“Life’s got enough problems without looking for more.” He spooned some salsa on his eggs, took a bite, and chewed thoughtfully. “I know you think it's a problem to have those guys out there. But what can we do about it?"
Carlos threw his hands up, “Dad, the cops…”
Juan turned and leaned forward, “So let’s say we called them. What would they do?”
“Arrest them?” Carlos said. It was more of a statement than a question.
“For what?” Juan asked, “The alley is not our private property.”
“They could make them leave.” Carlos persisted.
“They would leave,” he agreed. “But then they would question me for a long time and write down some reports. Nothing would change. Then those guys might come back tomorrow.” Juan shook his head wearily, “Better not to have trouble.”
Carlos started to object again, but Juan cut him off. “Mijo, I’ve been through this before. I know what I’m talking about.”
“Dad,” Carlos was visibly working to restrain himself, but he had to speak his mind. “All these illegals, they’re ruining the country.” He gestured towards the alley, “They’re not coming to white neighborhoods. They're coming into our neighborhoods!”
“It's not illegal to be a person!" Sofia countered.
“Stop it, both of you!” Juan slapped his hand down on the table. “You both know I came across the border illegally too. Neither one of you would be here if I hadn’t done that.”
Carlos looked away, but Juan continued, “If you were born in Mexico, you might be mixing concrete or harvesting agave in the hot sun right now. You’d still be living with us, and maybe your grandparents, too.”
Sofia giggled to see her proud brother brought low.
“And you!” Juan turned his ire on Sofia, “You’d be married already, learning to cook properly, and giving me grandkids."
Carlos met his father’s gaze. “You have to admit the immigration system is broken.”
“Sí,” Juan admitted.
“Why do you think we’ve been working so hard to get your uncle’s wife into America legally?” Maria asked softly, cleaning up the last of the dishes.
"Three years we've been trying to do it the legal way," Juan grumbled bitterly. "Like you said, the system is broken.”