if crossing the border costs$$$$$ why did you do it??

Question

i heard stories about crossing the border.
it costs lots of money and of course it is very dangerous.
i understand "the american dream" and wanting a better life, but i understand that 10.000$ is lots of money in most ofthe latino countries. so why don't you invest it in a small business or something in you country instead of taking a shot and risk everything even your life???
i'd like to hear from people who did it and why.
I don't want any stupid comments back

Answer 1

I can think of a couple of reasons why someone would do that.

1. There is an idea that the US has so many more opportunities that it is so much easier to make money there. In a way they are right. Lets say that they spent $10,000 on a business in Mexico. Assume a 100% return and now they have $20,000. Lets say that in the US they can get $80 a day doing work of some sort. That works out to $25,000 with working 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Granted, that is only on paper and $80 a day for some is not going to happen. Plus, there are the costs of living in the US.

2. The idea of keeping control of your life in your own hands. Handing the money over to someone for an investment lets someone else control your money. Even running your own business can feel like the customers are controlling your money.


In the end, I agree with you. I think that there opportunities to be made in Mexico. They are not easy but I think that if people had these large amounts of money, they could do something. Lets say a dozen pooled their money and had $120,000. They could start a very nice business for that much. It is not that easy either, but it could be helpful for the economy of Mexico if more people did this.