Cipotes en Tijuana

What an excellent read. So important to listen to the stories of the displaced peoples who migrate and understand the knowledge they carry with them in transit. Thank you for doing this significant work and sharing!

This was an amazing piece to read. One thing I found really interesting was that oftentimes with stories of people leaving their countries it is parents leaving so they and their children can have a better life. You never really hear of stories such as Melo’s where it is children having to leave in order for their parents and other family members to have a better life, but it is a common occurrence.

This was a very enjoyable read and a real issue that we see strike places in Central America. As someone who’s family comes from Central America I notice that fear of danger will stop my parents from visiting. I’m glad Melos story was shared because it tends to happen more than we know. You can associate migrants with wanting a better life, but a better life literally sometimes means wanting to live. Thank you for bringing awareness to such a great topic!

How did you feel interviewing Melo? Was it difficult?

What was the most common cases of the children in Casa Asilo, were many fleeing gang violence and death threats?

Did Melo stay in contact with his family or his cousin that got seperated?

Thank you for expressing the humanity within immigration.  Most people do not understand the hardships that cause individuals to migrate and the risks they continue to take on their journey.  It was very eye opening and heart aching to know that Melo would prefer the suffering of U.S. detention centers than of the dangers back home in El Salvador.  It shows how grateful we all must be to live freely in a country where everyone dreams to be.

I appreciate his story because it is unique but at the same time the same to many Central American refugees. It is also important to make stories like his known to showcase the harsh reality of many asylum seeking migrants.

Very beautiful and compelling story! I thought it was very interesting to hear about the experience of a South American migrant and was even more thrilled to read about the different experience Melo had because he was able to obtain a humanitarian visa.  All migration stories are different and beautiful in their own ways and this article is another example of how important it is to allow these people to have their voices and stories heard.

this is such a coincidence, my family just took in refugees from Guatemala who were escaping from the violence of gangs. Today, they are struggling to adapt in Los Angeles, a city where there is a lot going on compared to Guatemala. The family has 2 sons who currently are in school , & have expressed feeling alone at school because they don’t speak English, who wish one day to go back to their “real” home with their friends where they felt accepted. I liked how this blog was really descriptive in terms of his educational journey.

It is important to bring light to what is happening with the children who were a part of the caravan and allowing folks to share their background stories. Often time people like to generalizes why an individual decides to migrate to the US but no one takes the time to really understand why folks flee their home country. Thank for writing this piece it was a great read.

I love that you highlight their love for El Salvador while highlighting their inability to live their despite wanting to. It allows the reader to understand and know that he’s not leaving his home for the sake of leaving, rather, he is forced to leave and would not do so if circumstances were different. It breaks down the concept that people want to leave their homes and come to the U.S. just for the fun of it.

I loved your story. It’s does a beautiful job humanizing Melo and exposing the reasons behind migration. How important was having a common background with Melo? Did this assist you to establish rapport? From your experience working in Casa Asilo, what are the most pressing issues they face?

Thinking of how connected the gangs and police forced are in El Salvador is terrifying. I wonder if the new government will be able to effectively sever these ties? It is nice to think there could be hope that some of these refugees will be able to go back home to their families.

I really appreciated you talking about Melo’s journey to the border, a part of migration that is rarely discussed within the common before/after binary, as well as the kinship Melo gained with strangers like the Honduran men on the way. That kind of bond I don’t really see in media victimization of refugees.  I also really liked the last sentence, reminding the audience that refugees aren’t just coming to America, they’re leaving a home and everything that accompanies it.

Melo’s story is very captivating. I can picture myself seeing the area in which Melo lived in. You really helped me capture even if it be through a small window as to how the life Melo has lived so far.

Thank you for the work you are doing, it is so significant to protect and reclaim the childhoods of children in detention so I really enjoyed your approach of centering their stories amongst a time where their narratives are often stolen.

Thank you for sharing Melo’s story. It’s important to interview and record the specific conditions that shaped the migration experiences of individuals like Melo.

This was a great piece and it was very helpful! I am Mexican but my nephew is Salvadorian from his dad’s side and I think that it is important for my family and me to understand that he now shares an experience with his dad that we don’t really understand as Mexicans and it was nice to take a look at and learn about an experience that may seem so similar but is also very different. Thank you :)

This was an incredibly eye-opening article on the push-pull factors of the U.S. and the perception immigrants have of “migration”. Melo’s childhood was heavily dependent on MS13, a local gang in El Salvador. Reading this has made me even more grateful of the education I am receiving here at UCSD. There are so many children who are neglected of their basic hierarchal needs of safety, food +water, and a roof over their heads.  Despite his hardships in his hometown, Melo still craves to go back and strives to complete his education in order to support his family. This is yet another example of an immigrant who was forced to travel to the U.S. under horrible circumstances.

Its very refreshing to read about migrant stories through the lense of the migrants themselves outside of the victimized frame that is commonly propelled. There is so much power in his story and more stories like his need to be put forward in the conversations around refugees.

