Olmar Merida, 25, from San Sebastian in the San Marcos Department of Guatemala brought his daughter Angelie, 4, to the Casa del Migrante in Ciudad Juárez, after a long journey through Mexico. He received a humanitarian visa
“There’s no work, and if there is, it is only enough to buy food and that’s it,” he said. Back home, he lived in a small house with his grandparents, wife and two year-old son. He hopes to be able to assist his family in Guatemala with the costs of medical care, and to build a home there.
For Olmar, this was not the first time he made the trip through Mexico. That time he did not have his daughter with him. “I didn’t want to come again, but on the first trip, I borrowed money.” he said. The last time, he said he paid $10,500 for the services of a Coyote, which he has to pay back. Many Central Americans trying to cross into the United States take out high risk loans to pay for the services of a coyote because they are afraid to make the journey alone, where they are vulnerable to kidnapping and extortion. Many put their homes as collateral.
This time he is afraid that he will not be let in with his daughter because immigration told him he cannot enter the United States for five years after being deported.
If he is allowed into the United States, he intends to go to his aunt in Boston. His father also lives in Boston, however, he said he left the family 24 years ago, and has had infrequent contact with them. “He doesn’t help us any more.” He does intend to return to Guatemala, God willing.
Olmar Merida, 25, de San Sebastian, Departamento de San Marcos en Guatemala, trajo a su hija Angelie, 4, a la Casa del Migrante en Ciudad Juárez, después de un largo viaje por México. Recibió una visa humanitaria.
“No hay trabajo, y si lo hay, solamente alcance para comprar comida y es todo,” dijo él. En su país de origen vivía en una casa chica con sus abuelos, su esposa y su hijo de dos años. Espera poder ayudar a su familia en Guatemala con los costos médicos, y para construir una casa allá.
Para Olmar, esta no ha sido la primera vez que ha viajado por México. La primera vez no llevaba a su hija con él. “No quería volver a venir, pero la primera vez, tuve que pedir dinero prestado” dijo él. La última vez, dijo el que tuvo que pagar $10,500 por los servicios de un coyote, que tiene que pagar. Muchos Centroamericanos que intentan cruzar a los Estados Unidos, sacan un préstamo de alto riesgo para pagar los servicios de un coyote porque tienen miedo hacer el viaje solos, donde son vulnerables a secuestros y extorsión. Muchos ponen sus casas como garantía de pago.
Esta vez, teme que no lo dejen entrar con su hija porque inmigración le dijo que no podía entrar a los Estados Unidos por cinco años después de haber sido deportado.
Si lo dejan entrar a Estados Unidos, tiene la intención de ir a Boston con su tía. Su padre también vive en Boston, sin embargo, dice el que su padre dejó la familia hace 24 años, y no ha tenido mucha comunicación con ellos. “El ya no nos ayuda.” dijo él.
Él tiene la intención de volver a Guatemala, si Dios se lo permite.
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