DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Ernest Rodriguez' "Impressions," 1960s-1980s | Illinois Commission on Problems of Spanish-speaking, June 5, 1970 Page 3

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Ernest Rodriguez' "Impressions," 1960s-1980s

Illinois Commission on Problems of Spanish-speaking, June 5, 1970 Page 3

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Now I want it understood that I don't condemn my brothers from Mexico for entering this country illegally in search of a better way of life for themselves and their families. 

This is a natural thing for any man to look for. 

What I condemn is their exploitation by the farmers of the Midwest and elsewhere. 

You know there's a saying among the Mexican people. 

POBRE DE MEXICO! TAN LEJOS DE DIOS --- Y TAN CERCA A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS!

Translated it means: POOR MEXICO.... SO FAR FROM GOD AND SO CLOSE TO THE UNITED STATES.

As I continue the meaning will become ever clearer to you. 

The Mexicans illegally entering this country are made to pay hard earned money, sometimes all of their savings to be smuggled into this country. 

A couple of years ago a closed truck with 40 nations was stopped in Texas. 

The driver of the truck fled and when the authorities opened the truck they found some dead and the rest had to hospitalized for heat prostration.

This is the kind of violence my friends you should be outraged about and outspoken against. 

The Federal government has been pressured to do something about this problem for years and has done little or nothing. 

I think its time that this state takes a good hard look at this problem an act upon it. 

Employers in industry before they hire anyone require a person to fill out an application putting down practically his life history. 

Why can't this state and other states in the absence of federal action require that farmers demand proper identification papers and proof of citizenship of migrant laborers they hire under penalty of law for lack of doing so.

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-3- Now I want it understood that I don't condemn my brothers from Mexico for entering this country illegally in search of a better way of life for themselves and their families. This is a natural thing for any man to look for. What I condemn is their exploitation by the farmers of the Midwest and elsewhere. You know there's a saying among the Mexican people. POBRE DE MEXICO! TAN LEJOS DE DIOS --- Y TAN CERCA A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS! Translated it means: POOR MEXICO.... SO FAR FROM GOD AND SO CLOSE TO THE UNITED STATES. As I continue the meaning will become ever clearer to you. The Mexicans illegally entering this country are made to pay hard earned money, sometimes all of their savings to be smuggled into this country. A couple of years ago a closed truck with 40 nations was stopped in Texas. The driver of the truck fled and when the authorities opened the truck they found some dead and the rest had to hospitalized for heat prostration. This is the kind of violence my friends you should be outraged about and outspoken against. The Federal government has been pressured to do something about this problem for years and has done little or nothing. I think its time that this state takes a good hard look at this problem an act upon it. Employers in industry before they hire anyone require a person to fill out an application putting down practically his life history. Why can't this state and other states in the absence of federal action require that farmers demand proper identification papers and proof of citizenship of migrant laborers they hire under penalty of law for lack of doing so.