I watched as a family from El Salvador crawled under a section of the fence (in New Mexico) that’s currently being replaced, and crossed the border from Mexico into the U.S. It took about 60 seconds before Border Patrol swooped in and scooped them up. Somewhere along the line they were (erroneously) told that if they make it to the U.S. they’ll be granted asylum. So, they willingly gave up and went with the Border Patrol agents who turned them over to ICE.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to speak with them, but a journey of a thousands miles usually begins with either desperation or a really good reason for leaving their lives, their home, their family, and everything they know. That reason could’ve been anything from escaping violence or simply the search for una vida mejor. I wish them the best, and hope that someday they find what they were looking for. They’ll certainly be in my thoughts.

Melissa L.