July 5, 2024
Words by Melissa Cortes
Edited by Abigail Vela and Freddy Jimenez
Election season looms on the horizon, and although voting won’t officially begin until November 5 (mark your calendars), certain issues are sparking debate amongst voters. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 28 percent of Americans considered immigration the most important problem facing the nation. Whether or not you categorize immigration as an actual problem, it’s certainly at the top of voters’ minds, and it’s essential to make sure our community is well-informed on the issue.
December 2023 set the record for the number of migrant crossings at the border. Despite a significant drop in encounters since then, misleading rhetoric about how people can enter this country persists in the media and even within our social circles. If you think there’s a “right way” for people to enter the U.S. or that coming into the country is an easy and stress-free process, think again!
The reality is that our immigration system is far from straightforward. It’s a complex and challenging maze of paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles, not to mention the lengthy wait times. Truth be told, the restrictive nature of this system furthers oppression, especially in mixed-status and border communities like the Rio Grande Valley. By drawing on insights from experts at the Texas Civil Rights Project, we explore the arduous journey faced by those seeking to enter the U.S. and debunk the myth of “easy entry.”
There are essentially three major categories of entry into the U.S.: family-based, business-related, and humanitarian-based. These categories have their own subcategories and respective visas and permits. All of which require filling out complicated applications and submitting tons of paperwork.
“Our immigration system is very broad and very flawed, unfortunately. We do hear that rhetoric [the myth of easy entry] a lot, specifically also from members of our community who don’t quite understand how one is able to obtain citizenship in this country and how one is able to seek asylum or seek some other type of visa,” explained Denisse Molina, the humanitarian outreach coordinator for Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project.
Molina’s insights underscore a critical point: each immigration case can be extremely complex, and fitting into one category does not guarantee easy entry into the country. Even for those with family ties in the U.S., the path to legal entry is anything but straightforward. Family-based immigration requires a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to petition for their relative, a process which involves extensive documentation and can take years or even decades! The process can also be inaccessible due to expensive filing fees. Depending on the specific situation, it can cost up to $3,000.
“That’s kind of the misleading part. That folks think that you just go to an office or that you just send a paper and that somehow that’s going to lead to citizenship, but that simply does not exist,” said Molina.
The situation isn’t much easier for those seeking work-related visas. According to Molina, these visas are highly competitive, with demand far exceeding supply. The intricate application process can often deter people from applying.
Those who are fleeing persecution and seeking asylum face a daunting process. Applicants must provide substantial evidence of their claims and navigate complex legal requirements, all while facing a high risk of denial. The National Immigration Forum reports that asylum seekers can wait over six years for their cases to be heard.
Now, with a new executive order passed by the Biden administration at the beginning of June, asylum claims are temporarily suspended until the number of crossing drops below 1,500, putting many immigrants at risk.
For context, in the RGV alone, officials encountered close to 8,000 people trying to seek asylum in May. Many of these people fled their countries to escape violence and economic uncertainties. These people, who’ve traveled thousands of miles and faced a dangerous journey, are now being turned away or made to wait.
“The hurdle is that our politicians continue to play with our communities, and immigration’s a hot topic in this election. And I hope people, instead of blaming immigrants who are here or coming to this country, put the blame on the politicians who refuse to pass humane legislation to fix our entire system for everyone,” said Molina.
Our immigration system is not only flawed, it is in desperate need of comprehensive reform. The long delays, financial burdens, and uncertainty all contribute to a system that all but ensures to keep immigrants out. We must ask ourselves if that’s the kind of country we want to be.
As election season approaches, it’s crucial for our community to understand the realities of immigration in the U.S. The myth of easy entry is just that—a myth. By understanding that, we can better advocate for a fair and humane system. So next time you hear someone say that entering the U.S. is easy or that there’s a right way, consider telling them about the countless people still stuck in a broken system trying to make that a reality.
The Texas Commission on the Arts voted on the approval of the state’s new Cultural Districts, including Edinburg and Brownsville, called the Edinburg Cultural District and the Mitte Cultural District, respectively. In addition to funding access for local organizations, the designation provides an entry point for a larger conversation about creative and cultural equity locally and statewide.
Last November, South Texas Equality Project led RGV Pride at the Harlingen Convention Center, but something came up in between planning: Senate Bill 8, an anti-trans bathroom bill. STEP members
People from different walks of life have become part of the Rio Grande Valley’s growing, diverse landscape. 30-year-old Ohiozele “Ozzy” Daniel Eromosele grew up in the Valley after his family moved from Nigeria when he was only 8 months old. Read about his journey and love for his home, the Rio Grande Valley.
We rely on generous donations to publish original works each year and support artists in the Rio Grande Valley. Our community's voices are essential in shaping the history and narrative of the frontera!
Donate
September 29, 2026
Last November, South Texas Equality Project led RGV Pride at the Harlingen Convention Center, but something came up in between…
September 17, 2026
Two women testify on their experiences with abortion and reproductive healthcare before and after the overturning of Roe V. Wade.
September 9, 2026
Learn about the deeper meaning of the Brownsville City Commission's disannexation of 444 acres of land to SpaceX.
