La Migra

“La Migra” is a 1993 poem by the Chicana poet Pat Mora, whose work often explores experiences of Mexicans and Chicanos/Chicanas (Americans of Mexican descent) living near the border between the United States and Mexico. In this poem, Mora dramatizes the conflict between the United States Border Patrol and Mexicans who cross the border without proper documents. The first part of the poem gives voice to the Border Patrol, expressing their arrogant belief that they can catch undocumented migrants easily and may treat them with little sympathy or courtesy. In the second part, however, a female speaker who represents all Mexican border crossers offers her response. She explains that border crossers have the advantage of knowing the terrain and being nimbler than the Border Control. In the face of the Border Patrol’s threats, the migrant woman exhibits courage and determination. She is ready for the challenge. The poem vividly conveys the battle of wills between the two sides in this border conflict. It does not explore the reasons behind undocumented migration, focusing instead on the contrasting attitudes and values of border crossers and Border Patrol agents.

Poet Biography

Mora was born in 1942 in El Paso, Texas, where her grandparents had moved from Northern Mexico.