Edwin Vazquez, Guatemala Entrevista con la Hermana Engracia, 16 de agosto 2017 A long time ago—in 2002—my brother and I tried to come [to the US]. I am from Guatemala. My name is Edwin Vazquez, I'm Guatemalan, and I've been traveling on the train. I seek a better… [I’m migrating for economic reasons]. I seek a good job, a normal salary (that’s objective, of course) in order to support my family and myself. Right now I just have one child, a little girl—she is about to turn 11 years … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2017
Enrique’s Story: The Toll of Detention and Family Separation
Enrique was deported and arrived at the KBI recently after 35 years in the United States, the last two spent in detention. Now, he faces an uncertain future as he pursues a visa to reunite with his children and the grandchildren he has never met. Born in Mexico, Enrique has lived most of his 55 years in the U.S.—working, marrying, and raising two sons, both U.S. citizens. Two years ago, he was arrested and detained; this past month he was deported to Nogales, Sonora. Not knowing anyone … [Read more...]
Natural Disasters: How Tragedy Travels Across Borders
Recent hurricanes and earthquakes have reminded us how devastating climate events can be for entire communities, cities, and countries. But in the aftermath of these natural disasters, it is the most vulnerable—the poor, the elderly, the undocumented—who get hit hardest of all, and often lack the resources to fully recover what they have lost. In the last two months, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and two earthquakes in Mexico—one in southern Mexico, one more centrally located—have left major … [Read more...]
Standing up for Refugees
With the recent announcement that the Administration plans to decrease refugee admissions to the lowest in U.S. history, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has sent out an urgent call to stand with refugees and advocate for a minimum of 75,000 annual admissions. With an unprecedented number of people forced to leave their homelands due to war, genocide, gang violence, and climate events, it is more critical than ever to offer safety and welcome to refugees. The KBI asks that you join … [Read more...]
KBI Media Report: September 2017
This month, our report includes stories about the possible reduction in the number of refugees admitted to the U.S., access to legal aid for detainees, and the worrisome detainment of pregnant women in Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Lowered Refugee Quota: With a deadline on the horizon, the Trump Administration is considering a reduction in refugee admissions to less than 50,000, the lowest since 1980 and less than half the Obama Administration’s 2016 recommended cap … [Read more...]