Glendy Aracely Ramírez, a 17-year-old from Comitancillo, Guatemala, prays every night for her family’s health and her own safe journey to the United States. Her sister, Blanca, died alongside 50 other migrants in a smuggler’s tractor-trailer in Texas. Glendy’s family lives in poverty, with little opportunities for a better future in Guatemala. The highlands region where they reside has seen a significant number of migrants, particularly unaccompanied minors, attempting the dangerous journey to the US in search of a better life.
The record-high numbers of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border have put migration at the forefront of this year’s US presidential election. Many migrants come from impoverished Indigenous communities in Guatemala’s Western Highlands, where daily wages are minimal and families struggle to survive. The promise of a better life in the United States, where loved ones send money back home, drives many to take risks and embark on dangerous journeys to the north. Despite the risks, the lure of opportunities and a chance at a better future outweighs the fear of staying in Guatemala.
The Jesuit Migration Network provides support and assistance to families in Comitancillo who have lost loved ones in tragic migrant incidents. The families gather for meetings and workshops to process grief and depression, with many speaking Mam, one of Guatemala’s Mayan languages. The community relies on organizations like the Jesuit group for guidance and support as they navigate the challenges of migration and loss. Despite the hardships they face, many families continue to hope for better opportunities in the United States.
Families like that of Virgilio Ambrocio, who lost his daughter Celestina in a tragic smuggling incident, grapple with the loss of loved ones who were seeking better opportunities in the United States. The economic challenges and lack of opportunities in Guatemala drive many youths to migrate, despite the dangers involved. Young migrants like Aracely Florentina Marroquín, who see education as their ticket to a better life, often struggle to find employment that matches their skills and aspirations in Guatemala.
For many families in Comitancillo, the desire for a better life and the pressure to provide for loved ones drive them to take the risk of migration. The death of Anderson Pablo, who was murdered in Camargo, and the subsequent migration of his younger brother Emerson, highlight the family’s deep-rooted desire for a better future. Despite the tragedy and loss they have experienced, families continue to pray for strength and find comfort in their faith as they navigate the challenges of migration and loss. The dreams and aspirations of young migrants like Anderson, who sought a better life for his family, live on in the hearts of those left behind.
The community of Comitancillo grapples with the devastating impact of migration on families and strives to find hope and resilience amid tragedy. The economic challenges and limited opportunities in Guatemala’s Western Highlands continue to drive many youths to seek a better future through migration. Organizations like the Jesuit Migration Network provide crucial support and guidance to families who have lost loved ones in tragic migrant incidents, helping them navigate the complexities of migration and find strength in their faith. Despite the hardships they face, families in Comitancillo continue to hold on to hope and strive for a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
