“El emigrante” protest corrido composed and performed by Félix Arreola, who was born in Delhi, California, to immigrant parents from Acámbaro, Guanajuato. The song stands as both a political outcry and a personal tribute. Arreola begins the piece with a powerful challenge to anti-immigrant rhetoric, rejecting stereotypes that portray immigrants as criminals or burdens. He instead presents a counternarrative of honor, sacrifice, and hard work, grounded in his parents’ lived experience.

The corrido is deeply rooted in Arreola’s memories of working alongside his father in the fields. This labor not only shaped his identity but also informed his understanding of dignity and struggle. Through verses that affirm immigrant contributions to U.S. society, Arreola calls for empathy, social awareness, and recognition. The song becomes a means to defend those whose lives have too often been politicized and devalued.

Musically, “El emigrante” reflects Arreola’s deep connection to traditional ranchera and corrido styles, inspired by legends like José Alfredo Jiménez and Vicente Fernández. The lyrics echo the tone of generational responsibility and urgency: to tell the truth, to affirm one’s roots, and to challenge dominant narratives through song. Arreola sees music not only as a form of expression, but as a tool for cultural education and collective healing.