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Introduction
On May 23, 2021, Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his two-year-old daughter Valeria drowned while attempting to cross the Rio Grande. They were among thousands of migrants trying to reach the United States in search of a better life. The tragic incident drew worldwide attention and renewed calls for comprehensive immigration reform. But what led Oscar to take such a risky journey in the first place? Why did he deport himself from his home country?
Background
Oscar was from El Salvador, a small, densely populated country in Central America plagued by poverty, violence, and corruption. According to the World Bank, about one-third of the population lived below the poverty line in 2020, with high rates of inequality, unemployment, and informal employment. Moreover, El Salvador was one of the most violent countries in the world, with high levels of homicide, extortion, and gang activity. Many Salvadorans felt they had no choice but to flee their homeland for safety and opportunities elsewhere.
Reasons for Migration
There were various reasons why Oscar decided to leave El Salvador and migrate to the United States. Some of the factors were personal, such as his desire to provide a better life for his family. According to his family, Oscar worked hard as a cook, construction worker, and carnival clown, but still struggled to make ends meet. He also faced threats from local gangs who demanded extortion money and threatened to kill him and his family if he did not comply. Oscar reportedly tried to report the extortion to the police, but they were either too corrupt or too powerless to help him.
Other factors that pushed Oscar to migrate were structural, such as the lack of job opportunities and public services in El Salvador. The country had a history of political instability and economic crises, which led to high levels of debt, inflation, and unemployment. In recent years, El Salvador had also suffered from extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes, which devastated crops, infrastructure, and livelihoods. These challenges made it difficult for many Salvadorans to sustain their basic needs and aspirations.
Finally, there were also pull factors that attracted Oscar and other migrants to the United States. These included the promise of better-paying jobs, higher living standards, and education, as well as the possibility of reunifying with family members who had already migrated. Moreover, the United States had a long history of welcoming immigrants and providing them with legal protections and assistance. However, the process of obtaining a visa, asylum, or other forms of legal status could be long, complicated, and uncertain, especially for people like Oscar who faced multiple barriers and risks.
Deportation
Despite the challenges and risks, Oscar decided to leave El Salvador and travel to the United States without legal documents or permission. He hoped to apply for asylum or other forms of protection upon arrival. However, his journey was cut short when he and his daughter drowned in the Rio Grande. This was not the first time Oscar had tried to cross the border illegally. In 2018, he was deported from the United States after being caught by Border Patrol agents near El Paso, Texas. He was detained and sent back to El Salvador without his family. The reason for his deportation was not clear.
Some reports suggested that he had been arrested for drunk driving, a common offense among undocumented immigrants who lack access to public transportation or other means of travel. Others speculated that he had been deported because he had violated his immigration status or committed a crime. However, there was no evidence to support these claims. The reality is that many migrants like Oscar, who lack legal status, face arbitrary or unjustified deportation, detention, or deportation.
Policy Implications
The case of Oscar and his daughter illustrates the complex and urgent challenges of migration, displacement, and protection in the 21st century. It raises important questions about the role of states, international organizations, and civil society in addressing the root causes of migration, promoting human rights, and ensuring access to legal and safe channels of migration for all. It also highlights the need for more comprehensive and evidence-based policy frameworks that balance security, development, and human rights concerns.
Some of the policy implications of the case are:
- Strengthening regional cooperation and dialogue to address the root causes of migration and displacement, including poverty, violence, and environmental degradation. This requires sustained and adequate investments in social, economic, and environmental development, as well as peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
- Enhancing legal and safe channels of migration that meet the needs and aspirations of migrants, including family reunification, employment opportunities, education, and humanitarian protection. This requires the reform and expansion of visa programs, asylum systems, and other mechanisms that allow migrants to migrate in a regular and dignified way.
- Abolishing inhumane and discriminatory practices of immigration enforcement, including arbitrary detention, deportation, and family separation. This requires the adoption and implementation of humane and rights-based approaches to migration governance, as well as the protection of the rights and dignity of all migrants, regardless of their status or nationality.
Conclusion
The case of Oscar and his daughter reminds us of the human and moral costs of migration and displacement, as well as the urgency of addressing their root causes and consequences. It calls for collective and collaborative efforts to promote human rights, social justice, and sustainable development, both within and across borders. It also challenges us to overcome our biases and fears and to recognize the diversity and richness of human experiences and aspirations that drive migration and human mobility.
