Running from Danger‚ Looking for hope

    In June 2018, 16-year-old Freddy stuffed a few pieces of clothing in a backpack. He filled a bottle with water. Then he said goodbye to his mother and his two sisters and left his home in Sonaguera, Honduras. He didn’t know if he would ever see his family again. But he had to find his father—2,000 miles north in Texas.

    Freddy was 5 when his father left home. At the time, he wondered why he had to grow up without a dad. Now, he understood. There were few jobs to be found in Sonaguera. His dad was able to work in the U.S. He sent Freddy’s family money so they could eat.

    Still, Freddy rarely felt safe at home. Gang members threatened him on the way to school. He’d heard they would kill people for money. “There’s so much crime and poverty in Honduras,” he says. “I thought, ‘What will happen to me when I grow up?’”

    In June 2018, Freddy put some clothing in a backpack. He filled a bottle with water. He said goodbye to his mom and his two sisters. He didn’t know if he would see them again. Then he left his home in Sonaguera, Honduras. He was 16 years old. He wanted to find his dad. His dad was in Texas.

    When Freddy was 5, his dad left home. There were not many jobs in Sonaguera. But in the U.S., his dad could work. He sent money to Freddy’s family. They used it to buy food.

    But Freddy did not feel safe. When he walked to school, gang members threatened him. “There’s so much crime and poverty in Honduras,” he says. He wondered what would happen to him when he grew up.

    In June 2018, 16-year-old Freddy stuffed a few pieces of clothing in a backpack and filled a bottle with water. He said goodbye to his mother and his two sisters, not knowing if he would ever see them again. Then he left his home in Sonaguera, Honduras. He was heading to Texas—2,000 miles north—to find his father.

    Freddy was 5 when his father left home, and he wondered why he had to grow up without a dad. But now he understood—there were few jobs available in Sonaguera, but his father was able to work in the U.S. He sent Freddy’s family money so they could eat.

    Still, Freddy rarely felt safe. Gang members, whom he’d heard would kill people for money, threatened him on the way to school. “There’s so much crime and poverty in Honduras,” he says. “I thought, ‘What will happen to me when I grow up?’”

    As Freddy traveled north, he was not alone. More than 800,000 immigrants have arrived at the southern border of the U.S. in the past year. Many are teenagers. In some months, more than 10,000 kids cross the border on their own. 

    Like Freddy, many of these immigrants are fleeing violence and poverty at home. Most come from Guatemala, El Salvador, or Honduras. These Central American countries are three of the most dangerous countries in the world. Violent gangs there control the flow of drugs to the U.S. Often they force teen boys to join them. 

    At the border, the new immigrants hope they will be allowed to stay. Every year, the U.S. welcomes some immigrants because their lives are at risk in their home countries. These people have to prove in court that they are in danger at home. This is called seeking asylum.

    So Freddy went north. He was not alone. More than 800,000 immigrants have arrived at the southern border of the U.S. in the past year. Many of them are teenagers. Many come alone.

    Like Freddy, many immigrants are fleeing violence and poverty. Most come from Guatemala, El Salvador, or Honduras. These countries are in Central America. They are three of the most dangerous countries in the world. Gangs in these countries control the flow of drugs to the U.S. They often use violence to make teen boys join them. 

    At the border, the immigrants hope they will be allowed to stay. The U.S. welcomes some immigrants because their lives are at risk. These people have to prove in court that they are in danger in their home countries. This is called seeking asylum.

    As Freddy traveled north, he was not alone. More than 800,000 immigrants have arrived at the southern border of the U.S. in the past year. Many are teenagers, and in some months, more than 10,000 kids cross the border on their own. 

    Like Freddy, many of these immigrants are fleeing violence and poverty. Most come from the Central American countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, which are three of the most dangerous countries in the world. Violent gangs in these countries control the flow of drugs to the U.S. Often they force teenage boys to join them. 

    At the U.S. border, the new immigrants hope they will be allowed to stay. Every year, the U.S. grants asylum to some immigrants because their lives are at risk in their home countries. These people have to prove in court that they would be in danger if they were sent back.

