Artifact 2

We've heard about illegal Mexican immigrants crossing into America to work for years, and the question often asked is, "why can't they just find jobs in Mexico?".  The answer is simply, "becuase there are no jobs".  This is becuase of many factors, but largely because of a rapid economic decline that really hit in later 2009.  This decline was caused because of many factors hitting the country at once.  Factor one is the United States.  The US is the main source of revenue for Mexico, and the subsequent Great Depression and Ressesion of 2008 created a huge hole in money flow between the two countries.  Also, tourists are not as phyced about Mexico for the ideal vacation spot, due to the "Swine Flu" and concerns about violence.  Tourism decline has resulted in more than 300 million dollars. To add to this, the oil industry has been hit hard.  The biggest oil field in Mexico decreased production more than 90% since 2004.  The lack of money coming in from Mexicans abroad also is affecting Mexico's economy for the worse.  Since Mexico isn't the only country having revenue problems, this means Mexicans sending money to family and friends still in the country aren't sending as much money.  Lack of production and the firing of wrokers has also lead to a decline in tax revenue, which was by far the worst hit on Mexico's economy. To add on top of it all, many people are choosing to leave Mexico and bring their money with them.

Reyna's father was one such worker.  He left Mexico to achieve his dreams in the United States when Reyna was three.  He left largely because the economy in Mexico made it near impossible to find work or to make enough money to support the family.  Mostly because of this, Reyna grew up without a father.  The economic decline in Mexico was also why the La Quinta Castrejón, where her mother worked for a time, declined in wealth and grander.  I knew that it was hard for people to make good money in Mexico, but I didn't know the root of the problem.   My assumption was that people couldn't make money because they didn't have the skills or eduation to get a job.  I was wrong.  The fact is that there is a job crises in Mexico much like the one currently wreaking havoc on the United States.  People who may be skilled may not have jobs or be able to make enough money simply because there isn't any way for them to do so.  I'm glad these hard workers get a second chance in the United States, whether or not they came here illegally.

Original Article