"Smuggle Truck" Game Irks Immigrant Advocates

BOSTON - A game developed by a Boston-based tech company that allows users to drive a truck full of immigrants through the desert and try not to have them tossed out is drawing fire from some immigrant advocates.

"Smuggle Truck: Operation Immigration," a proposed iPhone and iPad app by Owlchemy Labs targeted for released in March, lets players navigate through what appears to be the U.S-Mexican border. As the truck drives over cliffs, mountains and dead animals, immigrants fall off the truck's bed. Scores are calculated by the number of immigrants helped crossing the U.S. border.

Developer Alex Schwartz said the idea for the satirical game came out frustration friends faced while trying to immigrate to the U.S.

"We felt like this issues was kind of a bit taboo for games and popular media," said Schwartz. "So we wanted to build something . about this struggle that we could put into our work and our passion, which is making games."

Schwartz said the message that developers what to send out through the game - it's so tough to legally emigrate to the U.S. that it's almost easier to smuggle yourself over the border despite the dangers.

But Eva Millona, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrants & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said the game is in poor taste and trivializes the seriousness of immigrants willing to risk their lives under a broken immigration system.

"Last year 170 human beings died crossing the border," Millona said in statement. "It's disgraceful that anyone would try to make money out of this tragedy by making light of it in a game."

Patricia Montes, executive director of Centro Presente, a Somerville, Mass.-based Latino immigrant advocacy group, agreed.

"I don't think that people who are trying to emigrate into the U.S. think they are part of a game," Montes said. "They do it because they are desperate."

[LATimesLuv]

Yes - I find this highly offensive. I wanted a border sniper action game instead.

[CristianoFernandez]

If I am not mistaken, there is already an iPhone game dealing with a similar topic, its called Jose Comes To USA. In this game you get to help this dude called Jose cross the border in order to find his one true love. This game came out last month.

So all you haters go try that one as well!!Lol!

[rf35]

"Last year 170 human beings died crossing the border..."
Maybe if they weren't breaking the law I'd have a bit of sympathy.

Why are these illegal immigrant advocacy groups in Massachusetts? Oh, maybe because they don't have a huge problem with illegal Mexicans in that state. Maybe because they are so far north of the Mexico border that they don't see the reality of the situation. Any illegal Canadian immigrant problems? If I lived near the southern border, I'd be the guy who would follow the folks leaving water for the criminals and pick up the bottles.

I'd get this game in a heartbeat! I think it looks awesome and would love to bounce a few criminals out of a truck!

[tsigili]

The game sounds like ti actually shows just how risky and dangerous illegal immigration really is, and more Mexicans need to face the reality, they could die, in the effort.

[endurorob_5]

First off this game looks hilarious. Now the guy complains about the difficulties of emigrating legally. The U.S. has what is probably the most generous immigration system in the world. Another jacka$$ complains about a broken immigration system. The only thing broken is enforcement. Then one sympathizes for the 170 that died crossing the border last year. I have zero sympathy for anyone who is injured or killed while breaking a law.

[amigo99999]

I think they should make a game with the familys of Maxy, JDAD2, Alex and redneck(how appropiate). The object of the game would be to drive these idiots to a school where they could learn to be human. If that didn't work then drive them all off the highest cliff. To bad it would be just a game though. The world would be so much better off without these bigots. PS please dont procreate, we have enough of your type already.

[diamruby]

I think its great, they only hate it because it is the truth. These advocates are for the illegal criminals & the children they breed that are ruining America. They protect & encourage criminals to commit more crimes in America so they can continue their high paying jobs.

[mask2697]

DUDE, Illegal immigrants do labor jobs, jobs most americans wouldn't be caught dead doing, they are the only reason that factories still run, they are the people who build your house, there the people who add culture to this country, and They get low paying jobs, also legal immigrants and American citizens also commit crimes

[rf35]

Do you think the citizen who has been unemployed for the last 6 months wouldn't be caught dead doing a labor job??? Think!

[alex_makes_comments]

I think Grand Theft Auto makes fun of individuals who desperately need transportation and risk their lives comandeering an automobile from a potentially uncooperative citizen.