Challenges Faced by Migrants in Reynosa, Mexico: A Story of Resilience and Struggle

The speaker describes the challenges faced by migrants, mentioning the difficult decision to leave everything behind, including debts, and the harsh conditions they endure while waiting. The discussion highlights the global economic, political, and violence-related issues that force people to migrate, with specific reference to a large exodus of 2,000 to 3,000 people in the past.

In Reynosa, specifically in the Alquile Serdán neighborhood, migrants are compared to being in a 'purgatory' while waiting for the opportunity to enter the 'heaven' of the United States. The description includes children playing on closed playgrounds, families living in extreme conditions, and the daily struggles faced by migrants.

Outside the Senda de Vida shelter, a 'micro city migrant camp' has formed over the past three to four months. Migrants are focused on obtaining legal entry into the United States, facing challenges with the slow processing system in Reynosa compared to Matamoros. The discussion includes the stress and anxiety of trying to secure appointments for legal crossing.

Rosnell and his family, originally from Haiti, face daily challenges such as finding places to shower, lack of employment opportunities, and financial constraints. They navigate through a landscape of plastic waste and struggle to meet basic needs like water and food. Despite the hardships, Rosnell expresses gratitude towards the system for providing some level of organization.

The speaker mentions living in a rented department for four days with the help of migrating family members. The apartment is sparsely furnished with a brazier, stove, fridge, and mattresses on the floor. Rent is discussed, highlighting the challenges of finding housing without money. The journey from Haiti to Tapachula, Mexico, cost $600 for a visa, causing a seven-month work hiatus.

The speaker shares having worked in Brazil for six years, emphasizing the struggle to find employment. The discussion touches on the limited opportunities and challenges faced while seeking work in a foreign country.

Rosnel, after nearly a year of travel, expresses hope to end his journey soon. His friend, who migrated after 2,190 days, exemplifies the lengthy and arduous process of migration. The narrative portrays the uncertainty and perseverance required in the migration journey.

The difficulties in securing visa appointments are discussed, with the need for a high-quality phone and language barriers hindering the process. Various nationalities, including Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, and Mexicans, face challenges in obtaining appointments, showcasing the complexities of the immigration system.

Venezuelan migrants share their experiences, with one individual having traveled for five months without success in obtaining a visa appointment. The growing desperation among migrants, the financial strain on families, and the lack of job opportunities in the region are highlighted, painting a grim picture of the situation.

Migrants engage in various economic activities like hairdressing, selling shaved ice, and cooking inside and outside shelters to support each other financially. The challenging economic conditions, lack of employment opportunities, and the need to generate income for survival are emphasized.

An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 migrants are settled in Tamaulipas between Reynosa and Matamoros, with a constant influx and outflow of individuals. The tough living conditions, financial struggles, and the necessity to provide for families underscore the challenges faced by the migrant population in the region.

The enduring spirit of migrants is highlighted, referencing the quote 'todo pasa y todo queda' (everything passes and everything remains). The migrants' determination to forge ahead despite obstacles is likened to creating paths while walking, symbolizing resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.