The new Americans: immigrant teens say that they should have a chance to succeed in the U.S.

Berenice Estrada Mendez, 18, says she is happy that her family came to the United States. Sort of.

"It's rough for an immigrant girl," she says, "because I speak Spanish, because of my color. That limits my chances for success in this country."

Berenice was 11 when her family made the dangerous journey across the Sonoran Desert (see "Rough Crossing."). She now lives in South Central Los Angeles with her parents and two brothers, Victor Hugo, 23, and Rufino, 14.

Each evening, Berenice rushes home from classes at the local community college to cook dinner for her father. He repairs factory machines.

Her mother works in a factory, printing T-shirts. She doesn't get home until nine o'clock each night.

"The job my mom has is not what she deserves," says Rufino, an eighth-grader at Los Angeles Academy Middle School. "And my dad is working hard every single day to survive."

With so many obstacles to face in their adopted country, why did the family risk their lives to come to the U.S.? "My family and I are fighting for a better life," says Rufino.

Valued Workers or Criminals?

Like the Estrada Mendezes, an estimated 11.5 million people live in the U.S. illegally. A growing number are from Mexico and Central America, where job opportunities are limited.

The new immigrants have sparked controversy. Are they criminals who should be sent home? Or are they a key part of the U.S. economy?

Carina Bandhauer, a sociology professor at Western Connecticut State University, says that an influx of immigrants is a good sign for a country.

"Places where immigrants go to are places with dynamic economies," she tells JS. "People aren't migrating [moving] to Haiti, for instance." (Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world.)

But polls show that a majority of Americans think that illegal immigration poses a serious problem. They say that it drains funds from education, health care, and law enforcement. They also worry about the lack of security along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.

Congress Can't Agree

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed an immigration bill that calls for a fence nearly 700 miles long to be built along the border. (See map, p. 15.) The bill would fine employers who hire undocumented workers (immigrants who enter the U.S. without official permission).

One of the bill's sponsors is Representative James Sensenbrenner (R, Wisc.). He says the bill "aims to prevent another 9/11-type attack by disrupting terrorist travel."

Many immigrants have reacted strongly to the bill. Last spring, they staged protests across the nation.

Berenice led walkouts at her high school. "It's hard," she says, "[for] immigrants to show their potential--what we can do in this country, instead of working in factories and doing the low-paying jobs."

The U.S. Senate has passed a different version of the immigration bill. It would help some undocumented workers achieve legal status. President Bush supports this idea. So far, the House and Senate have not agreed on a final bill.

Berenice and Rufino say that they will keep working for immigrant rights. "It is very important for young people to get involved in politics," says Rufino. "We [need] to know what is happening, so that in the future we can change [laws] and fight for immigrant youths just like me."

Rough Crossing

Berenice and Rufino vividly recall their journey across the Sonoran Desert [see map, p. I5]. "I remember my family running away from the Border Patrol," says Rufino. "I was trying to jump a fence, and I didn't see it. Crash! I cut my face, and I was bleeding."

The family had paid a smuggler to lead them through the desert, on foot and by car. They slept a few hours each night. "It was very, very cold," says Berenice. "There were plants, animals, snakes. It was frustrating You didn't know what to expect."

The trip took nearly a week. But, says Rufino, the struggle was worth it. "I want to [get] a good education in this country," he tells J5. "My family and I are fighting for a better life."

QUICK QUIZ 

** Decide whether each sentence is true, false, or an opinion. Write your answer on the blank line provided.

--6. Last spring, many Congress members protested against a bill proposed by immigrants.

--7. The U.S.-Mexico border needs tighter security.

--8. People are migrating to Haiti in great numbers.

--9. Americans should not hire undocumented workers.

--10. The Sonoran Desert spans the U.S.-Canada border.

ANSWERS

6. false (Immigrants protested a bill before Congress.)

7. opinion

8. false

9. opinion

10. false (spans U.S.-Mexico border)