The plan is pretty consistent during many conversations with men wanting to go to the US: Pay a Coyote Q40,000 ($5,000). Arrive in the States. Immediately find a job. Stay for 10 years during which time you have built yourself a house, bought a bunch of land, put your kids through school and of course, paid back all the family members that loaned you the Q40,000. After you've made enough you turn yourself in and get a free plane ticket to come home and live the rest of your days as a retired rich guy.
10 years is a long time for a man to be by himself. During one medical clinic a mother brought her 10 year old son. His problem was accidental BMs during class at school. He wouldn't even realize it until his "friends" started making fun of him once they smelled it. The doctors immediately thought it was a psychological problem and asked when it started. "Right after his dad called and told him he had a new family in the States and wouldn't be coming home." Men who go to the States leave behind children who grow up without the benefit of a father figure. Their sons grow up spoiled and their daughters grow up to be sluts. Their wives many times have more kids. If the guy actually does return after becoming accustomed to things like reliable plumbing and electricity, not to mention fast food, they come back to a family that doesn't even know who they are. The entire family structure here is breaking down.
San Benito, Petén is the second most violent city in Guatemala (number one is solidly Guatemala City). The reason is the high percentage of men in the States. Their kids don't have to get jobs like other teens their age, so they have lots of free time on their hands (even if a teen goes to school, it is only in session from 1pm-5:30pm). They have money because of their fathers (so they buy guns which are cheaper than video games). They form gangs of gun wielding vandals who shoot Tuk Tuk drivers for fun and steal motorcycles for joy rides. I know this for a fact here in Petén and would be interested to know the profile of a gang member in Guate City.
In the department of San Marcos there is a town called San Martin Chili Verde. In 5 years land prices increased 100 times. The reason was that a number of the men went to the States together. Once they got jobs there was a rush to see who could buy the most land. It destroyed the fair market value for land. The men that stayed (and did not break the law or abandon their families) cannot afford to buy land because their job doesn't pay them enough.
We live currently in the town of El Chal. El Chal is a dirty, horrible little town full of ignorant people and the only place in all of Guatemala where nobody waves at anybody else. The majority of the men here are either in the States or worked for the narcos. The only claim to fame here is a water park built buy the narco family and the highway runs straight through the middle of town about 40 minutes from Flores. A 50m x 50m sized piece of land here without electricity, water or title costs Q100,000.
The town of San Francisco is 12 minutes from Flores. It is a beautiful, well kept town populated by the doctors, lawyers, engineers and school teachers who work in the Flores/Santa Elena/San Benito area, but wanted to get away from the violence. The new mayor is a medical doctor. Without the vast inflation caused by immigrants, land is actually affordable. A 50m x 50m piece of land, here with electricity, water and title costs between Q35,000-Q50,000.
By allowing illegal immigration to continue, the US is destroying any chance Guatemala has of improving itself. By removing male influence, separating families, increasing violence and gross inflation, Guatemala is destroying yet another generation and raising the next one in an environment where the only option they are presented with is to leave.
thats very true. My story is different. I was brought to the states as a child in 85 during the civil war. My pops had 3 successfull businesses in Guatemala but could no longer get product for his businesses so brought us to the states. Ive only set foot in my land twice in my lifetime last time was in 1990. I have anger towards the U.S it has kept me from never getting to know neither of my grandparents and never will for they passed. But my anger never got the best of me ive Used it to read all the dirty manipulative ways and crimes of this country and the reasons why most latin countrys are the way they are because of U.S Imperialism and Capitialism. The only real connection i have with my culture is thru my family and internet pictures. Those kids have a fascination that money grows on trees here trust me it doesnt they will come to find out that the American dream is an illusion of exploitation and taxation all money goes towards rent and bills if only they knew that freedom isnt red white and blue. As for me i will be moving back to Guatemala to get intouch with my roots next year and filling inn a lost chapter in my life that has left deep hurt and curiosity thru out these years. And no im not anti-American i got love for this country and the city of Los Angeles theres alot of culture and good people here. Now that i really think about it im more American the Guatemalan not by choice. Do u know what it feels like to feel like your never part of something of wanting to participate in voting or getting involved in certain things but not permitted to because of legal status do u know what its like to get invited to places were your not permited to go because of fear of getting stopped and deported. I do. I could never jump into a car peacfully and drive by myself or with friends of fear of getting stopped or being paranoid. I guess im lucky right some kids would of used this anger for destruction or in jail, but i wont experience real freedom until i deport myself out voluntarally and leave close friends who i may never see again until my feet touch down in Guatemala for the 3rd time in 24 years
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