by Raymond G. Aragon

About the author: Raymond G. Aragon is president of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association.

The debate on the treatment of undocumented Mexican immigrants has hit a fever pitch, in the wake of the April 1, 1996 videotaped freeway beating outside Los Angeles [during which two Riverside County sheriff’s deputies beat illegal immigrants after a car chase], and the April 6, 1996 fatal crash near Temecula [in which several illegal immigrants died after they tried to flee authorities].

Serfdom

It has helped focus attention on the fact that we as Californians have become increasingly split about the role of undocumented Mexican workers in our society, and intolerant about them as people. Immigrants are enticed to come play a key role in our reliant economy, but are assigned serfdom status immediately upon arrival.

Employers...