Crossing the Wire

                After reading Crossing the Wire, I gained a new understanding of what people go through when attempting to get into the United States. It was very interesting reading and understanding why people would attempt to get into the United States. Never before had I really thought about the possibility of people needing to help their families and the hardships faced when attempting to gain that help from within the Unites States borders.

                Never before had I thought about the struggles and hardships that are faced when attempting to enter the United States. Once meeting Victor within our story I was shocked to hear everything that he dealt with. Having to deal with the elements such as extreme heat and the cold would be enough to stop most people, but Victor had larger goals and it was good to see the other side of a hotly debated topic. Throughout this story I sided with Victor and his cause because while this may be a controversial topic, enduring all of these hardships for your family is something that had to be done, especially in Victor’s case.

                While Victor is attempting to get into the United States for a good cause, I could not help but wonder if many immigrants even if illegal attempting to get into the United States are in a similar situation to Victor. I constantly thought about and felt bad for all of the immigrants that can not get into America and in turn cannot help out their families. By reading Crossing the Wire, I feel like I finally started looking at the other side of this controversial topic. Reading this story took me back to the days when I worked in an orchard in my local town and there were workers who all they could do is go orchard to orchard in attempt to feed their families. Reading this book gave me a totally different feeling when looking back at what I experienced at a younger age. When looking back I could not help but think how naïve I was about immigration and how not all people are only thinking of themselves when entering the United States.

                Another issue within this book that I found interesting was that once Victor was in the United States he did not immediately make money and find a way to help his family. This made me think about how it is not guaranteed when entering the United States that money awaits. I believe that many people believe that upon entering the United States money and happiness waits, but the truth is that being an illegal immigrant puts people in a very tough situation that may not get easier as time goes on. Overall Crossing the Wire made me think about all of the issues surrounding immigration and how so many families are going through hardships in attempt to make a living.

                While I read through this book I could not stop thinking about how young Victor was and how far he was willing to go for his family. This story was very inspirational and spoke to how hard work can give hope to everyone no matter the hardships that are thrown in front of someone. Crossing the Wire simultaneously shed light on a topic I had not fully looked into while also showing the struggle to help out one’s own family.  Throughout this book I found myself inspired along with informed on a subject that needs to be dealt with.