Migrants Coming to the U.S. - Seeking Refuge Thomas E. Franklin

Migrants Make Grueling Journey North

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Driven by dire economic conditions and rampant violence at home, and a desire by many to reunite with relatives already in the United States, thousands of migrants from Central America make the long and dangerous journey through Mexico each year. Most seek asylum, but the wait times for their cases can take many months or years.

In 2017, President Trump implemented increased vetting for refugees, which slowed the process of admissions. Furthermore, the Trump administration reduced the number of refugees the U.S. accepts annually. As a result, many attempt to come into the U.S. illegally instead.

In 2018, Central American migrant caravans made huge headlines. Large groups were crossing the Mexican border to make the long arduous journey north to the U.S. border with the idea that there is safety in numbers. But it is also physically demanding, especially for families with young children who walk for hours at a time in the blistering hot Mexican sun.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/14/2017: A migrant walks along the railroad tracks in Guadalajara where the Mexican freight train known as La Bestia (the Beast) that is utilized by U.S. bound migrants on their journey to the United States to more quickly traverse the length of Mexico. This mode of travel is extremely dangerous and illegal. Guadalajara, roughly the midway between Central American and the U.S. border.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/14/2017: A group of Honduran migrants make camp along the railroad tracks in Guadalajara, roughly the midway between Central American and the U.S., along the route of Mexican freight trains that are utilized by U.S.- bound migrants to more quickly traverse the length of Mexico, also known as La Bestia and El tren de los desconocidos. This mode of travel is extremely dangerous and illegal.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/14/2017: Honduran migrant Adolfo Vega Garcia rubs his head and appears dazed and bloodied, after he fell while running to board the moving Mexican freight train known as La Bestia (the Beast) that is utilized by U.S. bound migrants to more quickly traverse the length of Mexico. This mode of travel is extremely dangerous and illegal. He was with a group of Honduran migrants that made a camp along the railroad tracks in Guadalajara, roughly the midway between Central American and the U.S.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

TECATE, CA 03/12/2019: The dry arid mountains of Northern Mexico, see form San Diego County. This is an area where undocumented immigrants might cross over into the U.S.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/11/2017: Enrique, a migrant from Honduras, uses a map given to him by a local shelter in Guadalajara which outlines the various freight train routes migrants can use on their journey to the United States to more quickly traverse the length of Mexico. This mode of travel is extremely dangerous and illegal. Guadalajara, roughly the midway between Central American and the U.S. border. Enrique says this this his 4th attempt to make it into the U.S., previous attempts resulted in being deported back to Honduras. If he makes it across, he plans to look for his a half-sister living in Trenton, NJ.

The journey to the United States is often long and involves several steps. Before migrants can get on the train they must travel from their homes through Central America to the Mexican border. Crossing the border is relatively easy as, even with increased surveillance, it is lightly patrolled and wide sections remain porous. Once in Mexico, migrants must then travel on foot or by vehicle to the nearest train terminal, where, usually after paying bribes or protection fees, they climb atop a railcar to start the first leg of their journey north. The travelers frequently change train lines along the way, often stopping at shelters run by civil-society organizations. Once they near the U.S. border migrants disembark and pay a smuggler (known as a “coyote”) to enter the United States. As the trains are subject to inspection and surveillance close to the border, it is nearly impossible for a migrant to cross the U.S.-Mexico border aboard the train.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/11/2017: Enrique, a migrant from Honduras, waits for the right moment to jump aboard a moving freight train, known as La Bestia, in Guadalajara. Migrants use the freight trains on their journey to the United States to more quickly traverse the length of Mexico. This mode of travel is extremely dangerous and illegal. Guadalajara, roughly the midway between Central American and the U.S. border. Enrique says this this his 4th attempt to make it into the U.S., previous attempts resulted in being deported back to Honduras. If he makes it across, he plans to look for his a half-sister living in Trenton, NJ.

