Crossing the Border: A Family’s Journey from Mexico to Canada

In the tumultuous world of immigration, the story of Araceli, a Salvadoran migrant, highlights both the desperation faced by families fleeing danger and the complexities of navigating border policies.

The Symbolic Rainbow Bridge

For many, the Rainbow Bridge, spanning the Niagara River between the United States and Canada, represents peace and connection. Yet, for Araceli and her family, it quickly became a towering obstacle.

Araceli, her partner, and their two daughters – aged four and fourteen – attempted their first crossing on March 17. Armed with optimism, a suitcase, and documents they believed would lead them to safety with Araceli’s siblings in Canada, they faced an unexpected reality. Despite their hopes, their initial attempt to cross was thwarted—not once, but twice.

A Life Built on Fear

Araceli and her family had been living in the U.S. for over a decade, with only her youngest daughter, born in New Jersey, possessing legal citizenship. As her hopes of obtaining asylum dwindled, Araceli’s fears escalated. Reports of deportations under President Trump created an atmosphere of anxiety. The administration’s policies increasingly threatened families like hers, driving them to seek refuge elsewhere.

Desperate for safety, Araceli began exploring options in Canada. However, the “safe third country agreement” posed a barrier; it dictated that asylum seekers must file their claims in the first country they arrive in.

Seeking Exceptions

Despite these challenges, there were exceptions to this rule. If an asylum seeker can demonstrate a close familial relationship with someone in Canada, they could bypass some restrictions. Hoping to reunite with her two brothers, Araceli made the difficult decision to uproot her family yet again and journey to Canada.

Upon successfully crossing the Rainbow Bridge, Araceli’s family presented their case at the border checkpoint. They believed their documents would validate their claims and the familial connection, but their hopes were dashed—the application faced scrutiny due to a minor discrepancy in identity documentation, leading to their denial of entry.

The Detainee Experience

Heartbroken, the family returned to the U.S., fearing separation and deportation. Their experience within the U.S. immigration system was harrowing. Araceli recalled spending 14 days confined in a windowless cell with her daughters, the pressure mounting relentlessly.

During this period, her brother reached out to an organization that assists migrants, which led them to attorney Heather Neufeld. Just when Araceli thought help was at hand, a fleeting moment of hope was seized, but it proved to be short-lived when an agent reasserted their status as unwanted in Canada.

A Complicated Asylum Process

On returning to the U.S., the family faced new obstacles. With the recent border crossing counted as a reconsideration, they would have to confront the volatile immigration climate again. Araceli’s partner was taken to an ICE detention center, while Araceli and their daughters were placed under restrictive measures at a migrant shelter.

“I felt as if my heart was being torn apart,” Araceli shared, echoing the emotional toll of forced separations within families during such crises.

Pushing Forward

A week later, after negotiations between their lawyers and the Canadian federal court, a breakthrough came. The family was granted a third opportunity to cross the border. On May 5, they attempted once more, this time accompanied by an attorney.

After hours of wait and uncertainty, the moment arrived. A border agent welcomed them into Canada—a moment fraught with mixed emotions. While Araceli felt immense joy for the opportunity, the family’s ordeal wasn’t over; her partner remained behind in the U.S., entangled in ongoing immigration proceedings.

The Hidden Struggles of Immigrants

Araceli’s experience serves as a haunting reminder of the complexities and injustices embedded within border policies. There are countless families awaiting their chance, many lacking the legal support necessary to navigate the fraught immigration system.

Araceli’s story is but one of many, underscoring the broader issues facing migrants today. As they grapple with hope and hopelessness at borders, the unyielding human spirit amidst struggles reflects both resilience and vulnerability in the face of systemic challenges.