    Freddy was hopeful when he arrived in the U.S. He had made the journey in 15 days. He traveled in taxis, in buses, and on foot. Often, he slept outside in the grass. “At times, I couldn’t stand it anymore,” he says. “But if I gave up, I felt like I was going to lose my life.”

    At the border, U.S. officials are struggling to deal with the large number of immigrants. People are kept in places called detention centers. These centers are often overcrowded and uncomfortable.

    Freddy spent three months in these centers. One of them was so cold he called it la hielera, or “the cooler.” He slept on the floor with a thin foil blanket. Conditions improved when he was moved to a new center. But he still felt confused and lonely. “You’re locked up,” he says. “All you want is to go out and breathe fresh air.”

    Freddy made the journey to the border in 15 days. He took taxis. He took buses. Sometimes he walked. Often, he slept outdoors. “At times, I couldn’t stand it anymore,” he says. “But if I gave up, I felt like I was going to lose my life.”

    At the border, U.S. officials put the new immigrants in detention centers. These places are often too crowded. They are not comfortable.

    Freddy spent three months in these centers. One of them was very cold. The migrants called it la hielera, or “the cooler.” Freddy slept on the floor with a thin foil blanket. Then he moved to a new center. Conditions were better. But he still felt confused and lonely. “You’re locked up,” he says. “All you want is to go out and breathe fresh air.”

    Freddy was hopeful when he arrived at the U.S. border. He had made the journey in 15 days by traveling in taxis and buses—and on foot. Often, he slept outside in the grass. “At times, I couldn’t stand it anymore,” he says. “But if I gave up, I felt like I was going to lose my life.”

    At the border, U.S. officials are struggling to manage the large number of new immigrants. They are kept in detention centers, which are often overcrowded and uncomfortable.

    Freddy spent three months in these centers. One of them was so cold the migrants called it la hielera, or “the cooler.” Freddy slept on the floor with only a thin foil blanket. He was finally transferred to a different center with better conditions, but he still felt confused and lonely. “You’re locked up,” he explains. “All you want is to go out and breathe fresh air.”

    In October 2018, Freddy was finally released. At an airport near Dallas, he saw his father for the first time in 12 years. “He got to see me all grown up,” Freddy says. “I was overjoyed.” 

    Freddy now lives with his dad in Texas. He goes to high school nearby. Life isn’t easy in his new home. Freddy hasn’t made friends yet. He has trouble sleeping at night. He has nightmares about being locked up. But at least he feels safe when he walks down the street.

    A lawyer is helping Freddy seek asylum. His case could take two years or more. He’s trying to be hopeful. But only about one in five asylum seekers from Honduras are allowed to stay. 

    After all he’s been through, Freddy says it would be hard to go home. He just wants to work so he can help his family. “But I’m not scared,” he says. “Whatever my destiny is, I’ll accept it.” 

    In October, Freddy was released. He saw his father for the first time in 12 years. “I was overjoyed,” Freddy says. 

    Freddy now lives with his dad in Texas. He goes to high school. Life isn’t easy. He hasn’t made friends. He has trouble sleeping. He has nightmares about being locked up. But he feels safe when he walks down the street.

    A lawyer is helping Freddy seek asylum. His case could take years. He’s trying to be hopeful. But asylum seekers from Honduras rarely get to stay. Only about one in five does. 

    Freddy says it would be hard to go back to Honduras. He wants to work in the U.S. He wants to send money to his family. “But I’m not scared,” he says. “Whatever my destiny is, I’ll accept it.” •

    In October, Freddy was finally released. At an airport near Dallas, he saw his father for the first time in 12 years. “He got to see me all grown up,” Freddy recalls. “I was overjoyed.” 

    Freddy now lives with his dad in Texas and goes to a nearby high school. Life isn’t easy, though. Freddy has yet to make any friends, and nightmares about being locked up make sleeping difficult. But at least he feels safe when he walks down the street.

    A lawyer is helping Freddy seek asylum. His case could take two years or more. He’s trying to remain hopeful, but only about one in five asylum seekers from Honduras are allowed to stay. 

    After everything he’s been through, Freddy says it would be difficult to return to Honduras. He just wants to work so he can help his family. “But I’m not scared,” he says. “Whatever my destiny is, I’ll accept it.” •