One story tells the tale of immigration’s tragedy

In publishing “100 Questions and Answers About Hispanics and Latinos,” we handled a lot of questions about immigration, especially across the Texas-Mexico border.

One was that many people who cross there are not from Mexico, but from Central and South America. Another was that people have many reasons for crossing. And a third was that one of the most difficult dynamics is when families try to reunite. Often, members are in hiding or unsure of how to find their way. Sometimes they are simply so young the odds seem impossible.

We have evidence of that in the April 19 New York Times story of 12-year-old Noemi Álvarez Quillay.

Manuel Chavez, associate professor of journalism. Photo by G.L. Kohuth

Manuel Chavez, associate professor of journalism. Photo by G.L. Kohuth

In the introduction to the 100 questions guide, Michigan State journalism professor Manuel Chavez wrote, “Family reunification is one of the most difficult stories of immigration. This is when adolescents and children cross into the United States to join parents or family. In some cases a parent accompanies them, but in many cases, they are alone. The deportation process for minors is complicated, since in many cases information about reaching their family members is inaccurate or incomplete.”

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