A great read! Truly gives us an insight on the daily struggles faced by folks in Central America and the reason behind their transit to the US.  This reading allowed us to get an insight of one of many stories also showing us that not all stories are the same.

Thank you for sharing this story. It is very important to share what migrants go through on their way to their destination and before they migrate as it is neglected most of the time and the focus is usually on the fact that they are at the border. I really appreciate your work, and I’m looking forward to read more of it.

Thank you for sharing Melo’s stpry, and I hope his dream of safely returning to El Salvador becomes a reality. 

Does the SNDIF have any plans of creating new shelters for unaccompanied minors? Or any stay extensions in Casa Asilo?

It was a very interesting read but also a very difficult one. As someone who comes from an immigrant family, I understand the difficulty of leaving your country because you are forced out. Melo’s story is just one of the many stories told by immigrants and it brings awareness to the fact that people believe immigrants only come to America to take advantage of the resources which is not true. The reason people come here is that they just want to live and not suffer through violence.

I felt that the line “He knew his experience was atypical because he held a
humanitarian visa” was so complicated to pull apart. It is frustrating that Melo’s experience as a youth migrant is one of privilege simply because of possession of a document, and reveals the fractures within an immigration system that poses displaced peoples (regardless of age) as a threat to the American social fabric. This also revealed the fragility of borders and documentation, because the common misconception is that documented immigrants and refugees face ideal circumstances in navigating resettlement in the US, but this is not the case, as Melo’s account details. The idea of “freedom” within the United States was also interesting, as Melo’s freedom is ultimately contingent upon economic success and resettlement within the US.

I appreciate the futurity-mindedness of this article. Even though the “grim reality” of violence is very present, it ends on discussing Melo’s hopes for the future. It’s so important not just to think of the troubled past but the bright possibilities ahead and the valuing of people as people. This shows resilience and strength from a place of desire that speaks to migrant community and kinship. This goes against many narratives of immigrant suffering and pain and instead provides the desire-based approach that troubles this.

I think the story you tell is a critical one because it not only highlights the realities of everyday violence that people in many countries Central America are facing, but also provides a narrative of resilience. The details of Melo leaving his family behind and risking gang members finding him or facing abuse in detention centers, yet still deciding to travel to the U.S to complete his education is a humanizing story. Additionally, I like that you included his testimony of the desire to eventually return to El Salvador, as this contests the perpetuated narrative of refugees wanting to flea their home countries rather than being forced to.

I think individual stories such as the one shared above about Melo truly humanizes refugee and asylum seekers.  It is vital to critically examine refugee and migrant stories to provide support for granting asylum to those who face danger. This was a great blog post, thank you Lorena for the work you did to produce such a wonderful story.

One thing that came to mind when reading this is how aware Melo is about the situation and why he had to flee from El Salvador. It really highlights how children are affected and targeted by violence and how they are willing to risk everything in order to find their freedom. Thank you for sharing this story and showing us a story that is not often heard.

This was an easy and enjoyable read that gave real issue information. Thank you for sharing Melo’s story. It is important to record the specific conditions that an individual can experience in their own home-town.  It analyzes the reasoning for a lot of migration as well and giving background information of individuals who just want to be successful in life as well.

It was really satisfying to read this article. Specially for me, this American dream has taken away family members. This separation was and is still a really is significantly difficult, it is an experience that leaves marks in every persons life. I highly identify with Melo, at such a young age and I think that it is so wonderful that people like you Lorena take the time to help migrants and it is something that I am looking forward to do here at UCSD.

Reading this article provides the reader with the perspective of a refugee, one that is often disregarded by officials and people in power. Reading Menlo’s experience was terrifying, and I could only just start to comprehend what many others go through. As you detailed, the immense amount of terror and risk one is exposed to in one’s native country is the primary reason they escape. Thank you for bringing this awareness.

Thank you for sharing the very personal stroy of Melo. You provide a lot of details and we can read the emotions in your words. It is particulary idfferent from what the state’s procedure when it receives an asylum demand, they analyze the personal stories coldly and impersonally. Thank you for the humanitiy in your words.

Thank you for this great article that highlights the story of Melo but also the story of a lot of others. It is very interesting to se what they went through but also their expectations while trying to immigrate to the US. I was quite impressed by Melo’s courage, who is younger than me and stays optimistic, even though he went through a lot. I think that it is very important to share this type of stories to have a better understand of migrants’ experiences. Thank you for sharing your experiences !

It’s interesting to read about Melo’s story and get his perpective on his journey from his home to the border. Melo’s story changes the persepective on who a refugee is and hopefully it creates a more empathetic attitude towards them. Hopefully, stories like Melo’s shape policies that seek to help refugees, not displace them any further.

I really enjoyed reading this blog and honestly it was very interesting for me to hear about the migrants of South Americans . I really liked how it clearly shows how people leave their homes because their were forced. Every migrant has their own unique story, which are very different from each other but they all have the same feelings.  Thank you !

