“When we arrived in Mexico over the Guatemalan border, we came in through Chiapas state,” related the young migrant, who entered Mexico with nine other people. They then made the decision to go by bus to Mexico City, more than 500 miles away.
They were told that they could buy the tickets over the phone and just make a bank transfer by going to any self-service store. They made the payment of 40,000 pesos (about $2,000) for the 10 people ($200 each) but when they went looking for the bus there wasn’t one — they had been scammed.
They took another bus, but shortly after starting the trip “the police stopped us and put us in jail for being undocumented,” lamented the Venezuelan migrant, and after spending two days in prison they managed to get out and finally arrived in Mexico City.
“After being here a week, with a lot of fear and with friends, we went to the Guadalupe Basilica. One of my great dreams came true: to be able to visit the Morenita del Tepeyac [Our Lady of Guadalupe],” she shared.
Achieving the ‘American dream’
“After three weeks in Mexico, thank God I was able to get a special permit to enter the United States. It’s not a humanitarian permit. Then they will let me request asylum,” she said.
“Finally, I achieved ‘my American dream’ on April 16 of this year. I entered at Ciudad Juárez [across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas] with a little fear, but always entrusting myself to God and Most Holy Mary of Guadalupe,” Sandoval said.
The young migrant encouraged others like her and anyone facing a difficult situation to repeat a saying from St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei, who she said always accompanied her: “Remember this and never forget it: Even if it should seem at times that everything is collapsing, nothing is collapsing at all, because God doesn’t lose battles.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Ana Paula Morales has master's degrees in neuromarketing, applied integral communication and theology. She has been writing for ACI Prensa in Mexico since 2022.