Carlos Humberto Manuel-Sandoval, 28, and his son Carlos David Manuel-Jose, 4, from the Suchitepequez department of Guatemala arrived at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral after spending four days in migration detention.
He worked in agriculture cutting cane, an extremely difficult job in the lowlands of Guatemala, earning about 50 Quetzales ($6.50) per day toiling in the heat. “It was a daily suffering,” he described about his work which would last six months for the harvest.
“Sometimes because you make a small error, they will deduct from your pay,” this would mean he would only earn 30 or even 20 Quetzales per day ($3.89-$2.59).
He has three kids and his wife to take care of on such a small budget. For these reasons he made the difficult decision to leave his wife and kids behind to give them a better life working in the states.
Carlos, however, is used to work, and providing for his family. He started working when he was just a boy. “11 years old I started cutting cane under the sun,” he said so he could help his mother make ends meet as the oldest of six kids.
“My father abandoned us,” he said. He was only six when his father left with another woman. “But then, he made amends and started calling us.” When Carlos was 13, he started communicating with his father, who would send the family money from the United States. “As time goes by, you grow up. There are things in life that happen, and we compromise, so I forgave him.”
His father now lives in Maryland, who he has not seen in 17 years, “Im happy and excited because I will be able to see him in person,” he said. His father helped him pay for his trip.
Him and his son suffered during their trip through Mexico. They were caught by Mexican authorities and locked up for four days in a structure with 350 people. “I didn’t eat. I saved it for him,” motioning to 4-year-old Carlos wearing a new hat he had received from the volunteers at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral.
“If we leave our country it’s because of the poverty we have there,” he said. “We don’t come because we are criminals, drug addicts or gangsters—No,” he explained shaking his head. “We came to work. That is why I came, to give my family what I didn’t have.”
Carlos Humberto Manuel-Sandoval, 28, y su hijo Carlos David Manuel-Jose, 4, del Departamento de Suchitepequez en Guetamala, llegaron a la Catedral del Inmaculado Corazón de María, después de haber estado cuatro días en detención de inmigración.
Trabajaba en la agricultura cortando cana, un trabajo extremadamente dificultoso en las tierras bajas de Guatemala, ganando mas o menos 50 Quetzales ($6.50) al dia trabajando en el calor. “Era sufrimiento diario,” describio el sobre su trabajo que duraba sies meses para la cosecha.
“A Veces por un error mínimo, te descontaban de tu pago,” esto quiere decir que solo ganaba 30 o incluso 20 Quetzales al día ($3.89-$2.59). El tiene tres hijos y una esposa que mantener con un sueldo tan bajo.
Carlos, sin embargo, está acostumbrado a trabajar, y mantener a su familia. El empezó a trabajar desde que era niño. “A los 11 años comencé a cortar caña bajo el sol,” para poder ayudar a su madre para que les alcanzara el dinero, ya que era el mayor de seis hijos.
“Mi padre nos abandono,” dijo el. El solo tenia seis anos cuando su padre se fue con otra mujer. “Pero después, hicimos las paces y comenzamos a llamarnos” Cuando Carlos tenía 13, empezo a tener comuncacion con su padre, quien mandaba dinero desde los Estado Unidos. “Conforme pasa el tiempo, vas creciendo, Hay cosas en la vida que pasan, y llegamos a un termino medio, y lo perdone,”
Su padre ahora vive en Maryland, quien no a visto desde hace 17 anos. “Estoy contento y emocionado porque lo voy a poder ver en persona,” dijo el.
Su hijo y el suffrieron durante el viaje por Mexico. Fueron detenidos por las authoridades mexicanas and los enceraron por cuatro dias en un edificio con 350 personas.
“Yo no comía. Lo guardaba para el,” señalando a Carlos de 4 años, que usaba una cachucha nueva que había recibido de los voluntarios de la Catedral del Inmaculado Corazon de Maria.
“Si dejamos nuestro país es por la pobreza y el crimen que tenemos allá,” dijo el. “No venimos porque somos criminales, drogadictos, y pandilleros-No,” el explico negándolo con la cabeza.
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