A memorable instance occurred during the previous summer when a native from Guatemala began to feel a sense of belonging in Missouri. He, his wife, and their toddler were among a jovial crowd that spent a day meandering down a river in mid-Missouri on an assortment of canoes and kayaks. In a heartfelt recollection in Spanish, he called the experience ‘splendid,’ making them feel accepted as they enjoyed the scenery. Sadly, such moments of joy are now clouded by fear. Adhering to a life confined to work and essential outings, this family lives in constant trepidation, as if they’re wanted fugitives.
Half a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, the relentless crackdown on undocumented immigrants has heightened. There’s a surge in law enforcement agencies, including the ever-busy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, collaborating to locate, detain, and deport thousands of inhabitants nationwide, leading many to live in obscurity. The Guatemalan family’s life is mirrored in the crowded waiting room of the local ICE office. The family has already suffered the deportation of a relative.
The administration under Trump has expanded travel bans and detention facilities and has set lofty daily arrest targets. Elected government officials highly recognizable to the public have been subdued and detained in their attempts to advocate for due process. Associatively, millions of non-residents pine for a peaceful existence where they can strive to provide for their families without the threat of deportation. Names are withheld from this story as they fear potential detention.
Speaking from their modest rental home on a bustling street in St. Louis, the father articulates their fear. Trips and excursions are postponed indefinitely due to the likelihood of encounters resulting in demands for documents or calls to the police. He speaks of their hometown, El Triunfo in Guatemala, painting a grim picture of a threatening, crime-ridden border town along the southern Mexican fringe. This was the push they needed to leave in 2018, initially moving to Mexico, migrating from Cancún, and finally settling in Nuevo Laredo, Texas.
In Nuevo Laredo, the father reveals that they were subjected to deadly threats and demands for $4,000 from extortionists. To survive, he complied, also having to serve as a lookout for the group. After a few months of this ordeal, he paid a hefty $10,000 to be guided across the border into the United States, finally reaching Houston. A further payment of $1,500 allowed him to journey to his initial residence in St. Ann, Missouri.
His arrival in February 2019 was a bittersweet moment as he found himself in new surroundings, tasked with supporting his family, but grappling with the sorrow of leaving them behind in Guatemala. St. Ann is an unlikely sanctuary, a downtown area filled with compact post-war houses and open parks, recognized for a stringent police force readily handing over individuals to immigration authorities.
Aaron Jimenez, St. Ann’s chief of police, contends this reputation is an echo of the past, under former administration. According to him, deportation isn’t the priority, with pressing issues such as homelessness and substance abuse demanding attention. When the father arrived in St. Ann, he had to take on various jobs to fund the migration of his wife and son. His wife joined him in 2023, four years after his arrival, at an expense of $16,000.
A year later, their son made the arduous journey unaccompanied, costing an additional $8,000. Despite the trials of the journey, he believed it was better than the life that awaited his son in Guatemala. On being reunited, they had memorable experiences like the river outing and even a trip to Chicago to visit the Guatemalan consulate. During their Chicago trip, they were able to visit iconic places like The Bean at Millennium Park and dine at a Guatemalan eatery.
As life attempted to regain normalcy, their son flourished in school and the mother found friendly conversation with other parents. However, these small pleasures were short-lived. The mother no longer lingers during her son’s school run, wary of interaction. Their son, once outgoing, is compelled to stay indoors, barring him from enjoying the summer. Neighbors seem menacing, with the constant worry of being reported to the police.
Recently, the father was apprehended for driving violations while with his employer in Clayton, St. Louis County’s illustrious administrative seat. Although he lacks a driver’s license, he makes sure to maintain valid insurance. In this instance, he had the fortune of being released, a fate not shared by many.
St. Louis attorney Jessica Mayo highlights the unsettling instances of unanticipated detainment that sometimes lead to deportation. She mentions deceitful tactics, leading to hasty separation of children and parents. People live in a perpetual state of crisis, overrun with fear and anxiety.
The police chief, Jimenez, expresses a need for improved citizenship schemes and more effective worker programs. According to him, vetting good citizens would be a better solution than blanket deportations. He disclosed that, while they try to avoid focusing on deportations, there were instances where individuals involved in serious crimes were referred to immigration authorities.
The Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have witnessed significant migration due to economic stagnancy and violent crime. This is visible in the youthful demographics of Guatemala, where half the population is under 25. The family makes it clear that returning to Guatemala isn’t a viable solution due to the grim outlook there.
Even with the threat of detention, the father still asserts that he would fervently make his way back to Missouri if deported. Despite a nagging back injury and the high cost, he firmly believes that St. Louis offers lesser dangers and better job prospects. Meanwhile, they hope to expand their family, but with the current situation, this plan is put on hold. The father explains, ‘I don’t want something to happen to me and she is left alone, a pregnant woman trying to get a job.’
The post Guatemalan Family’s Pursuit Of American Dream Collides With Immigration Policy appeared first on Real News Now.
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