The journey to the United States is often long and involves several steps. Before migrants can get on the train they must travel from their homes through Central America to the Mexican border. Crossing the border is relatively easy as, even with increased surveillance, it is lightly patrolled and wide sections remain porous. Once in Mexico, migrants must then travel on foot or by vehicle to the nearest train terminal, where, usually after paying bribes or protection fees, they climb atop a railcar to start the first leg of their journey north. The travelers frequently change train lines along the way, often stopping at shelters run by civil-society organizations. Once they near the U.S. border migrants disembark and pay a smuggler (known as a “coyote”) to enter the United States. As the trains are subject to inspection and surveillance close to the border, it is nearly impossible for a migrant to cross the U.S.-Mexico border aboard the train.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 Migrants gather for a pre-lunch prayer inside the dining area of the FM4 Paso Libre in Guadalajara. The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

TIJUANA, MEXICO 03-09-2019: Isabela Murillo, with her sons Jose, 14, and Mateo, 3, of Honduras, sit on the floor of a cafe in Tijuana that offers free food to migrants. Along with her other son Patric, not pictured, they just arrived at the border after traveling for two months in a migrant caravan from Central America. The Border Angels volunteers brought them clean clothes, shoes, and hygiene products then helped them get to the nearby shelter, where they would spend the night before trying to apply for asylum in the U.S.

TIJUANA, MEXICO 03-09-2019: Patric Murillo, 12, of Honduras, sits on the floor of a cafe in Tijuana that offers free food to migrants. He just arrived with his mother and two brothers after traveling for two months in a migrant caravan from Honduras. The Border Angels volunteers then brought them clean clothes, hygiene products and directions to the nearby shelter.

For decades, migrants have made the trip north to the U.S. border by stowing away atop freight trains, to more quickly and inexpensively traverse the length of Mexico. The ride aboard the trains, known colloquially as La Bestia, The Beast, or the Train of Death, is harrowing with the specter of amputation or death if you fall or get pushed. Over the years, many have lost limbs or their lives. Migrants say the key is to grab hold of a railing or ladder and hoist aboard without losing grip.

Migrants are also often subjected to extortion and violence at the hands of gangs and organized crime groups that control the rail lines north, and prey on the helpless. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), an estimated half-million migrants ride La Bestia each year, which runs along multiple lines. This mode of travel is also illegal. Central Americans require a visa to travel through Mexico, which most cannot afford, plus there are no ticketed passenger train routes traversing all of Mexico.

MPI reports that migrants riding La Bestia are likely to be among the poorest and most desperate, and prior to the recent rise in migrant caravans, La Bestia has proven to be the only viable option to reach the north. Those hitching a ride on the freights are also less likely to have contacts in the U.S. who can connect them to trusted smugglers, or help fund the journey. Fees for smugglers, known as “coyotes” go as high as $10,000 per person, far beyond the means of most migrants. Others consider drug smuggling for cartels, or prostitution, in exchange for transport. Despite the danger and inherent risk, hitching onto a freight as a stowaway is often the only option.

Mario

Guadalajara, Mexico

July 2017

A 25-year old Honduran named “Mario,” says he first came to the U.S. illegally as a 10-year old boy. He lived with his older brother, went to school for a while, learned some basic English and went to work on farms in Mississippi and Florida as a laborer.

When I met him in July 2017, he was in Guadalajara, roughly in the center of Mexico. He was staying at FM4 Paso Libre, a popular and resourceful shelter for migrants and their families run by volunteers. He had recently returned home to Honduras to help his ailing father, and n was attempting to return to Florida, where he had a job and a son. After traveling for over a month, he was now resting up at FM4. He made friends with a group of Hondurans he met at the shelter; he said he was ready to leave FM4 to continue north.

Mario said he was not deterred by anti-immigrant attitudes in the U.S. despite the recent crackdown on undocumented migrants entering in the U.S. He loved living in the U.S., and he had no choice but to cross illegally if he ever wanted to see his son again, Mario said.

The Hondurans set out in the middle of the night plotting to catch La Bestia. Mario said they had no train schedules, but they heard that it might pass through GDL that morning around 3 AM. They headed towards a spot in an industrial area where the train often slowed. He carried nothing more than a knapsack with water, snacks, and some personal items.

