Distribution of humanitarian information
TSF works with migrant centers across the migratory route, in Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico, to share essential information for people on the move and empower them to make informed decisions and try to stay safe during their journey.
Can you tell us about your journey so far?
We left Venezuela for Colombia, and from Colombia to Panama. We crossed both jungles – the part in Colombia and the part in Panama – with my husband. Unfortunately, he suffered two fractures, in his fibula and ankle. I left the jungle before he did, since we had no food left for our daughter.
He stayed there for about ten days, deep in the jungle, until he was able to get out. He made it to Panama, and from there we left. We went through Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala—all those countries, until we arrived in Chiapas. And that's when our dilemma began again, because he was no longer physically well. He had already had an operation in Costa Rica. We were traveling with a wheelchair, and I was taking care of both of them, since our daughter was so small. It took us about a month to get here.
[When you’re hurt like that,] you can’t really run like you used to anymore, you can't do physical activities the way you used to, right? You have to be more careful. But he's doing a little better. He works and everything, but always with caution.
How do you feel about the shelter?
Good! Good, thank God. It's a beautiful house, as you can see. It's almost too pristine. The food is very good, everything the house provides us with is good. There are rules we have to follow here in the house. And obviously, anyone who doesn't follow them has to leave. It's not that they're kicked out; they leave on their own because of their own irresponsibility.
Did you see the screens?
Yes, of course. One of the screens explained the process to become a refugee here, in Mexico. In fact, using that same screen, I got my papers in order here with the lawyer. And thank God, we got our permanent residency in six months. We’re refugees here in Mexico right now.
So you didn’t know it was possible [to apply for refugee status]?
No, no. I really didn’t. I didn’t know, until one day I said, “okay, I’m going to sit down for a minute and see what the screen says.” And I was like, “Whoa.”
So I went to the lawyer, and we started the paperwork. We started with the forms, then the CURP [Unique Population Registry Code, a unique identity code for both citizens and residents of Mexico], then the humanitarian visa. And just a few days ago, they called me for the final interview, the one that decides whether you get asylum or not. And thank God, I passed. We received it a month ago; I went to pick up the permanent card with my husband and my daughter.
“Using the [information] screen, I got my papers in order here with the lawyer and we got our permanent residency in six months.”
I’m so happy, thank God, about the permanent residency. Because my biggest fear here was that you could go out without your papers, and immigration could show up and they’d deport you.
I’ve been here at the shelter for almost a year now. During that time, what I’ve seen are the risks people face when they try to ride the train. They think the train is easy. I’ve never gotten on it and I don’t plan to, but I have seen people who’ve come here to the infirmary with their feet cut off, or who were lucky enough to fall and the train didn’t run them over, or rip off an arm or anything. But they were still hurt, you know? So I think we should talk about the risks of the train. Because that train doesn’t stop here. There have been many people here with children trying to get on the train.
*[Name and some details were modified for privacy and safety.]
