Migrant trail: Migrant voices

Migrants cross the U.S.-Mexico border because of extreme need. Many migrants leave their countries due to the lack of economic opportunities and the loss of livelihood. This is a form of forced migration that is a driving influence behind undocumented immigration to the United States.

The journey is difficult and life threatening. Increased militarization along the border has devalued human life. Those who successfully cross the border continue to struggle to survive and to provide for their families.

Still, amidst the trials and challenges, many have discovered a renewed faith.

A Mennonite Church in the capital area has welcomed many immigrants. Together, they have become a family, providing support to each other.

(Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of these immigrants.)

Isabel, El Salvador

I left El Salvador during the civil war in 1988. I had to leave the violence, and was uncertain of the future. I left at 17.

A coyote told me that it would cost $2,000, but I only had $1,000. He agreed to take me. We left El Salvador early in the morning, and crossed into Guatemala at 11am. There were 30 of us.

In Chihuahua, Mexico, the coyote separated me and another woman with her child from the others. They took us to a different hotel from the rest of the group. Then they separated me from the woman and child. The coyote told me that I had to sleep with him in order for me to pay off the $1,000.

I had never been to Mexico. I had to do it.

The next day, another coyote took us to the border. We spent 3 nights in the desert. It was very difficult. It was very dark.

I asked myself “why did I do this?” It would have been better if I died in the war.

We waited for 2 weeks on the border in Texas as Border Patrol was heavy. We crawled under electric fences. A van took us to Arizona, and we saw coyote who had taken advantage of me again. He told me he would take me to Los Angeles to live with his relatives and that he would visit me every month. He told me that I did not need to pay the rest of the $1,000.

Luckily, I was able to make a phone call to a friend. My friend met me at the airport in LA, and we escaped as the coyote turned his back to us to collect baggage.

I would not walk [through the desert] again, even if someone told me there was gold here. I would not want to play with my life. I am here, and I am not leaving. This is a sad story, but it is the reality of what happens.

Isabel is 37 years old. She lived in the United States for 12 years without legal documentation. In 2002, when Hurricane Mitch hit her home country, she was able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). She is now able to work temporarily. She has 3 daughters born in the United States.

Joseph, Mexico City

I think of many people who would like to speak but cannot be here. There are many stories, many have died. Sometimes people from Mexico want to come to the United States because it’s the “thing to do”; they want to see what the United States is like. But what is happening is that the “American dream” is becoming the “American nightmare.”

Immigrants have limited choices.

I tried to come to the United States 10 years ago – crossing through the Rio Grande (river). I thought I would die that day. I came with my younger brother. There were 50 of us, and we had to cross the river. The coyotes were bad. They were only interested in money. We were afraid. There was no place to hide.

When we crossed the river, it was not very big but many have died there because of the whirlpools. Halfway across the river, the water covered our heads. Half of our group had crossed, but a strong current took some of the others down the river. The coyotes did not warn us that our heavy knapsacks would pull us back. I stayed with my brother in the middle of the river, until a coyote returned and helped us. Thank God, no one in the group died.

When we got out of the river, we started running because it sounded like there were hundreds of dogs surrounding us. I kept falling down, and after a while, Border Patrol officers caught us. Some of the coyotes disappeared, and we gave ourselves up. We returned to Mexico.

Five and a half years ago, I tried another route – the desert. This time, I basically jumped over the border fence. The cops were a few feet away, but I managed to get across. A car picked us up in Nogales, Arizona, and took us to Phoenix.

Joseph plans on returning to Mexico in a few months. He says that he will not return to the United States unless he has a visa.

Mary, Guatemala

I crossed the border four years ago, but I can remember exactly what happened. We spent four nights in the desert. The first night was especially difficult. We were attacked and robbed by thieves on the Mexico side of the border, and I thought we would die. Most of us did not have many things.

There were 28 of us. We had to carry water and food. One woman in her 50s could not make it, so we left her.

I paid $5,000 to the coyote to bring me to Phoenix, Arizona. My husband was there before me. The bank in Guatemala gave me a loan to pay the coyote.

