Jose Miguel Jimenez

All I Have Lost Jose Miguel Jimenez

Illegal Immigration at its most basic level. Born on the wrong side of the Rio Grande, a man dreams of living in the United States and begins his lifelong journey as a legal member of the Bracero Worker Program, then suffers through perilous journeys as an Illegal Alien, and finally achieves Permanent Residency. The dream is simple: land, family, and work. Domingo believes he has always been responsible for his successes over the years, but the death of his wife drives him to re-evaluate his life. Mingo, as he becomes known, has no education or financial support. He must rely on his character and work ethic to achieve his goals. Over the years he sacrifices his body and builds a reputation for dependability at any job he is given. All I Have Lost explores the world of illegal immigration through the eyes of a man who begins the dream by signing up for legal work in the Bracero Program. The world he enters is defined by backbreaking labor, hatred, and discrimination at the hands of both Latino and Anglo citizens. When the program ends he must take desperate measures to enter the United States crossing mountains and deserts where death waits rattling in the dark and searing heat robs the moisture from his parched lips. Eventually Mingo falls in love and must decide to accept this new role as husband to a strong willed woman who is a U. S. citizen. Throughout the years Mingo experiences extreme discrimination due to his inability to speak English and his status as an Illegal. He speaks out when he can, and holds his tongue and temper in check when he cannot. Pride is his most prominent trait and All I Have Lost explores this quality. With the death of his wife he must find a reason to continue, or end his life. All I Have Lost will provide an insight into the life of a simple man whose dreams can only be realized by the strength of his back and his word.