There were tons of murals that were created by children and families about why NOT to illegally emigrate to another country. It seems that illegal immigration is a problem not only for the U.S., but also for the country that is left behind.
"To immigrate is something difficult for the people because they suffer a lot. People die, are violated, and disappear, and the women have are obligated to prostitute themselves." This is the image of immigration that one of the artists of this mural has.
"Immigration destroys homes." "Migration is not the best way to make your life better."
"El Salvador loves you." "Don't immigrate; your life is in danger."
"Think hard before you immigrate...God bless you!!" "I love my country."
"Think about it very hard before you immigrate."
"Enjoy your country. Don't immigrate." "Say 'no' to the Coyotes, mommy!"
"Where is the blessing in living locked up in a country that isn't my own?"
"I'd rather live poor but with my family in El Salvador and NOT immigrate!"
"Love what you have and fight for what you want."
Informational poster about immigration. "If you're thinking about immigrating, the first step is to inform yourself!"
"Pupusas taste better in El Salvador!!!"
There were a great many of these canvases with quotes and advice and drawings.
As you can see, it isn't as though everyone in every poor country wants to ship off to the U.S. Oftentimes, due to expenses and the danger of traveling, only one family member will try to go to the U.S. to find a job and send money back home, but, as you can see, many people are against that splitting of homes. There's also the stress of worrying about the family member(s) who've tried to immigrate. Did they make it? Are they okay? Were they arrested? Beaten? Shot? Killed? There were some sayings or signs that said something to the effect of "The migra (immigration enforcement) will kill you/is evil/etc." There's a great fear for what happens to illegal immigrants should they be caught. So this campaign is an attempt to inform potential immigrants of what to expect if they try to go through illegal channels. There were also signs reminding people that illegal immigrants have absolutely NO rights, so why try to leave your homeland for a place where you don't count as a person?
The canvas murals were outside of the exhibit proper. This is the first look inside the exhibit! The exhibit kind of gives a history of immigration/emigration/migration from the days of the landbridge, and then if you walk to the right and go around the room, you'll see snapshots of indigenous migration, the immigration of the conquistadors, etc all the way up to our modern times.
Migration patterns of ancient peoples across the Bering Land Bridge
Evolution of corn.
There were a few computers on which one could read some PDFs of information about migration and immigration or read personal accounts of immigrants. This chart shows the population of Salvadoran immigrants in various states in the U.S. As you can see, most people have settled in California, Texas, and Virginia/Wa. D.C.
A little factoid about people immigrating TO El Salvador
Salvadoran immigration to the U.S. was HUGE during the 70's-90's (civil unrest & civil war). That was a time when the Salvadoran government, with the help of U.S. weapons, was assassinating and massacring its own people. You could be shot down just for being a student at a university or carrying a Bible in the streets, because Catholicism and Universities were propagators of Communism (at least, that's what the government seemed to think). I've mentioned before that Conny's brother Fran was arrested and beaten for being a university student; well, he was also one of the folks who immigrated to the U.S. I do believe he's a legal resident, though I forget where he and his wife live.
This map shows in which other countries Salvadoran immigrants live now.
Girls holding up a sign that says "Return m father's remains to me." Presumably, he was one of the illegal immigrants who was killed.
Gallery of Salvadoran immigrants
Typical food and culture of El Salvador
Quote from an immigrant: "When I left my homeland of El Salvador with the intention to arrive in the U.S., I knew that I would need more than bravery. I knew that it was best to stay on the path. There are three borders that I have to cross. Three countries to get through illegally. Three times I put my life in danger. Because of that, I say I'm three times wet."
Whiteboards with advice and feedback at the end of the exhibit.
Reasons to stay in El Salvador: "Short distances, the people, my family, the liberty that I can have only in my country, and LAS PUPUSAS!" Haha, I definitely found it amusing that one of the biggest recurring reasons to stay in El Salvador is "the pupusas," which are a typical food that is basically a stuffed tortilla. They're certainly delicious, but in my opinion, safety and freedom and comfort taste better. ;)
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