We all have stories. But many of us come because we need work.

David, Bolivia

David tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border five times.

During the first crossing, I stayed in Mexico for two weeks. The coyotes were dishonest and would not help us until we had a group of about 30 people.

I was caught four times. There were groups of immigrants, Border Patrol officers, and dogs. Some escaped – you have to be strong and faster than the dogs.

The fifth time was my last attempt. There were 25 of us. It was about 10pm and I saw lights flashing at us. We thought it was immigration. Only four of us escaped with the coyote. We hid until early morning. A truck picked us up and it took two hours to get to Texas. We were dropped off at a house in Texas.

I paid the coyote $12,500. The coyotes run a “chain” or “company”.

David flew from Bolivia to Nicaragua, where a coyote brought him to Mexico. In Mexico, David had another coyote.

It is sad that people go into debt. Sometimes they die. If a man dies along the way, his wife is left with the debt.

If the U.S. government would give us a work permit, this wouldn’t be happening. I’m not looking to become a U.S. citizen. I just want to work temporarily. I don’t think of spending my life here.

Immigrants contribute to the country. But they (Border Patrol) put us in handcuffs, and treated us like terrorists. We’re working to survive; we’re not doing anything wrong.

But God is great.

Every person has the right to bread. It doesn’t matter what your nationality is. We all come into the world with a purpose. We all want to survive.

When Border Patrol officers grab you, when we are being abused, God sees it all. He will respond with justice.

There is a deeper reason for why we come to the United States. We walk through the desert to help our families eat. There is a reason why a man leaves his family, there is a need for survival and there is obligation. I am here not because I want to be here. I need to be here. I have to make the sacrifices so my wife and daughters have enough to eat.

I ask Congress to put their hand on their heart and ask why are [migrants] coming? We need a way to create jobs in our countries. Our goal is not to break laws, people are multiplying but there are not enough jobs. The laws must change.

I’ve been in the United States for 3 years, and have just enough to sustain my family. I’m not getting rich here. Congress shouldn’t think that we’re taking money out of the United States.

I ask myself, “What have I really done?” I have no documents, sometimes I don’t work for 2 weeks, sometimes for 2 months. The little I earn, I send back to my family.

Pastor K, Capitol area

I enjoy being with the variety of immigrants. Having lived for 10 years in Mexico as a church planter, I can see both sides of the story, the bigger picture.

I hope to be a bridge, to walk with people, to advocate for people.
I’ve accompanied some immigrants to court. I’m not a lawyer! But the truth is people pay attention to me - a white, middle-class man. I’m using my place in society.

It is a challenge and a privilege to pastor this church. We’ve had members of our congregation deported. But we continue to walk with each other. That’s what the church ought to be doing.

More thoughts: Finding faith and family/what the church means

Isabel: The church is my second family.

Luisa, Mexico: I was depressed upon my arrival. I missed my family. But God showed me that I can find brothers and sisters here in church. I’ve come to love the church, and it is important for my spiritual life. I came with the desire to progress economically, but God has shown me, through the church, that He’s got a better palace for me. In the midst of trouble, I’ve grown spiritually. So I thank this country for that –that it caused me to grow closer to God.

Carlos, Bolivia: I’ve been in the United States for about 3 months. It was surprising to me that the church is supportive of immigrants. All immigrants come with spiritual needs, and the church is filling this need. It is helping the immigrant feel better. We are a family. Maybe the American Dream is left on one side, but we are drawn closer to God.

Joseph: I did not have a passion for God, though I grew up in a Christian home. I came for the American Dream. I’m getting ready to go back to Mexico without a social security number. But I have the greatest treasure of life --God; the greatest spiritual riches of all. I’ve experienced love in the church from brothers and sisters of the church. For that I am thankful.

Joseph was heartened to meet Americans working to improve immigration laws, when there are many who do not want immigrants here. For centuries, many have come to the United States as immigrants. Joseph expressed sadness to see the descendants of former immigrants not welcoming new immigrants.