Summary Of The Devil’s Highway By Luis Alberto Urrea. - The Devil’s Highway By Luis Alberto Urrea

Summary

In 'The Devil's Highway' by Luis Alberto Urrea, the tragic journey of the Welton 26, a group of Mexican immigrants, is recounted as they traverse the perilous Yuma desert, led astray by their smuggler, Jess Mendez Lopez. The narrative delves into the harsh realities of border patrol, the smugglers' ruthlessness, and the immigrants' desperate struggle for survival. Urrea's Pulitzer Prize-winning work offers a poignant reflection on the human cost of border politics, as it explores the lives of those caught in the merciless desert and the aftermath of their harrowing ordeal.

Takeaways

• 📚 The book 'The Devil's Highway' by Luis Alberto Urrea tells a tragic story of the Welton 26, a group of Mexican immigrants who faced perilous conditions in the Yuma desert.
• 🏜 The Yuma desert, also known as 'Desolation', is depicted as a harsh and unforgiving environment, akin to a cursed land where many have met their end.
• 👮‍♂️ The U.S. Border Patrol's routine involves searching for 'signs' of illegal immigrants, often leading to encounters that can be harsh and dehumanizing.
• 💼 Don Juan Garcia, a fixer, lured men into the dangerous journey with promises of wealth, only to exploit them financially with the help of his boss, Chase Bureau.
• 🚶‍♂️ Jess Lopez Ramos, the smuggler, is portrayed as a young man caught up in the gangster lifestyle, viewing himself as both a revolutionary and a gangster.
• 🚍 The journey of the Welton 26 begins with a bus ride to the border town of Sonoita, followed by a series of hiding places before their desert trek.
• 🌙 The group's misfortune starts when they are led into the desert during daylight, causing disorientation and eventual loss of the trail under the cover of night.
• 🥵 The immigrants suffer from heatstroke and dehydration as they wander lost in the desert, with their situation worsening as water supplies dwindle.
• 💡 A desperate plan is devised where Mendez and Lauro leave to find help, but Mendez abandons the group, leaving them to their fate.
• 🆘 Five men from the group manage to find and signal a Border Patrol agent, initiating a rescue mission that saves some but finds many too late.
• 🏥 Survivors are questioned at the Yuma Medical Center, and their accounts, though varied, all identify Mendez as their smuggler.
• 🏛️ The incident sparks a debate on border politics and the need for reform, but changes are stymied by broader political events, leading to continued bloodshed and chaos.
• 🏆 Luis Alberto Urrea's work on 'The Devil's Highway' won the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction in 2005, highlighting his prowess as a creative writer and professor.
• 🌐 Urrea's extensive background includes work as an aid worker, columnist, editor, and professor, with his writing featured in various notable anthologies and collections.

Q & A

What is the main theme of 'The Devil's Highway' by Luis Alberto Urrea?

The main theme of 'The Devil's Highway' is the perilous journey of a group of illegal immigrants, known as the Welton 26 or Yuma 14, who got lost in the Yuma desert due to the mistakes of their smuggler, Jess Mendez Lopez Ramos.

What is the significance of the term 'Desolation' in the context of the book?

In the book, 'Desolation' refers to a vast desert mentioned in old religious writings where lost angels are buried, and it is used metaphorically to describe the Cabeza Prieta desert, which is the setting for the tragic events experienced by the Welton 26.

How does Urrea describe the life of the border patrol agents in Wilton, Arizona?

Urrea describes the life of the border patrol agents as often boring and repetitive, with their job involving looking for signs of illegal immigrants in the desert. Despite their sometimes cruel treatment of those they catch, the agents are sensitive to the deaths they encounter in the line of duty.

What role does Don Juan Garcia play in the story?

Don Juan Garcia is a fixer for the dangerous Circus border gang. He lures men with the promise of wealth and the ability to support their families, only to take their money upfront or as a loan, which he plans to recover by any means necessary with the help of his boss, Chase Bureau.

What is the significance of Jess Lopez Ramos in the journey of the Welton 26?

Jess Lopez Ramos is the smuggler, or 'palero', who leads the group of immigrants across the border. Despite being at the bottom of the gang's hierarchy and being seen as disposable, he considers himself a modern-day revolutionary and a real gangster.

What is the turning point in the journey of the Welton 26 that leads to their tragedy?

The turning point occurs when the group, still in daylight, is led by Mendes into the desert where they are blinded by bright lights, presumably from the border patrol. This causes the group to flee and lose their way, leading them further into the dangerous desert.

How does the group's situation deteriorate after getting lost in the desert?

After getting lost, the group faces the harsh desert conditions, including extreme heat and lack of water. As they continue to stray off course, they experience symptoms of heatstroke, or hyperthermia, leading to a cruel and painful way of dying.

What is the plan the group devises when they realize they are going to die?

The group decides that Mendes and one of his friends, Lauro, will go off on their own to bring back water and help. However, Mendes ends up leaving the group behind, promising to return but never does.

What happens to the group after Mendes and Lauro leave?

After Mendes and Lauro leave, the group members continue to walk into the night on their own. Some of them eventually break off to seek help, and upon encountering a border patrol truck, they inform the agent about the others who are lost in the desert.

What is the aftermath of the tragedy for the survivors and the smugglers involved?

The survivors are questioned by the police and their stories, although different and full of misunderstandings, all identify Mendes as their smuggler. Mendes pleads guilty to 25 counts of smuggling to avoid the death penalty. The survivors are given homes and jobs in the U.S. in return for their testimonies.

How does Luis Alberto Urrea reflect on the impact of the Welton 26 incident on border politics?

Urrea contemplates that while the incident did not bring about the desired changes in border politics, it did highlight the ongoing bloodshed and chaos at the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite talks of reform between presidents George W. Bush and Vicente Fox, the events of September 11, 2001, halted any progress.