Crossers, Coyotes, and Corruption

The US-Mexican border is a battleground of political, ethical, and financial viewpoints. It is continuously the subject of heated debates and controversy. Lately, the number of deaths among illegal immigrants attempting to cross the desert in order to get into America has been on the rise. However, the ones who are to blame is not entirely set in stone. I believe that the fault lies with the Mexican government who fails to provide for their people, the smugglers who take the illegals over the border, and the immigrants themselves who take risk it all to come over to the US.
The Mexican government has been under the control of corrupt government officials and incompetent legislators for a number of years. Their government simply does not have the structure nor the leadership needed in order to provide a safe, productive nation for it's people. Most of Mexico is in extreme poverty, with families of 12 living in homes built for 2 people. You would believe that with its beautiful beaches, abundant resources, and rich culture that Mexico would be a leading power in Latin America. The sad truth is that the government is so corrupt and incapable of using those resources to their full potential that the future looks bleak for the people of Mexico. In their desperation, the people of Mexico decide to attempt the dangerous trek from wherever they are into the United States. With the lack of water and scorching heat from the desert sun, many immigrants die due to dehydration and heatstroke.
In order to increase their chances of making it through the harsh terrain into the US safely, many immigrants choose to hire a smuggler, or “coyote”, to take them safely across the border. As it turns out, most of these so called smugglers tend to be con artists looking for a quick buck. Smugglers will not hesitate to leave anyone behind who cannot continue the journey, leaving the person out in the sun to eventually die. Immigrants who find themselves sick or injured will likely be abandoned. Felicitas Martinez was one of these abandoned immigrants. When she had fallen ill, her guide abandoned her in the middle of the desert and ran off with her money. She soon died due to heatstroke and dehydration. Her family was left distraught at the news of their beloved daughters death.
In the end, it comes down to the individuals choice as to whether or not they will attempt a near suicide run through the hell that is the desert. Whether or not they feel it is their only option, or if they just want economic gain is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is they are the ones that take that journey into the belly of the beast. The Sonoran desert is one of the largest and hottest deserts in North America, a barely hospitable landscape. If they find that they are on the verge of death and will have to turn back in order to survive, many succumb to illusions of grandeur or salvation, only to continue and die shortly thereafter. It is hard to sympathize with those that would willing break the law at their own expense.
Illegal immigration (mostly from the south) is a very controversial and much talked about topic. It stands among those other grand issues such as the economy, gay marriage, etc. It is important to know the facts, and weed out the lies ones would try to tell you to sway your opinion. It is equally important to know who or what factors into the problem. The smugglers, immigrants, and Mexican government itself all equally contribute to the problem. If we as a people know the source of a problem, we can rally and stop it. This, however, is an issue that will not be solved immediately. Only through diligence, the passage of time, and the power of the people can we stop deaths on the border.