Think Creative - Issue 6

Alberto

Age 22

Location

Apopa, El Salvador Crime and violence, underemployment

Motivation for migrating

Alberto (right) says hopes for his family’s wellbeing and security motivated him to try to cross the border into the U.S.

“It was more than painful to leave, because not seeing [my family] for me was as bad as the fear I had of losing my life on the journey.”

Does not intend to migrate but has been exposed to at least two acts of crime or violence  

Alberto

39%  

27%  

Detained by U.S. immigration authorities in McAllen, Texas. Deported from Laredo, Texas

United States in 2016, planning to send money home to support his family and hoping that someday they would be able to join him. “It’s sad to get on a bus and know that you might not return to your country for a long time and that you’re leaving behind the people you love most,” he says. “But I think that your family understands that in this country, we can be here today, but anything can happen to us tomorrow. So we go looking for protection.” Alberto was ultimately detained by U.S. im- migration authorities shortly after crossing the border into Texas and was deported back to El Salvador. Now, he’s working on-and-off as a driver, struggling to find more permanent employment. In addition to the busy streets of San Salvador, Alberto must navigate the map of gang-controlled territory in Apopa.

Crosses the Rio Grande on a raft from Miguel Aleman, Mexico

Arrives in Mexico City

Crosses into Mexico near Tacana, Guatemala

Departs from San Salvador bus terminal

“In many high-migration municipalities, crime and violence have become part of the daily reality, forcing many people to leave their communities in search of safety.” – Enrique Roig, Director Citizen Security Practice Area

54% of survey respondents who have considered migrating have been robbed on the street

CreativeAssociatesInternational.com | 19