People: Javier

Javier is from Mexico City, but told me he knows more of the U.S. than he does of Mexico. He arrived to the U.S. several years ago with no job, no family--only a few contacts through friends. He found work apprenticing with a family friend in woodworking. He now has his own business, based in Maryland. He has a driver's license--he showed it to me--and owns a car with Maryland plates. He pays taxes. He is an illegal immigrant.

Every time he wants to enter the U.S. he must do so covertly, dangerously, and expensively ($2000) with the help of a "coyote." The trip includes a twelve mile walk through mountains which, looking at a terrain map of the border, leads me to believe it's somewhere along the barren expanse of West Texas. When I met him he was driving his Chevy pick-up to Honduras to pick up his fiancee, whom he met in Maryland. They will have a civil ceremony in Honduras, a festive wedding in Mexico, and then pass once again into the U.S. where they hope to live.

Despite his recent life having been centered in the U.S., Javier maintains a transnational lifestyle, owning a car, a house, and a taxi in Mexico City. When I asked him about the downturn in building in the U.S., he said that if things look too rough there, he'll drive the taxi, with which he can earn around $200 per week, but he would rather be in the States. He is 28 years old.