The Dangerous Trek: Problems Migrants Face During Their Journeys

July 17, 2011

Much of what readers learn from Sonia’s novel is about the dangers that Hispanic migrants risk while they attempt to make their way to the United States in hopes for a better life for themselves, for their children, and for their families. As migrants make their trek, they hope to avoid being robbed, brutal injuries from riding on freight trains, rapings, beatings, and kidnappings, which are just some of the problems that many migrants face.

In a Fox News Latino article about a kidnapping of at least 80 migrants in Veracruz, we see that these problems persist though “the government says it is ‘lowering crime rates and doing a lot to combat kidnappings…” These migrants, including women and children, were abducted off a freight train by gunmen with three large SUVs and taken to an unknown location. This is just one case of many kidnappings, and “at least 11,333 migrants…were kidnapped in Mexico between April and September 2010…” This pressing issue leaves government officials with a lot of work to do as far as how to control these criminal gangs who are performing such violent actions. Read more about this article here.

This article, along with Enrique’s Journey, vividly portray the unimaginable experiences migrants face as they journey through Central America and Mexico. And to think, some migrants fail to make it to the United States time and time again, but continue to attempt such a risky quest. Sometimes you wonder, is it all really worth it? This seems to be a question throughout Sonia’s novel, whether or not it is worth risking your life and in many cases leaving your loved ones behind.

Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments on these issues.

Jessica Waala
Undergraduate Student