Giant Portrait of Toddler Peers Over U.S.- Mexico Border Wall

This article brings to the attention the present circumstances concerning immigration and the division between the U.S. and Mexico. In Tecate, California where a border stands to divide Mexican immigrants from entering the U.S. a French artist by the initials “JR” created a giant sized cut- out photo of about 65ft. high of an adorable toddler and mounted it on top of the steel border so that anyone who would pass by or looked from afar would be able to view his work. In doing this, people from both sides of the wall were able to connect with what this photo meant to them personally, were able to appreciate it and even connect with each other.

On the side of the U.S., a software developer by the name of Elmond Davantes took some photos of the art and in his opinion stated that “it’s larger than life, it draws attention to the whole issue in a positive way." From the Mexico side, many would visit the site to take family selfies as children played nearby. In appreciation of the photo, an 18yr. old student by the name of Salma Montoya stated “it’s beautiful.” Many from both sides of the border were able to connect with one another by endearingly waving at each other. The artist JR informed to reporters that he was inspired from a dream he had of a child glaring over the border and that “when I woke up, I wondered: “what was he thinking?” and at the same time he stated “like for us, we know all the implications, what it represents, how it divides, but for a kid, I didn’t have the answer." He later photographed a boy that reminded him of the dream and unintentionally displayed his photo at the same time President Donald Trump claimed that he intends to close a program named D.A.C.A. This program permits and assists young illegal immigrants who have migrated to America to continue to stay in America permanently and to pursue their education.  Trump also claimed to rebuild and extend the wall to keep them out. There are many who are fighting to defend this program including the founder of DACA the former Secretary of Homeland Security in 2012, Janet Napoliatano who is now President of a the University system in California is suing Trump to save these students from losing their education and face possible deportation (nytimes.com).

In conclusion, immigration is a sensitive debatable topic where on the one hand we need to protect and secure our country from terrorists, drug and child traffickers as well as those that violate our laws and constitutions but on the other hand we also need to communicate and strategize more effectively to find better ways to control these factors. We need to consider and help our fellow immigrant neighbors who have contributed to this great country and are truly good people who deserve compassion as well as the opportunity to become legal residents. We should continue to welcome them with open arms and accept all diversities without discrimination but as loving fellow Americans that we ought to be.

Work Cited

AP. “Giant Portrait of Toddler Peers Over U.S.- Mexico Border Wall- It’s Larger Than Life.”

nydailynews.com. September 8, 2017.

The Associated Press. Web. 9 Sept. 2017