Tucson, Arizona Tuesday, 14 January 2003
Dream of better life overrides reason
By Maria Elena Salinas
She sets up her table, with colorful beads, flowers and rubber bands, right next to the swimming pool. The large tree helps to protect her from the stinging rays of the sun.
It also helps her clients feel more comfortable as they sit through the braiding process. It's a steamy-hot day in Acapulco, but Leticia has New York City on her mind.
Her specialty is making braids on little girls - and some not-so-little ones who dream of looking like Bo Derek in the movie "10."
The salon in this popular five-star hotel charges 150 to 300 pesos a head for braiding, roughly $15 to $30, but pays her 34 pesos a day for her work.
You got it right, $3.40, depending on the value of the peso on that particular day. We chatted as she weaved my daughters' braids - and OK, I'll admit it, mine also.
"In New York, braids are very popular and very expensive," she tells me. "I will make a lot of money there."
A single mother of two, Leticia has learned to do manicures, pedicures, haircuts, facials and massages. She also picked up some limited English skills through conversations with American tourists.
She is convinced that once she makes it to New York City, where her sister-in-law runs a beauty parlor, her financial situation will dramatically improve and, in turn, she will be able to provide a better life for her two small children.
It is virtually impossible for Leticia to qualify for a visa, but she is not the least bit worried. As a matter of fact, she is confident that her plan will work out just fine.
She will soon be heading out toward the Texas border. A coyote will be waiting to transport her across the border and on to New York, where her brother, his family and a well-paying job will be waiting for her with open arms.
I tried to warn her. My poolside conversation with Leticia went something like this:
"Do you know how dangerous it is to cross the border?"
"Yes, but crossing into Texas is easier than crossing into California."
"Do you know that coyotes can cheat you, mistreat you, take your money and dump you?"
"That will not happen to me; my brother will pay him $1,800 once he hands me over to him."
"Do you know that people like you are not welcome in the United States, that there is a lot of resentment against undocumented immigrants?"
"Yes, but I don't care."
"You will have to live in an underground world, hiding from the authorities."
"It's worth the trouble."
"You will be breaking the law."
"I have no other alternative."
"What about your children?"
"They will stay with my aunt until I can send for them."
When all else failed, I reminded her of the cold, snowy winters she would have to endure, compared with the sunny Acapulco weather she now enjoys all year round.
"I will get used to it," she answered.
Her other option, of course, is staying in Acapulco, making 34 pesos a day, living in a dingy apartment with her two kids.
She can always aspire to get the towel lady's job. She makes 48 pesos a day.
If she were a man, it might be easier. They are allowed to work directly with the tourists and complement their low wages with tips.
An estimated 1 million people cross the border illegally on a yearly basis, according to some accounts. One-third of those are caught and deported.
Last year alone, 360 undocumented immigrants died trying to cross the border. During that same period, Mexicans who reside in the United States - legal or not - sent home $10 billion.
The brave braid lady is about to become one of those statistics. One hopes she will end up on the list of those who decided to stay and were lucky enough to make a better living in their own country.
* Maria Elena Salinas is an anchor for "Noticiero Univision" and a columnist with King Features, 888 7th Ave., New York, NY 10019; e-mail: msalinas@univision.net. Salinas also maintains a Spanish-language Web site: www.mariaesalinas.com. |
