New book studies undocumented migrants and human smugglers

Summary

In this insightful discussion, anthropologist Jason De León delves into the complexities of undocumented migration, drawing from his extensive research on human smuggling. Through his books, 'The Land of Open Graves' and 'Soldiers and Kings,' De León shares the human stories behind smuggling networks, highlighting the struggles of both migrants and smugglers. He examines the roles of poverty, violence, and climate change in driving migration, while challenging simplistic views of smuggling as merely a criminal activity. De León urges a deeper understanding of the systemic issues at play, offering a more nuanced perspective on migration and the people caught in its web.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anthropologist Jason De León has been studying migration and its complexities for years, focusing on why people leave their homes in search of a better life.
• 😀 Climate change, poverty, and violence are key driving forces behind migration, as explored in De León's research and writings, such as 'Land of Open Graves' and 'Soldiers and Kings.'
• 😀 In his latest book, De León examines clandestine border crossings from the perspective of human smugglers, offering a unique insight into this hidden world.
• 😀 De León spent five years combing the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, collecting personal items left behind by migrants as part of his research into the deadly migrant trail.
• 😀 The U.S. border policy of 'Prevention Through Deterrence' has led to thousands of migrant deaths in the desert by funneling migrants to more dangerous crossing areas.
• 😀 The business of human smuggling, or the role of 'coyotes,' is vital in facilitating migration across difficult border regions, often shaped by harsh border policies.
• 😀 Human trafficking and human smuggling are distinct; trafficking involves coercion, while smuggling involves migrants paying smugglers to cross borders voluntarily.
• 😀 De León built trust with smugglers by spending months working with them and showing commitment to returning, which allowed him to uncover untold stories of smuggling.
• 😀 The story of Roberto, a young Honduran smuggler, highlights the complexity of smuggling, as Roberto sought to leave the business but was tragically murdered by a fellow smuggler.
• 😀 De León aims to foster empathy for smugglers, recognizing their humanity despite their involvement in a brutal industry, which is driven by larger issues like poverty and gang violence.
• 😀 The business of human smuggling is driven by global demand for cheap, undocumented labor, and De León argues that smuggling will continue as long as these systemic issues persist.

Q & A

What is the central focus of Jason De León's anthropological research?

Jason De León's research focuses on understanding why people migrate, examining the complex factors such as climate change, poverty, and violence that push individuals to leave their homes. He also investigates the role of human smugglers in migration and the impact of U.S. border policies on these migrants.

What is the significance of De León's book *The Land of Open Graves*?

*The Land of Open Graves* explores the deadly migrant trail across the Sonoran Desert, focusing on the human cost of U.S. border policies. It sheds light on the harrowing experiences of migrants who risk their lives to cross the desert, with thousands having died due to dangerous conditions exacerbated by restrictive border policies.

How does De León's latest book *Soldiers and Kings* expand on his previous research?

*Soldiers and Kings* shifts the focus to human smugglers, or coyotes, providing a deeper exploration into the clandestine world of smuggling. De León seeks to understand the perspectives of these smugglers, aiming to humanize them rather than reduce them to simplistic stereotypes.

What are some of the challenges faced by migrants in the Sonoran Desert, as detailed by De León?

Migrants in the Sonoran Desert face extreme heat, dangerous terrain, and inadequate resources. De León highlights the objects left behind by migrants, such as broken shoes and makeshift repairs, which illustrate the harsh realities of trying to survive in these conditions.

What role does human smuggling play in the migration process, according to De León?

Human smuggling is a crucial part of the migration process, helping migrants navigate dangerous border areas. While it is often linked to criminal organizations, De León emphasizes the complexity of smuggling, noting that smugglers themselves are often driven by poverty and violence, much like the migrants they assist.

How does De León differentiate between human trafficking and human smuggling?

De León clarifies that human trafficking involves moving people against their will, whereas human smuggling is a voluntary process where individuals pay smugglers to help them cross a geopolitical boundary, often under dangerous circumstances.

What is the impact of U.S. border policies like *Prevention Through Deterrence*?

*Prevention Through Deterrence* has led to the creation of more dangerous migration routes, such as the Arizona desert, forcing migrants into life-threatening conditions. Since its implementation in 1994, this policy has contributed to thousands of migrant deaths by making safer, urban crossings more restricted.

What is the larger issue behind human smuggling, according to De León?

The larger issue behind human smuggling is the systemic forces that drive migration, such as poverty, gang violence, and climate change. De León argues that these factors, coupled with the demand for cheap labor in the U.S., perpetuate the cycle of smuggling and migration, making it a persistent issue.

Why does De León emphasize empathy for smugglers, and how does this shift the narrative?

De León emphasizes empathy for smugglers to complicate the simplistic view of them as 'bad guys.' By recognizing the difficult circumstances that smugglers face, such as poverty and violence, De León highlights the complexity of the situation and challenges readers to think beyond black-and-white narratives.

What does De León suggest as a solution to the ongoing migration crisis?

De León advocates for a shift in perspective and a rethinking of U.S. immigration policies. He argues that current approaches, such as building border walls, are ineffective and that a more nuanced understanding of migration, rooted in empathy and addressing the underlying causes, is necessary to find meaningful solutions.