“Fuenteovejuna” is a famous play by the Spanish playwright Lope de Vega, written in 1619. The title “Fuenteovejuna” refers to a village in Spain and is also the name of the play. In Spanish literature, it is renowned for its themes of collective action and social justice. The play is based on a historical event from 1476, where the villagers of Fuenteovejuna rose up against their oppressive commander. When questioned by the authorities about who was responsible for the commander’s death, the villagers collectively responded, “Fuenteovejuna did it,” symbolizing their unity and resistance against tyranny.
USA 2025
The neighborhood of Esperanza is a small, tight-knit immigrant community nestled in the heart of a sprawling American city. People from diverse backgrounds live there—some are naturalized citizens, others hold green cards, and many are undocumented. Yet within this patchwork of legal statuses, they share a common bond. They look out for one another, raise children together, and celebrate their cultural traditions as a family united not by paperwork, but by shared humanity.
Tensions rise one spring morning when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vans are spotted circling the area. Javier, an undocumented handyman who’s lived in Esperanza for over a decade, becomes the first target. Agents knock on his door with cold efficiency, papers in hand and weapons visible on their hips. Word spreads quickly, and the streets begin to empty. Windows shutter. But behind these barriers, residents gather, whispering urgent plans.
Maria, a U.S. citizen and owner of the neighborhood corner store, speaks first. “If we let them take Javier, who’s next? His wife? Your son? Where does it end? This is as much our fight as theirs.”
Inspired, the residents decide to act as one. They set up a network of spotters equipped with walkie-talkies and phones. They agree that nobody, whether citizen or undocumented, will answer ICE’s questions. The plan is simple and perilous: if raids come, the neighborhood will lock down. Together, they will protect everyone, no matter the risk.
The climax arrives late one night when agents move in to detain Sofia, an undocumented college student who volunteers in local after-school programs. This time, the community doesn’t stay behind locked doors. Instead, dozens emerge into the street as ICE agents approach. Maria walks to the front of the group.
“If you’re taking her, you’re taking us all,” Maria says, loud and firm. One by one, others echo her words. “I’m Sofia. We’re all Sofia.” The crowd swells, their voices blending into a chant of defiance. Faced with a sea of people unwilling to betray their neighbor, the agents retreat.
The backlash for their actions comes quickly. Representatives from law enforcement visit the neighborhood, reminding residents of the law and warning them of consequences. But this time, the community has lawyers, petitions, and media coverage on their side. Their courage sparks a broader movement, as other neighborhoods across the city begin organizing in solidarity.
Esperanza becomes a symbol, much like Fuenteovejuna, of what happens when people refuse to be divided by fear. The questions their stand raises are uncomfortable, urgent, and vital. What makes someone deserving of protection? Who decides whose humanity is worth defending? And what happens when the law demands silence in the face of suffering?
Though their victory is far from final, the people of Esperanza know one truth clearly now—together, they can stand against the storm. United, they are unbreakable.
Debunking the Myth of Immigrants and Crime
Research indicates that undocumented immigrants in the U.S. tend to have lower crime rates compared to native-born U.S. citizens. Studies show that undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born citizens for violent and drug-related crimes1. Additionally, they have substantially lower crime rates across a range of felony offenses compared to both native-born citizens and legal immigrants2. This challenges common misconceptions about the relationship between immigration status and crime.
Footnotes
- https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/undocumented-immigrant-offending-rate-lower-us-born-citizen-rate ↩
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014704117 ↩
Sources
Undocumented Immigrant Offending Rate Lower Than U.S. …
Comparing crime rates between undocumented …
Immigrants less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born
What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the …
Debunking the Myth of Immigrants and Crime
Mass shootings in the United States
There is no evidence indicating that undocumented immigrants have been involved in mass shootings in the United States. The perception that undocumented immigrants are responsible for higher crime rates, including mass shootings, is not supported by available research.
To prevent crime, wouldn’t it make more sense to conduct raids of illegal and neglectful possession of firearms, and to declare weapons of war as ‘illegal aliens’ in the streets of the United States?
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