Immigration Issues Explored in Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

Within the movie, Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, we learn the significance in the loyalty of friends as the concept of commitment is portrayed. Hard pressed to find this level of loyalty and commitment in today’s society, Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada expresses the profound bond between an immigrant worker and a rancher in a south Texas border town. Through various nature related obstacles, Melquiades Estrada’s employer, and friend, seeks to follow through on the commitment he made to return the body of Melquiades back to his chosen burial plot in Mexico. Even after making the trip, we learn the destiny was not as projected and yet this South Texas rancher continues forward to ensure his friend is laid to rest in the place he chose, even if the story and the journey was misleading.

The movie also provides an interesting perspective on the life of Mexican citizens. It is through this movie that we see the compassion for life found in the Mexican culture. Even when faced with the enemy, the United States Border Patrol, the heart of the Mexican people find compassion and empathy for even those who make their lives the most difficult. Embracing the love and life given, the Mexican family works together in every aspect of life. True to family and friends and content with a simple life they are portrayed as a humble people.

And, finally, the movie touches on the political and human aspects of immigration. With heart wrenching scenes involving interaction between United States Border Patrol Agents and Mexican nationals attempting to cross the border, the movie provides a view into the world of hatred and violence of one United States Border Patrol agent and lays a sympathetic eye to the Mexican nationals who so desperately make the life endangering trip across the border in an effort to find a better life in the United States. But, is this life really better? As seen in the movie, the simple, but often physically exhausting life, of the Mexican people may truly be a life in which peace is found especially when we pass from this life into the afterlife