Like so many people who choose to journey to the U.S. for a better life, Cinthya arrived at her decision after considering all possibilities. Amid great uncertainty and with limited resources, a central question is weighing the potential benefits of crossing against its financial, emotional, and physical costs. With prosecutions on the rise, this already fraught scenario can become even more complicated, creating further challenges and obstacles. When Cinthya met José and fell in … [Read more...]
Emmanuel’s Story: Deported from Family After Years in the U.S.
Emmanuel—father of three, devoted husband, business owner, and Phoenix resident for 13 years—was recently deported back to his native Mexico, a country that is no longer home, and far from the life and family he has created. Now, his family is shattered and he is desperately trying to figure out how to reunite with them. Hailing from a small town in central Mexico, Emmanuel could not find work to support his parents and himself in 2006 after graduating from high school, so he decided to … [Read more...]
Abraham’s Story: A Family Escapes Gang Violence
Witness to his father's murder in Honduras when he was one, Abraham's life was in grave danger. The gang responsible sent a threatening note, and their brutal crime proved their seriousness even more than any words on a page. Abraham's mother knew--the only thing to do was flee. Abraham is two-and-a-half years old. A friendly, spunky, and observant toddler, he likes turtles, grapes, and looking at photos of his two older brothers on his mom’s phone, particularly the one of his 8-year-old … [Read more...]
The Kino Teens: A Reflection and an Invitation
The Kino Teens: A Reflection and an Invitation Yanula Avila Kyriakis first encountered the KBI as a student at Lourdes Catholic School in Nogales, AZ when her parents became involved in the KBI’s work, and later joined the Kino Teens chapter at Salpointe High School in Tucson. Now a senior at Santa Catalina High School in Monterey, CA with plans to study international relations at university, Yanula interned with the KBI this past summer, writing a helpful guide for students who are … [Read more...]
Araceli and Alicia: The Perils of a Desert Crossing
Araceli and Alicia, sisters from Mexico City, left their home to pursue greater opportunities, earn money to go to school, and escape a cycle of poverty. Instead they found harsh desert conditions, sexual harassment, and an impasse. But they also found reasons for hope and acts of kindness. In Mexico City, Araceli (26) worked as a nanny, and her sister Alicia (30) had a job in retail. Each made about $200US a month, not enough to live on in an urban area, and certainly not enough to stay … [Read more...]