When Marisela arrived at the comedor at the end of last summer after a smuggler left her behind, she had already endured domestic violence, threats to her life, and separation from her young daughter in Guatemala. Despite these spirit-crushing experiences, her perseverance and the KBI’s support have helped her continue to seek a brighter future. Marisela, like all who turn to the KBI, has a heart-breaking story that led her to our doorstep. In her home country of Guatemala, she faced … [Read more...]
Juan’s Story: The Struggles of Deportation and Family Separation
Juan was deported to Nogales, Sonora two years ago, and now lives separated from his U.S.-based family by a border and from his relatives in Chiapas by thousands of miles. Struggling to make ends meet and missing his wife and children, he occupies that in-between state so common to the deported, a life with uncertainty, vulnerability, resilience, and hope. When Juan was deported to Mexico in 2015, he had lived in the U.S. for 20 years, working as an agricultural laborer harvesting oranges, … [Read more...]
María’s Story: The Toll of Poverty and Family Separation
U.S. detention and deportation policies have long been the source of separation for immigrant families seeking to be together. María crossed the U.S.–Mexico border twice to visit her father who she has not seen in a decade, but it is not clear how or when that reunion will take place. María came to the KBI in mid-August, after serving 30 days in a U.S. prison and being deported to Nogales, Sonora. She hasn’t seen her dad in 10 years, and her goal was to live with him in Atlanta, work to send … [Read more...]
Edwin’s Story
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...]
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...]