Poverty, Lack of Opportunity Primary Reasons for Migration

Immigrants travel long distances on foot to achieve the “American dream.” Many die on the road or are maimed.

Poverty and lack of opportunities in Central American countries, particularly in El Salvador, have obliged thousands of people to risk their lives and try to reach the United States illegally in spite of the dangers.

It is said that Central America is one of the regions whence the populations emigrate seeking better living conditions. And it is the lack of governmental policies, decent employment opportunities and economic uncertainty that are the most common reasons forcing them to make a decision that could be compared to a challenge with death.

The report presented in mid-December 2008 “The crisis of Human rights on the southern border of Mexico” from the Foundation for the Due Process of Law (FDPL), the center of Human Rights “Fray Matias de Cordova” and the Home of Mercy, warns that “the migration phenomenon on the Southern Mexican border has had an impact that has exceeded the measures adopted on a federal level.”

Two specific cases of this drama are those of Francisco Beltran Bonilla and Juan Jose Cordova Perez, two Salvadorans who decided to take on the trip, with very few dollars in their pockets, leaving their loved ones and ignoring the thousands of dangers that they would face on taking on the path to achieve the “American dream.” Fate was not on their side.

Both feel alone, sharing a harsh reality: to be far from their families and to face the problems of all those who emigrate illegally and pass through Chiapas, in the southern zone of Mexico, where problems are frequent.

Francisco, originally from Santo Tomas, department of San Salvador and Juan Jose, from San Juan Opico, department of La Libertad, suffers in flesh and blood the blows of the lives of migrants. The lack of opportunities led Francisco to leave his country two years ago, and two weeks ago it was Juan Jose’s turn. Currently they are sharing their time in the hostel named “Jesus The Good Shepherd,” located in Tapachula.

Francisco lives in San Louis Potosi, Mexico, a temporary residence with a special permit; but in these times he is in a hostel in order to “at the beginning of the new year resolve my migration situation and be able to choose FM3 and in this way be able to stay and live their permanently,” he warns.

This man, who was hit in 2006 by a train in the southern part of Mexico in his attempt to reach the United States, lost one of his legs, which has forced him to give up his attempt to reach the United States, for now he has compromised to stay in Mexico.

He says that he does not return to El Salvador because he wants to overcome, “but what I ask the Mexican authorities is that they grant me a FM3 (a migration permit) to be able to work here, I am living here with my sister and I am a carpenter. I feel part of this environment,” he comments.

Juan Jose on the other hand arrived in this region two weeks ago (Dec. 12), but his attempt to arrive to “the other side” was blocked when he was assaulted in the area of the old train station, in Tapachula, Chiapas.

“They stole everything and they struck one of my feet. Unfortunately I didn’t succeed in getting a response from the consular authorities of my country so that they give me a permit,” Juan Jose said, in reference to the same benefit which his compatriot has been seeking since two years ago, but with the difference that he has just arrived in the country.

“I had planned to leave for the United States on Dec. 20, but with a friend we left before, it was Friday (Dec. 12) and since Monday I have been here in a hostel,” he emphasized, while adding that his sole objective is to be able to continue his route.

He complained about the indifference of the Salvadoran consular authorities.

“I want their support and that they help me to get the migration benefit,” he said. “The only thing that I want is to be able to achieve my objective, just tell my parents that I was able to pass and can come back with a little money, since I left El Salvador with only $20 and it is not possible that I return worse off, tell my parents that I love them,” he said in a broken voice amidst tears.

For his part, Nelson Cuellar, Salvadoran consul of Tapachula, warns that his office is working together with local authorities and Mexican NGOs, with the goal of protecting the rights of migrants. In fact, he says that this consulate is the one that gives the most support to compatriots, and that he doesn’t understand the criticism of Juan Jose.

“I want to clarify this very painful situation, because the truth is not being told, this man came to the consulate to expose a different situation,” in reference to the case of Juan Jose, who according to the Salvadoran consul could have been influenced by a third party.

The Salvadoran authorities do not discount that this is a technique of immigrants, in the sense of being “advised” by others to seek permits that have greater requirements, so Cuellar asked that they not be deceived and know Mexican laws. Before seeking benefits, “there are requirements to be met”. At the same time he said that an investigation has been requested.

Both stories are part of the daily drama that thousands of Central and South Americans live, who risk their lives arriving towards Tapachlua to walk from there 300 kilometers – often times at night- and to take a train in the town of Arriaga.

The hostel “Jesus the Good Shepherd”, run by Olga Sanchez Martinez, a woman who in the last two decades has dedicated herself to those in need, is their temporary home.

In 2008, Olga says that she received 2,500 Salvadorans, in addition to the thousands of Central Americans who arrive there. Olga insists that although the economic situation in Central America is difficult, people must realize that “Chiapas is hell for migrants, they are coming to face something very difficult,” she expressed.