Our only place to be and to find a trabajo was closed by the owner. Where shall we go now to find a new job? There is nothing we can do to improve our situation. 

"La Migra" caught some of our 'manos while they were waiting for a patrón to pick them up although the exchange didn't exist any longer. (pp. 201 ff.)

Some of our brothers at the 7-eleven parking lot met a gringa. 

We tried to get a job from her, but she refused and drove off en su carro. (pp. 162+163)

Short time after the street corner is deserted. 

Another compadre, José Navidad, was camping with a friend at a wonderful house, and the gringa appeared there claiming it was her's.

The two had to go and find another place to sleep. (pp. 169+170)

Our 'manos at Canoga Park live a better vida than most of us. They own shops and restaurants, have enough dinero for buying nice cars without being afraid of "La Migra".

They can even drive illegal streets races!

Unfortunately, there are robberies and rapes among our people. 

Last week, a compadre was robbed out by some pendejos. We couldn't do anything to help him. (p. 237)

Una señorita was raped by two other Mexicans some time ago. She was too far away to be helped by anybody. (pp. 146 f.)

Obviously, there are places where we are friendly accepted among the gringos' society, and other places where we are treated like coyotes o como ladrones.

When it comes to work, the Americans are happy to have us, but when we stroll around or wait to get a job they are annoyed of our presence. In situations like these, they have La Migra to make us go away.

There is a large gap inbetween our people living in Gringolandia. Some have managed to live successfully in the US and even opened their own businesses.

Others don't have any hope to increase their standard of living. They are so desperate that they start doing things like robbing out compadres or raping innocent señoras.

Hermann and Rasmus