photos by Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez and Casa del Migrante "El Hogar de la Misericordia"
Central American migrants risk everything, including their lives, to reach the United States. During their journey they are robbed, beaten, kidnapped, or killed by individuals, gangs, drug cartels, the police, and the army.

Central American migrants wait for a train in Arriaga, Chiapas. Some have armed themselves with pipes, rocks, and sticks to protect themselves during their journey.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez

A family waits for the train together.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez

Central American migrants hop on a moving train in Arriaga, Chiapas.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez

A Central American migrant walks across cars on top of a moving train.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez

Central American migrants ride a train to Oaxaca, Mexico, where they'll switch trains to head further north.
Photo: Casa del Migrante "El Hogar de la Misericordia"

Migrants wait for the next train in Casa del Migrante "El Hogar de la Misericordia," a shelter for migrants.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez

Carlos, a Honduran migrant on his twelfth attempt to reach the United States, recuperates from a brutal beating and robbery. La Casa del Migrante "El Hogar de la Misericordia" will take care of him until he's ready to continue north. The migrant shelter has an agreement with a local hospital that treats migrants for free.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez

Police and a possible paramilitary shattered "Humberto's" foot. He'll live in "El Hogar de la Misericordia" for months while he recovers.
Photo: Cuajutli Vallejo Benitez
El terrible infortunio de no haber nacido en Estados Unidos ó ..
Submitted January 11, 2009 - 11:14 pm by Adrián Estrada (not verified)