Inside: Spanish songs about immigration: a playlist. 

While researching for a post on immigration, I decided to look into songs. And wow– I came across some amazing music. These shouldn’t be missed, so I’m devoting a whole post to them. 

I think it’s hard to teach a unit on immigration. If you have a large population of immigrant families, the topic obviously hits close to home. For other classrooms, the temptation to apply stereotypes and generalize is huge. If our resources are lopsided, just one story gets told: it’s easy for students to walk away assuming every undocumented immigrant has a similar back story, or that most immigrants are undocumented.

In reality, people move countries for varied reasons, and under many circumstances. With these songs, I hope to offer more than “one story,” so your students can connect to varied artistic voices and perspectives.

(If you’re looking for more lists, see my Songs in Spanish page.)

SPANISH SONGS ABOUT IMMIGRATION

I attempted to attach a level to each song– hopefully it’s accurate. By saying a song is novice-high, I don’t mean that a NH student will immediately understand every word. I mean that with some teacher support, the song will be useful and largely comprehensible. The students could read it over it and get the gist. 

(PLEASE be mindful that several songs here will be difficult to watch, especially for families that have been affected by deportation experiences.)

1. POBRE JUAN

Maná wrote this song in 2002, around the time that border crossings were at an all-time high. It’s written in story-form, and heavy. Maná says this: 

“Pobre Juan” … es una triste realidad que sucede todos los días, una historia de Juan y miles de inmigrantes mexicanos y Latinoamericanos que fallecen en la lucha de cruzar la frontera (y) fallecen o desaparecen.

(Level: Intermediate-Low and up, narrated in past tense.)

2. FRONTERAS – GABY MORENO 

While not officially an immigration song, the themes (“fronteras,” “esperanza,” and “yo pertenezco aquí“) lend themselves well to the topic. The song shows scenes and stories from Guatemala, which is where was Gaby Moreno was born before relocating to the U.S.

I like using this one because it offers hopeful language and music, while showing beautiful scenes and strong characters from Guatemala. 

(Level: Novice-High and up, mostly present tense.)

3. UN BESITO MÁS – JESSE Y JOY 

This one is powerful. Un Besito Más shows the story of a couple attempting to make a new life in the U.S. after crossing the border, and the terrible complications of children who have citizenship being separated from undocumented parents. It’s written from the perspective of a child who stayed in the U.S. after her parents were deported.

(Level: Novice-High and up. Lots of imperfect tense and present tense.)

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSt8c5VA18mRErjSGbdPRM9SVFU3jKNAXgNnD6ofC7znSWrv1apvuJHpob_IgCLaNDWSndSWOR0OnP_/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=15000&slide=id.g3586637d13_0_47

While working with this song, I made some slides with screenshots from the video that narrate the story, using mostly past tenses. Feel free to use! (The editable version is available as part of my Voces de los inmigrantes Song Pack.) 

4. ICE EL HIELO – LA SANTA CECILIA

Ice El Hielo gets a bit more political, and was produced as part of the #Not1More series. The video shows vignettes of Latino immigrants living the U.S., who later get taken by ICE and deported. Hard to watch, for sure, but reflects the reality and uncertainty of living and working without documents here. 

(Level: Novice-High and up, with support. Mix of tenses.)

I also made some slides for this one, using simple language for novices, in the present tense. Feel free to use! (The editable version is also available as part of my Voces de los inmigrantes Song Pack.) 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vR4JKPOCHGMZw51CCeakiW2llTEgcbYg-6sn6mF1f5pfAAbAKrjlB4VGP_61d97OFGHe2ECE_oCLAdR/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=60000

5. AVE QUE EMIGRA

Another Gaby Moreno favorite, this song describes her personal experience of emigrating to the U.S. 

“Recuerdos desde mi infancia
Que a veces parten el alma
Mi Guate nunca la olvido
La llevo siempre conmigo…”

(Level: Intermediate-Low and up, due to some low-frequency phrases. The video works well for discussing present life vs. past experiences.)

6. A LAS TRES – ENANITOS VERDES 

A Las Tres is written from the perspective of an immigrant working far away from his family, and sending money home to support them. This is a powerful perspective on the conflict of wanting (or needing) the opportunities found in the U.S., while yearning for home. 

(Level: Novice-Mid and up. Mainly present tense and comprehensible phrasing.)

7. MIS DOS PATRIAS – LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE

Los Tigres del Norte have several immigration-themed songs (Mojados Tres Veces, Jaula de Oro), but I included this one because it explores a lightly different theme: actually living in the this, as a new citizen, and feeling split between two identities.

(Level: Novice-High and up, I think. With some support upfront, the song is pretty accessible.)

Songs 1-7 are available part of my Voces de los inmigrantes Song Pack. Check it out if you’d like some ready-to-go printables and activities, or keep scrolling!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSt8c5VA18mRErjSGbdPRM9SVFU3jKNAXgNnD6ofC7znSWrv1apvuJHpob_IgCLaNDWSndSWOR0OnP_/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=15000

8. PAPELES MOJADOS – CHAMBAO

If you want something outside the typical Latino-US box, here’s your immigration song in Spanish. 

(Level: Intermediate- Mid and up.)

9. PA’L NORTE – CALLE 13 

Use this one with caution in class– preview for sure. It’s one of the most provoking songs out there, both in the video and lyrics. 

Hoy me voy Pa’l norte sin pasaporte
Sin transporte
A pie, con las patas
Pero no importa este hombre se hidrata
Con lo que retratan mis pupilas
Cargo con un par de paisajes en mi mochila
Cargo con vitamina de clorofila
Cargo con un rosario que me vigila
Sueño con cruzar el meridiano

(Level: Intermediate-Low or Mid and up, with lots of metaphorical language.)

10. EL INMIGRANTE – CALIBRE 50

Piensan que por que brinque la linea
Soy un narcotraficante
Ya basta de mil humillaciones
Nomas por ser “inmigrante”
Estoy cantando por toda mi gente

(Level: Intermediate-Low and up.)

11. EL MOJADO – RICARDO ARJONA

El Mojado takes on the term “wetback,” though it’s worth noting that the word in Spanish doesn’t carry quite the same connotations. He describes the experience and anxiety of living without papers in the U.S.

(Level: Intermediate-Low and up.)

12. “SHOCK” IN ARIZONA – ANA TIJOUX

A song of protest to abuses of power and discrimination in the American southwest. 

(Level: Intermediate-High and up.)

13. LÁGRIMAS DEL CORAZÓN – GRUPO MONTÉZ DE DURANGO

A tribute to the fathers who leave their children behind to work and send money home, the lyrics switch between a son and a father who are apart. 

(Level: Intermediate-Low and up.)

14. BANDERA – ATERCIOPELADOS

A gripping commentary on immigration, privilege and power. 

(Level: Novice-High and up.)

15. CLANDESTINO – MANU CHAO

Reggae-style, this song tells the story about being termed “cladestino” for not having papers. Contains the word marihuana. 

(Level: Intermediate-Low and up.)

What immigration songs in Spanish did I miss? Leave your suggestions in the comments below. 

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