using the train will serve some time in jail in either America or Mexico. In addition, both governments will restrict the migrants from leaving their home country. Restricting the migrants from moving from their country implies that they cannot have the nationality of other countries for some time (Barkan, 2013). Conversely, many migrants have not adhered to the laws set by the government. Most of them continue using the trains due to the push factors that constantly exists in their areas of residence. Chances of not reaching their destination are high. In addition, chances of jumping on and off the train successfully are low. Many migrants have died as the try to jump off and on the train. The migrants wait for the trains if it passes near their residential area. When the train arrives, they chase it and jump on it. Those who successfully board it stay on of the cargos. Unfortunately, it is not guaranteed that one will board the train successfully (Hagan, 2008). There are those who miss the train, and fall to the train tires, which then steps on them and immediately kill them. Among those who fall as they struggle to jump on the train, break their limbs. Despite, the risk posed when using the trains, the migrants still use it. Those who have successfully boarded the train do not have a guarantee that they will reach their destination. Some of them fall from the trains and die instantly or break their limbs permanently (Leonard, & Sollund, 2012). There are those who die or also break their limbs when they jump off the trains. Migrants should, therefore, stop using the trains and use other means of transport that the government should develop. Using the trains is almost the same as using the normal vehicle for transportation. When people travel using buses and cubs, there might experience an attack for robberies and thieve. The same case happens to migrants using le bestia trains. Robberies also wait for train the same way the migrants wait for it, they jump on it and rob property the migrants carry. However, other migrants act as bodyguards and protect them from robberies. However, the protection is not free. The migrants have to pay the bodyguards even if robbers do not take action to the migrants. There are cases, where some migrants cannot afford amount demanded by the bodyguards. The bodyguards angrily throw the passengers off the moving train. Women who use the train fall victims to robbers and bodyguards. Robber rape women especially if they do not have anything to offer the robbers (Zola, & Pearson, 1999). Bodyguards also rape women who do not have the money to pay their service. The bodyguards also coerce women for sexual favors promising to protect them. Methods of stopping migrants from using le bestia In order to stop the migrants from jumping on the la bestia freight trains, the Mexican, Guatemalan, and American government should come up with some with policies such as, creating awareness of the dangers of using the la bestial train, increasing the train substations in the area,. The governments can also implement of tough laws, include other means of transport services, increase employment opportunities for migrants and increase security in the areas that the la bestia train passes through. These ways can help stop the migrants from using the freight trains. Creating awareness of the dangers of using la bestia train is one of the prevention methods the Mexican, Guatemalan and American governments can use to stop migrants from using the trains. Creating of awareness is informing the citizens about the problems they encounter when using freight trains. The problems that the government might address are rape cases robbery and high risks of dying. They should use ways that can easily reach the migrants and citizens of the respective states (Zola, & Pearson, 1999). The governments should use the train drivers to warn the migrants and tell them the dangers of using the freight trains, they ought to let the drivers be accountable to their trains, hence will not let the migrants board their trains. They should also put posters on the trains to warn the migrants. These posters also ought to be put in train stations and the social amenities of the states: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and USA. The governments can also unite and put officials in towns to spread the message to the citizens of the respective countries on the dangers of using the la bestia trains. They can use the authority, local and religious leaders to warn the people of the dangers of using the train (Heidbrink, 2014). The leaders could be of assistance to stop the migrants from using the freight trains as a means of transport. Increasing train substations in the areas that the la bestia trains pass through is another measure the government can take to stop the migrants from using the freight trains. Frequent monitoring of the la bestia trains will reduce the number of migrants using the train for transport purposes (Runyan, 2013). Many substations will allow the workers in the trains to monitor and keep migrants away from the freight trains. This will reduce the number of migrants using the la bestia train at a high rate. The implementation of tough laws by the respective nations that the train passes through also is a way of stopping migrants from using the la bestia trains (Hagan, 2008). The governments should put on laws for anyone caught in the la bestia freight trains, which include huge fines, a long jail term, and denial of American citizens. Most migrants cannot risk jail time hence making this kind of laws efficient for the governments. The governments of Guatemala, Mexico, and America, can also include other means of transport for the migrants. Other means of transport can include passenger trains, buses, and taxis. Passenger trains can help the migrants travel to and forth the respective states. Moreover, it could reduce the death of migrants trying to use the la bestia trains (Heidbrink, 2014). The other means of transport will also reduce significantly the rates of robberies and increase security in areas near railways. The respective governments can also provide employment opportunities for the migrants. Most migrants use the la bestia train to move from one state to another in search of casual jobs to take care of their families. The governments of Guatemala, Mexico, and America, could provide employment opportunities to the people to reduce the usage of la bestia freight trains (Zola, & Pearson, 1999). This will in turn improve the living standards of the people in the respective countries. In addition, reduce cases of robberies and other violence like rape. Employment opportunities will help the migrants to settle in one of the respective states and acquire better living standards hence improve the economic stability of the nations. It will also keep up a peace between the nations. The governments of Guatemala, Mexico, and America, should increase security in the areas that the la bestia freight train passes through. The migrants would have a hard time getting on the train due to security personnel ensuring none of them boards the train. The robberies and rape cases and murders in the la besia will reduce due to increased security in freight trains. Moreover the good being transported will be safe due to increased security personnel The Mexican government also ought to develop their country. Political and economic stability will make the Mexicans invest in their country hence stop boarding the la bestia freight trains to America in search of employment (Rose, 2012). Moreover, it will improve the economy of Mexico. This will reduce the number of migrants boarding the la bestia freight train at a positively high rate. Developing of Mexico ought to be in terms of infrastructure and social amenities. Conclusion As seen, using the le Bastia train can be linked to a suicide mission. Nevertheless, migrants are still using the trains up to date. Many of them still use it due to ignorance. However, the main factors that force the people to use the trains are the push factors that are available in the migrant’s residence. Government from Mexico and America should implement strategies that will help in reducing or stopping migrants from using the trains. Reference Abram, D. (1982). Corsica. London: Rough Guides. Nazario, S. (2013). Enrique's Journey: The true story of a boy determined to reunite with his mother. New York: Delacorte Press. Runyan, A. S. (2013). Feminist (im)mobilities in fortress(ing) North America: Rights, citizenships, and identities in transnational perspective. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate. Rose, A. (2012). Showdown in the Sonoran Desert: Religion, law, and the immigration controversy. New York: Oxford University Press. Heidbrink, L. (2014). Migrant youth, transnational families, and the state: Care and contested interests. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Eche, D. M. (2013). Land Degradation, Small-Scale Farms' Development, and Migratory Flows in Chiapas: Case Study: Tapachula. Kassel, Hess: Kassel University Press. Leonard, L., & Sollund, R. A. (2012). Transnational migration, gender, and rights. Bingley, U.K: Emerald. Barkan, E. R. (2013). Immigrants in American history: Arrival, adaptation, and integration. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. Scribner, T., & Appleby, J. K. (2013). On Strangers no longer: Perspectives on the historic U.S.-Mexican Catholic bishops' pastoral letter on migration. Hagan, J. M. (2008). Migration miracle: Faith, hope, and meaning on the undocumented journey. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. Zola, E., & Pearson, R. (1999). La bête humaine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Rose, A. (2012). Showdown in the Sonoran Desert: Religion, law, and the immigration controversy. New York: Oxford University Press Read More