The sound of the snakehead is soft and tempting and perfectly
pitched to the ears of young Chinese who dream of a better life. 46. "One
need never go wanting for anything in America," the snakehead says. "Color
televisions. Shiny cars, Dollars by the millions. All is there, just waiting to
be claimed." If the countless numbers of young Chinese
who this moment are plotting their escape to America knew that the Land of Milk
and Honey has proved sour for thousands of their people, they would not be so
eager to make the risky journey. Since the first boatload of illegal Chinese
aliens was seized by U. S. officials in 1991, some 50 Chinese crime groups have
smuggled tens of thousands of Chinese into the U.S. each year. The routes vary,
some by sea, others by air or by steady. In the southern coastal province of
Fnjian, home goes up to about 80% of these immigrants. 47. Families band
together to raise the funds, thinking they are making a down payment not only on
a loved one’s future but their own as well. For their effort they often
bankrupt their savings only to sell the loved one into slavery.
Those who wish to try their tuck abroad are encouraged by the snakeheads
who then link them with underground networks. 48. Most of the arrangements
are done by international crime Syndicates, which cut deals with desperate
families, then draw up the escape plan, obtain the forged documents and furnish
the transportation. Some observers say as many as 20 human smuggling
Syndicates may operatein Fujian. These organized rings influence officials
unfairly, change stolen passports, forge visas, keep safe houses and charter
boats to pull off their daring operations. But falling into the
hands of the gangs is a terrifying thing. Immigrants may face severe punishment
if they fail to satisfy the demands of their contracts. 49. That, perhaps,
explains the desperation of the Chinese illegals who sweat it out in
restaurants, garment factories and dry-cleaning establishments for as little as
$ 2 an hour. One garment clothes making district employee, for ex- ample,
who worked 36 hours straight, was deprived of pay for taking a one hour nap.
Non-payment of wages is widespread. "They are slaves, pure and simple," says a
U. S. immigration official. "Many end up in bondage like slaves, forced to
become gang enforcers or drug carriers."