Adan Vasquez, 27, came to the US-Mexico border over a 20-day journey with his son Davis Vasquez, 8, from San Marcos department in Guatemala in search of a better life. “The government doesn’t help us, and we the people make sacrifices,” he said of the quality of life in his country. Raising four children with the measly income of 50 quetzal (~$6.75) per day, had become too difficult for him, especially when the work doesn’t come every day. Adan said most of his income would come doing day labor cleaning cornfields and doing odd jobs in agriculture. Sometimes he wouldn’t have work for a whole week.
Recently he had a job paying 800 quetzal ($100) per month, when he was threatened by an extortionist that his son would be taken away if he didn’t pay a sum of money. He would leave behind his wife and three other children in the small house which is shared with extended family.
Adan and Davis spent six days in migration detention. After staying a night in the church hall of the Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla, New Mexico, he would make his way to Alabama where his brother lives.
After receiving food and shelter in the Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla, Adan and Davis would take a bus to Alabama to be with his brother.
Adán Vásquez, 27, llegó a la frontera de US – México en una jornada de 20 días con su hijo Davis Vásquez, 8, desde Departamento de San Marcos, Guatemala en busca de una vida mejor.
“El gobierno no nos ayuda, y nosotros la gente, tenemos que hacer sacrificios,” dijo él, sobre la calidad de vida en su país. Criar a cuatro hijos con una miseria de ingreso de 50 quetzales (~$6.75) al día, tuvo que haber sido muy difícil para él, especialmente cuando no hay trabajo todos los días. Adán nos comentó que su ingreso viene de días laborales como limpiando el maizal o haciendo trabajos ocasionales en agricultura. A veces no trabajaba una semana entera.
Recientemente tenia un trabajo ganando 800 quetzales ($100) por mes, cuando fue amenazado por un extorsionista, que le quitarian su hijo si no pagaba una cantidad de dinero. Dejaria atras a su esposa y a tres hijos en una casa chica compartida por unos parientes.
Adán y Davis estuvieron 6 días en detención migratoria. Después de una noche en la sala de la iglesia de la Basílica de San Albino en Mesilla, Nuevo México, haría camino a Alabama en donde vive su hermano.
Después de haber recibido comida y albergue in la Basílica de San Albino en Mesilla, Adán y Davis tomarían un autobús para Alabama para estar con su hermano.
The Faces of Immigration Project is a 40 Day photo journal series used to highlight the stories of all Immigrants. The project is meant to shed light on some of the many reasons people have for immigrating to the U.S. Statements and stories have been edited for content, clarity, and brevity and may not reflect the entirety of an Immigrant’s reasons for immigrating to the United States.
By Paul Ratje