Hours passed as they walked along the tracks, anxiously, through gang-controlled areas where wild dogs roamed menacingly. The tracks were littered with debris and broken glass. Finally, they heard La Bestia coming. The rails lit up from the oncoming headlights, the fast-moving train was upon them quickly. They stepped up at arm’s length from the passing rail cars, scanning each passing car, looking for a ladder to grab onto. The sound was deafening. But on this night, the train was moving too fast, and it passed without any of the migrants able to get aboard. Mario said afterwards it was too dangerous. They walked some more, before setting up camp on the tracks and waiting for the next freight to come through.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07-13-2017: A group of Honduran migrants walk along the railroad tracks in Guadalajara, roughly the midway between Central American and the U.S. looking for a position to jump onto the trains, known as The Beast. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 A group of Honduran men make campfire along the railroad tracks in Guadalajara, where wild dogs and gang members lurk in the shadows, as they continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving the nearby FM4 shelter, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they wait to jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 Mario, a migrant from Honduras, has the stars and stripes from the national Honduran flag shaved into his hair. He had been staying in the FM4 Paso Libre shelter in Guadalajara, and now he's preparing to leave FM4 to continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving FM4 at night, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they can jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 Mario, a migrant from Honduras, has the stars and stripes from the national Honduran flag shaved into his hair. He is covering his face as he says a silent prayer before dinner in the FM4 Paso Libre shelter in Guadalajara, and now he's preparing to leave FM4 to continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving FM4 at night, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they can jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 Migrants gather are served a hot lunch at FM4 Paso Libre in Guadalajara. The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 Mario, a migrant from Honduras who has been staying in the FM4 Paso Libre in Guadalajara, says goodbye to some friends he made at the shelter before leaving the shelter with a small group of Honduran men to continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving FM4 at night, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they can jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07-13-2017: A Honduran migrant makes a silent prayer before departing the FM4 Paso Libre migrant shelter in Guadalajara, continuing on the hazardous journey from Central America to the U.S. border aboard the freight train known as The Beast. Here they have a chance to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer a place to sleep, clean clothes, medical attention, and legal and psychological counseling.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 A group of Honduran men walk through Guadalajara towards the rail road tracks to continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving the nearby FM4 shelter, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they can jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 A group of Honduran men walk through the streets of Guadalajara heading towards the railroad tracks to continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving the nearby FM4 shelter, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they can jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 A group of Honduran men take a break along the railroad tracks in Guadalajara, where wild dogs and gang members lurk in the shadows, as they continue on the journey to the U.S. border. After leaving the nearby FM4 shelter, the men walked along the railroad tracks to a position where they wait to jump on board La Bestia, the moving freight train known as The Beast.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO 07/13/2017 A group of Honduran men take positions along the railroad tracks preparing to jump on board the fast moving freight train known as The Beast. The men wait for a slow down and then run on the rocky gravel alongside the moving train looking for a boxcar that has a ladder to grab ahold of and hoist themselves to board the train. La Bestia (the Beast) is utilized by U.S. bound migrants to more quickly, and at no cost, to traverse the length of Mexico. This mode of travel is extremely dangerous and illegal.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a half a million Central American immigrants ride atop La Bestia during their long and perilous journey through Mexico to the U.S. The migrants often must latch onto the moving freights, which run along multiple lines, carry products north for export, and must ride atop the moving trains, facing physical dangers that range from amputation to death if they fall or are pushed. Beyond the dangers of the trains themselves, Central American migrants are subject to extortion and violence at the hands of the gangs and organized-crime groups that control the routes north.

The migrant shelter provides a clean and safe place for migrants to rest, wash and eat, while volunteers from non-governmental organizations offer clean clothes, medical attention, and free legal and psychological counseling.

M4 Paso Libre was started by a group of students in 2007 and opened its first kitchen and day shelter in 2010. The nonprofit is a member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), assists approximately 8,000 migrants each year, and relies on regular donations and hundreds of volunteers to support the migrants who pass through.

MEXICALI, MEXICO: About a week after he left Guadalajara, Mario took this photograph with a camera phone he borrowed and shared via Facebook messenger. His crew rode the trains for a week and before arriving near the U.S. border.

TIJUANA, MEXICO 03-13-2019: A Honduran migrant named Javier shows a a group he was traveling with getting on board La Bestia in Central Mexico. He travelled for two months in a migrant caravan from Honduras to the U.S. border

After that night, I kept in touch with Mario via Facebook. Mario and his crew got on La Bestia the next day, reaching the border about a week later. He then spent the next few months living in the Mexican border towns near Mexicali plotting his next move. He occasionally sent messages and photos to me via Facebook whenever he had access to a phone or computer, but then I lost track of him for many weeks. It turns out he crossed over into California illegally sometime in late 2018, and made it up to Los Angeles, before being deported back to Honduras by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where he currently lives.