The grass is not always greener on this side of the fence

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the world by Mexican population. As it also happens in the largest one--Mexico City, of course--only the grass of its fanciest parks is green. Desperate to find a greener grass, immigrants cross the border holding their breath, hoping for the best. But many times, the grass they find on this side of the fence reveals itself as everything but green; what they run into here is rather yellowish and definitely harrowing. This feature on Spanish daily El País highlights L.A.'s dark face, the South side of Los Angeles, poisoned with violence and hopelessness. Ironically, most Latinos afflicted by the gangs' rage and drug trafficking infernos, come from families who left Mexico dreaming of better days for their kids. Tired of finding no choice on the land they were born, they came here to get their fix of reality check.