The migrant caravan has recently made headlines as immigrants from countries in Central and Latin America, such as Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador are fleeing their home countries to reach the US-Mexico border line. The massive increase of violence from gangs, MS-13 and Barridos 18, has urged victims to seek refuge in America to ensure safety for themselves and their family. Not only do these immigrants face persecution and poverty in their own country, but their journey to the United States is also difficult. Some of the struggles they experience are dehydration, criminal gangs, and loss of family members.

In addition to the difficulty of making the arduous journey to the U.S., they are faced with 15,000 troops who President Trump has sent, making it impossible for the refugees to seek asylum in the states.

“May God soften Trump’s heart,” stated an immigrant from BBC News.

Lake Forest Academy’s members of Latin X had their own thoughts to share on the matter and the effect it has had on them. Lake Forest Academy’s modern and classical languages faculty member and counselor of Latin X, Marianela Gonzalez, was born in Bolivia, but came to America with her parents at 9 months old with a green card.

“My parents got lucky…but the first 17 years that they were here they worked in a factory. Their degrees didn’t count,” expressed Gonzalez.

She expressed how her parents came to the country with no background on the language, but that did not stop them from adjusting to the American culture. Her mother was given the opportunity to go back to school and learn English, while her father learned the language by working as a mechanic in a factory.  As for Gonzalez and her sister, learned by watching tv shows like Sesame Street.

LFA senior and leader of Latin X club, Diana Tlaseca ‘19, was born and raised in the U.S., but comes from a Mexican family background. Her father came to the United States at the age of four while her mother came by plane. Just like the immigrants today, they were seeking for a better life.

Tlaseca and Gonzalez are not in favor in how President Trump is treating the immigrants and how he is preventing them the right to seek asylum.  

“They are running away from the violent and poverty in their own country and to be greeted at the border with more violence, is something that’s hard to fathom,” stated Gonzalez.


Tlaseca is overall not satisfied with how immigrants are looked as criminals and people trying to steal jobs.  

“They are painting them in ways that is completely off,” said Tlaseca

Recently President Trump has responded to this case of the migrant caravan by threatening to block roads in Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego. In addition to the blockage, there has been tear gases thrown at immigrants that were trying to cross the U.S.-Mexican border.

The overall issue of the migrant caravan does not portray America’s democracy as they are blocking innocent asylum seekers from remaining in a country that claims to be a melting pot. Hopefully President Trump and folks that are behind this will comprehend the sacrifice these immigrants have made in an effort to better lives.