This story is telling of the push-pull factors that encourage immigrants to leave their homeland to travel to the U.S.. Melo’s story is eye-opening to the hardships that come with surviving in El Salvador. Not only was his life constantly threatened, Melo was also taxed for wanting to go to school and educate himself. This story has made me grateful for my education here at UCSD. Despite the obstacles he faced in his home-town, he still strives to complete his education here at the U.S. in order to support his family. Thank you to Lorena for bringing awareness on these important issues and shattering the assumption that all migrants are here voluntarily.

This was heartbreaking to read but I also found comfort in knowing how motivated Melo is in continuing his education in the US in order to support his family back in El Salvador and to safely go back to his homeland one day. Thank you for sharing his story and for giving him an opportunity to share his experiences, which many refugees do not often get the chance to.

It is very important to share stories like these because people don’t realize just how common cases like these are. People think that wars are the only justifiable reason to leave your country and seek refuge, but that is simply not true. My own family in Mexico endures conditions like this on the daily. They can’t leave their home at a certain time of day and night, for fear of getting caught in the crossfires of something. Many of them have been mugged in broad daylight. These conditions are real, and it is inspiring to see people actually make it out when suddenly there are no other options. It is not easy, but I’m really glad Melo can keep a positive attitude, and I am really glad his story can be shared for what it is: a positive outcome.

Thank you for sharing Melo’s journey. It’s sad that migrants’ stories like this don’t get much coverage or traction, which is why it is even more important to highlight these border crossings and the length to which people will go for a better life.

Thank you for sharing Melo’s story. I was reminded that I should not become desensitized to the origins and journeys of migrants and instead actively listen to their stories as they are also my parent’s who also traveled at a young age. I have asked my mother about her journey after passing which unfortunately is somehow more heartbreaking than the travel itself. Thank you for sharing his hopes as well.

Melo’s story is poignant and really demonstrates the radical, strong kinship and possibilities that happen in the “space between” (while he is in the caravan). The stories of children like Melo is powerful and necessary to provide a more holistic and humanitarian aspect to migration stories.
Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for sharing Melo’s story with us. I think it is important to listen to the stories of migrants because it can help others see and learn more about the dangers and struggles many migrants are facing.

I think the story you tell is a critical one because it not only highlights the realities of everyday violence that people in many countries Central America are facing, but also provides a narrative of resilience. The details of Melo leaving his family behind and risking gang members finding him or facing abuse in detention centers, yet still deciding to travel to the U.S to complete his education is a humanizing story. Additionally, I like that you included his testimony of the desire to eventually return to El Salvador, as this contests the perpetuated narrative of refugees wanting to flee their home countries rather than being forced to.

I enjoyed learning about Melo’s story, it was very captivating and it sheds light to a lot of realities that people are oftentimes not aware of. Additionally, I resonated with your article because I was also an MMFRP participant for Winter Quarter 2020. Being involved with Casa Del Migrante was an experience that I would not trade for the world, I got to meet a lot of great people and donated my time to contribute to the Casa community.

Thank you Lorena for sharing Melo’s story! It is always important to amplify the voices of those who have no choice but to seek refuge elsewhere due to the serious threats they experience in their home country. I felt extremely sad when I read that he would rather suffer at a detention center here in the US than back in el Salvador. That just goes to show how difficult and painful his life was in el Salvador.

An absolutely heartbreaking story. This is one of the few times I’ve heard direct stories from migrants from Central America. What a painful life Melo has had to endure at such a young age. Heartbreaking to think this happens to potentially thousands if not millions of people without us ever hearing about it.

Thank you for sharing this story, I think people often become desensitized to the realities of why Central Americans in particular have had to leave their home country. We saw the racism and xenophobia targeted towards Central Americans when they were attempting to enter from the US-Mexico border, so its important that we recognize how difficult it is to leave your only home.

Thank you Lorena for sharing Melo’s story as it truly captivates one of the thousands of reasons why individuals are willing to leave everything behind and migrate. The last sentence “once he’s free,” is incredibly chilling and I truly hope his dream comes true and he is reunited with his family back in El Salvador.

Thank you for telling this story Lorena, I think it especially captures the idea of the lives people are forced to escape in order to be able for he and his family to be safe.

I really enjoyed reading this piece, it was very eye opening to what many children and families are going through. It was also so cool to read that there is community and comradery among people in the Caravan. The lengths that many young people have to go through to keep themselves and their families safe is very disturbing. Thank you for sharing.

It’s admirable to see the networks of care developed among the people migrating. There is a shared and unspoken awareness of the need for survival and livability. This awareness leads to systems of care, and sharing knowledge.

Thank you for sharing this experience. The stories of people like Melo are not shared to the extent that they need to be, despite the violence and hardship that they entail. I loved the emphasis on the community and kindness that Melo and his nephew found while traveling. Such humanity offers hope for such difficult conditions.