As if the passage northward were not dangerous enough for a migrant trying to enter the US without documentation, human rights organizations now report an epidemic of kidnappings. Irregular migrants are often beaten and detained by their captors until they provide the contact information of family members, who must then send money for their release. Some migrants are raped and/or murdered.
Regardless of where one stands on the debate over immigration and borders, we can agree that these human rights violations are detestable. Mexican authorities are doing what they can to improve the situation, but there are accusations that some police officers are in cahoots with the kidnappers.
Despite the high cost and physical danger, thousands of migrants continue to attempt to cross into the United States. This signals the desperate economic situation in their country of origin, and the enduring hope and dream of building a better life elsewhere.
The NYT that provides further information can be found here.
