Exodus North

Recently, the large influx of immigrants from Central American countries to the U.S. has attracted attention, mostly because a large number of them are unaccompanied children trying to cross the U.S. border illegally. They come with the misconception that because of their young age, they will receive preferential treatment from immigration and be allowed to stay with family members, who are illegal residents [in the U.S.]. However, the U.S. government has stated that regardless of their age, they will be deported back to their countries of origin promptly. Presently, many of them are in shelters awaiting deportation.

Misunderstandings could cost these immigrant children, who have risked everything to get to the U.S., their lives. Human traffickers, who make a living out of this sort of business, do not offer guarantees and ask for large sums of money, which of course are non-refundable if immigration captures and deports them.

It is sad to see how people decide to leave Guatemala because of the lack of opportunities to get ahead. It is even sadder to see children risking their lives — perhaps led by their parent’s misplaced expectations, desperation, or simply because they want to be reunited with their families — in search of a better future.

It is imperative that Central American governments take matters into their own hands. I think that it is important to develop information campaigns addressing the risks of illegal immigration and the small probability of successfully residing legally in the U.S. in order to reduce the incentive of for illegal immigration, especially for those who believe the contrary. This [step] can be done by the government and the media, who can reach the majority of the country’s citizens through the radio and television.

Furthermore, we should work to make sure that the government is able to offer social services like education and health to children, who should be in school learning and not risking their lives. If Guatemala doesn’t invest in its children and young people, the future of the country will be worset off, so let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.

However, I have always believed that people should have the freedom to move from one country to another because in reality nobody chooses where they are born. Even though I believe that the U.S. should have more flexible immigration policies, I also think that Guatemala should do the same, considering that it isn’t that easy for foreigners to immigrate to our country. If we are demanding more flexibility, then we should be more flexible as well.

I really wish for a world without borders, a dream I hope will become true someday — maybe not today, but in the near future. In the meantime, we should work to build a better country, where nobody is forced to immigrate due to lack of opportunities.