Sandra Cisneros’ abrupt yet profound short story “Geraldo No Last Name” identifies the interesting connection between two young people at a dance and the indescribable sadness that ensues after the young man dies in a hit-and-run accident. However, the main themes and points made in the short story pertain to a more large-scale topic. Geraldo, the undocumented latino, works hard in America for his family back home and earns his money to support them. Marin, a young woman who enjoys dancing, often attends dances throughout her city. By depicting the trials of an undocumented immigrant throughout the short story, Sandra Cisneros displays her own thoughts on the political issue of undocumented immigration and open borders. Sandra Cisneros cultural
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immigration policy initiatives” (“Mexican Immigrants Crossing the Rio Grande”). Because Geraldo carries no identification and no one knows his lifestyle, the doctors and the police “never knew about … the weekly money orders sent home” and “the currency exchange” that occurs between Geraldo and his family in Mexico (Cisneros 2). Because Geraldo left his family to work in the United States, he frequently sends home money to help with his struggling family. Geraldo and other immigrants wish to come to America because they “have been attracted by a ready supply of jobs” in the United States (“Mexican Immigrant Crossing the Rio Grande”). This ready supply causes “undocumented workers [to] make up about five percent of the American workforce” which can cause political controversy (“Undocumented Migrant Farm Workers”). After Geraldo’s inopportune death, he most likely leaves his family back in Mexico wondering about what happened and remembering that “he went north . . . we never heard from him again” (Cisneros 2). This short story portrays a sad event that can occur when undocumented immigrants “[stay] permanently in the United States, rather than returning to Mexico” (“Mexican Immigrants Crossing the Rio Grande”). Undocumented immigration remains a huge political topic in the world today and Cisneros uses her platform of literature to
immigration policy initiatives” (“Mexican Immigrants Crossing the Rio Grande”). Because Geraldo carries no identification and no one knows his lifestyle, the doctors and the police “never knew about … the weekly money orders sent home” and “the currency exchange” that occurs between Geraldo and his family in Mexico (Cisneros 2). Because Geraldo left his family to work in the United States, he frequently sends home money to help with his struggling family. Geraldo and other immigrants wish to come to America because they “have been attracted by a ready supply of jobs” in the United States (“Mexican Immigrant Crossing the Rio Grande”). This ready supply causes “undocumented workers [to] make up about five percent of the American workforce” which can cause political controversy (“Undocumented Migrant Farm Workers”). After Geraldo’s inopportune death, he most likely leaves his family back in Mexico wondering about what happened and remembering that “he went north . . . we never heard from him again” (Cisneros 2). This short story portrays a sad event that can occur when undocumented immigrants “[stay] permanently in the United States, rather than returning to Mexico” (“Mexican Immigrants Crossing the Rio Grande”). Undocumented immigration remains a huge political topic in the world today and Cisneros uses her platform of literature to