Reenacting a passage

As I was reading the Magelssen article, a thought hit me, illegal immigrants can be likened to fugitive slaves of the Antebellum south. The similarities are numerous. Both were targeted and by conservative forces. The prefixes "illegal" and "fugitive" highlighting the illegality of their journey from one place to another. Both are (or were) racial minorities, specifically regarding Latin American immigrants. With that stated, the issue of racism behind immigration cannot be ignored.

Made most explicitly in the article was the fact that people take part in reenactment of slaves and immigrants arduous journey to freedom, whether physical or economic. Attending a reenactment first seemed to me to be an appropriation of someone's plight, taking a harrowing journey and making it enjoyable. After reading about the Caminata Noctura and how it attempts to keep true to the journey to "El Norte" I understand the intention of its creators, to deter immigration and filter finances back into the struggling economy.

For those that do decide to leave, the livelihoods for themselves and their families are first and foremost on their minds. But as they cross, the ultimately compromise the borders of their home countries and the emigrating country. Yet most boundaries are a social constructions, manmade structures, a wall to separate you from me, native from foreigner, good vs bad and so on and so forth. This only adds to my newfound ambiguity on the subject of illegal immigration.

While I understand the need to protect the borders of the USA from the forces of violence and things that threaten "American Integrity" (an issue that I will discuss at a later date), these borders were once nonexistent and strengthening them will not stop immigration and the real problems that face many Latin American countries. Herein lies my question: The US is no stranger to the creation of borders, real or imagined. Could strengthening the border strengthen a sense of "American identity/citizenship" or could we see a mass movement of liberal thought arising, fighting for the civil liberties of illegal immigrants?

Additionally, is it possible to view illegal immigration without resorting to xenophobic and inflammatory language?