“On December 22, we surrendered. We crossed the Rio Bravo, but that wasn’t the real threat. The danger lay on the other side, in the United States.”
In 2023, a Venezuelan woman, Mari Romero, transited the most traveled migration route on earth with her husband and 8-year-old child. Like her, millions of people are on an immigration journey through Central America with a single goal: a better life in the United States.
According to the Pew Research Center’s analysis of the latest government statistics, in August 2024, the U.S. Border Patrol recorded 58,038 cases of people crossing the US-Mexico border. These cases are 77% fewer than in 2023, when 249,741 migrants crossed.
This figure represents people apprehended while crossing without authorization. Upon arriving in the United States, migrants are detained and begin a legal process to determine if they can stay. Some receive asylum status; others face deportation.
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Immigration Detention: Containment or humanitarian reception?
“After crossing the Rio Bravo, there is a fence that is quite dangerous; it is a sharp wire bigger than your body. We laid out all our sheets and clothes to get through, cover the blades, and finally reached where immigration officers and shelters were.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are facilities that gather all individuals detained by authorities for violating immigration laws. The Global Detention Project (GDP) estimates at least 2,000 such facilities worldwide, with more than 200 in the U.S. alone.
Upon arrival, migrants encounter a different reality. Their American journey begins in shelters where they must shower, dress, and eat outdoors. Many receive only two meals a day and wait for hours—or even days—to submit their information and documents.
The treatment often resembles that of prisoners to the point that detention centers have come under public scrutiny for jeopardizing people’s human rights. Documented abuses include medical neglect, prolonged detention, and delays in processing.
“It was almost midnight. They put us on a bus like we were prisoners. I’d never experienced anything like it. From there, authorities transferred us to a slightly better shelter, though it still looked like a prison.”
Immigration detention centers not only delay the migration process but also affect mental health. Families are separated from the start, enduring intense questioning and the uncertainty of possible asylum.
The quality of detention centers, treatment by local authorities, and often inhumane conditions convey a message of discouragement to migrants.
According to the International Detention Coalition, migrants often suffer physical and psychological symptoms after detention, including muscle pain, loss of appetite, anxiety, and depression. Children are significantly affected, as the experience can alter their perception of the journey.
Mari’s son, for example, ended up as his parents’ translator, guiding them through the process. When they finally heard “Welcome to the United States,” he told his mother, “Mom, now we can go. We’re no longer prisoners.”
The Most Traveled Migration Route on Earth
Millions of South Americans risk their lives crossing Central America. For Mari and many others, the journey began in Colombia. The first challenge is crossing the Darién Gap, a treacherous expanse between Colombia and Panama.
The route spans over 90 kilometers of rainforest, mountains, and swamps that migrants must cross on foot. Topography and climate aren’t the only dangers; migrants face disease, violence, and exploitation by criminal groups.
“We spent four days in the jungle. Most people take two or three days, but rain delayed us. The rivers rose, and strong currents swept people away. I almost slipped on a rock and fell myself—thankfully, someone caught me.”
According to the Panamanian government, most migrants come from Venezuela, Ecuador, and Haiti. Along the way, people from Guatemala, Cuba, and Honduras, among others, join the route toward the north.
This data highlights the need for awareness—not only of international policies but also of the conditions in each country. People migrate due to hunger, danger, and a lack of opportunities, risking their lives for a chance at a better future.
Is There a Happy Ending?
For Mari and millions of others, the journey to a new country is filled with trials, resilience, and the hope of a better life. But even in the land of new beginnings, challenges remain as they work to rebuild their lives and find belonging.
Every migrant carries a story of courage that deserves respect, compassion, and the chance for a dignified future. “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s not impossible” she said.
Organizations worldwide strive to support these individuals, offering resources and a sense of humanity often lost along the way. Whether through donations, advocacy, or volunteering, each of us has the power to support migrants on their path to safety and opportunity.
Helping one person might not change the world, but it can change one person’s world. Standing with those who risk everything for a better life reminds us of what it truly means to be human.
Let’s work together toward a world where everyone can move freely, rebuild with dignity, and feel at home—
If you wish to contribute to this cause, donate to help more migrants now.
- IDC: Help Make Immigration Detention History here.
- Freedom For Immigrants: Build a future where everyone can move freely here.
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Learn more about migrant integration and culture shock here.
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