Desperate Trek

Flee or be murdered.

The drug gangs moved in and the jobs moved out. As the gangs demanded allegiance, and law and order disintegrated, Jorge realized that his family's survival required them to leave their homeland. The Hernandez family joined thousands of other migrants on their journey north to the U.S. border, motivated by desperation. By the time Jorge, his pregnant wife, Maria, and five-year old daughter, Sofia, reached the border between Guatemala and Mexico, they were already exhausted, hungry, and fearful. Little did they know what lay ahead.

The family's journey through Mexico was harrowing. From corrupt police to frightening cartel gangs, the family endured hardships that few can imagine. Maria was forced to rely on her own wits and determination as she faced humiliation, fear and violence. Jorge not only fought others; he fought his own self-doubt in order to realize his dreams. Sofia's innocence, zest for life and unrestrained love for her parents kept them all going. But crossing the border into Texas presented challenges no one anticipated.