Moment of Truth with Ami Chen Mills
Moment of Truth with Ami Chen Mills
The Roots of the Migration Crisis with Dr. Ann Lopez
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Migrants and immigrants from Mexico comprise the bulk of all migration to the US, roughly 30 percent of all people who seek to cross US borders for employment and opportunities for themselves and their families. Why do they come and when did this “mass migration” start? What are its root causes?

Dr. Ann López, is the Executive Director at the Center for Farmworker Families, based in Watsonville, CA and serving California Central Coast farmworkers. In 2007, the University of California Press published López’s book, titled The Farmworkers’ Journey. The book documents the roots of the “migrant crisis” from Mexico into the United States, especially post-North American Free Trade Agreement (or NAFTA) and includes ten years’ worth of interviews López conducted with farmers throughout Mexico and California. 

This MOT episode includes a brief news update on the “Not My President’s Day” rally at the county and federal building in Santa Cruz, CA and an interview with Cabrillo College Board of Trustee Member, Adam Spickler, the first Trans man elected to office in California, on how Trump Executive Orders and “MAGA” generally are impacting his life, and programs at Cabrillo and at the County level.

Ann López then speaks to her history and interest in farming and migration. Our interview with Dr. López includes the following:

  • How Mexico was a center of health corn hybridization, and how Mexico’s indigenous civilizations maintained a robust local food supply for thousands of years.
  • What happened during NAFTA that drove small farmers in Mexico off their farms?
  • How many undocumented farm workers are here in California?
  • Neoliberal economics and migration.
  • Historical numbers of migrants and immigrants, compared to today.
  • Crime rates of undocumented migrants compared to US residents and citizens.
  • Sexual harassment and abuse in the fields.
  • Farm worker housing, migrant camps  and the 50-mile rule.
  • The emotional state of farm workers in Pajaro Valley and the region.
  • The CORA campaign to eliminate pesticide use around schools in Watsonville.

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