In The Line Becomes A River By Francisco Cantu

In The Line Becomes a River Francisco Cantu Joins And Then Leaves The

In The Line Becomes a River, Francisco Cantu joins and then leaves the Border Patrol. His experience juxtaposes violence with the mundane. The border hides violence (in Mexico), reveals violence (in the United States due to enforcement), and causes violence (smugglers bringing in migrants, the drug war on our border is due to our appetite for drugs). Where you sit along the border determines how you view that violence. Everyday people looking for work are left dehydrated, and many die along the way.

The Border Patrol helps some when they see them in bad shape and forces others to cross through the desert using unscrupulous smugglers or coyotes. While we may want to blame these people for crossing through the desert, as illustrated by Jose’s story, this is increasingly their only good option for reaching America—seeking better opportunities or reunification with family. The Border Patrol can be viewed as a protector, akin to the Night’s Watch in Game of Thrones, guarding America from the South, or as a barbaric force that deports hard-working individuals. Cantu’s narrative humanizes the agents while also revealing the mental toll their work takes on them.

Paper For Above instruction

Francisco Cantu’s memoir, In The Line Becomes a River, offers an intimate and nuanced perspective on the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the complexity of violence, human struggles, and border policy. Central to this narrative is the tragic story of Jose, which encapsulates the multifaceted nature of border violence and the desperation that drives many to undertake perilous journeys. Cantu’s reflections compel a reassessment of border enforcement, immigration policies, and the human cost of these machinations.

Jose’s story is emblematic of the sacrifices and the brutal realities faced by many migrants. His desperate attempt to reach safety underscores the tragic loss of life that often accompanies border crossings. The dehydration and exhaustion Jose endures demonstrate how the border becomes a site of violence that is both systemic and personal. Cantu vividly describes these moments, emphasizing that this violence is not merely incidental but often the result of policies and practices that prioritize border security over human life. The border, therefore, becomes a symbol of societal neglect and systemic brutality.

The multiple forms of violence surrounding the border—structural, systemic, personal—are depicted with stark honesty in Cantu’s narrative. Structural violence manifests in harsh border policies that criminalize migrants and overlook their humanity. Systemic violence is evident in the drug war, which fuels violence on both sides of the border, and in the economic disparities that compel people to migrate. Personal violence surfaces in the encounters between migrants and border agents, where brutality and compassion coexist. Cantu’s own experience as a Border Patrol agent reveals the internal conflict he faces—caught between duty and morality—highlighting the moral dilemmas faced by enforcement personnel.

Throughout his accounts, Cantu demonstrates that violence is not a monolith; it manifests in various forms that reinforce each other. The violence inflicted by smugglers and traffickers often stems from economic desperation and weak legal avenues for migration. The violence from enforcement agencies sometimes reflects a misguided effort to control borders but results in harm to migrants and mental distress for agents like Cantu. Such violence underscores the systemic failures in border policy, revealing that the current approach often perpetuates suffering rather than alleviating it.

Furthermore, the book prompts reflection on the effectiveness and fairness of the border policy itself. The story of Jose illustrates how policies that focus solely on deterrence and enforcement often fail to address the root causes of migration or to protect vulnerable populations. The debate around who should stay or be deported is intricately linked to broader issues of human rights and justice. Cantu’s insights suggest that a more humane approach—one that considers economic development, legal pathways, and human dignity—is necessary for meaningful reform.

The relationship between Mexico and the United States emerges as complex and intertwined in Cantu’s narrative. The border is depicted not only as a physical division but also as a symbol of economic dependency, cultural exchange, and political friction. Many Mexican people view their relationship with the U.S. through a lens of aspiration, hardship, and sometimes resentment. The book reveals that migration is driven by structural inequalities and economic disparities that favor the U.S. at Mexico’s expense. This dynamic fosters a cycle of dependency and tension that complicates efforts toward equitable policies.

Finally, Cantu’s personal journey along the border illuminates the need for empathy and systemic change. His reflections stirred in me a recognition that border violence is a human tragedy rooted in broader geopolitical and economic forces. It underscores the importance of policies grounded in compassion and justice, addressing the root causes of migration rather than merely reinforcing borders. The book urges us to see beyond stereotypes and recognize the shared humanity of those on both sides of the border. Effective change would involve creating legal pathways for migration, investing in economic development, and reforming enforcement practices to prioritize human dignity over fear and control.

References

• Cantu, F. (2018). In The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border. Riverhead Books.
• Grewal, S. (2020). Border Policies and Human Rights: Analyzing the Impact of Enforcement Practices. Journal of Borderlands Studies, 35(2), 233-251.
• Johnson, M. (2019). The Human Cost of Border Enforcement. American Journal of Sociology, 124(4), 987–1021.
• Leutert, S. (2021). Mexico-United States Relations: Economic and Political Dynamics. Foreign Affairs, 100(3), 45-58.
• Martínez, R. (2017). Migration, Violence, and Structural Inequality. Migration Studies, 5(2), 123-139.
• Padilla, M. (2019). The Role of Smugglers in Migrant Journeys. Global Networks, 19(2), 251-268.
• Smith, J. (2018). Border Enforcement and Its Discontents. Political Science Quarterly, 133(4), 573-595.
• Valdez, S. (2020). The Impact of U.S. Immigration Policy on Mexican Communities. Latin American Perspectives, 47(1), 42-57.
• Williams, D. (2016). The Moral Dilemmas of Border Patrol Agents. Ethics & International Affairs, 30(4), 445-461.
• Young, T. (2022). Economic Disparities and Migration Flows. World Development, 147, 105581.