America. As he was swimming the Rio Grande he panicked and drowned. I
Promised him, Mama, mia familia and myself that I would not have the
same fate as him. I will triumph. And as I walked onto the land of
America I would honour his name.
I must travel at night as that is when the security is less tight. There are less people on duty and as people are tired they are less aware of the hundreds of immigrants that sneak pass their eyes.
The river I must cross
(Rio Grande)
It is now nightfall I leave my house at 11:00pm ready for the 4 hour walk that lies ahead. After 4 hours I reach the riverbank. It is still dark although I can sense the morning coming so I must move fast. In the faint distance I can hear men. They are probably other Mexicans attempting to cross the border as well.
Someone attempting to climb the fence
I remove my boots and place them in my bag. I balance my bag on top of my head. As I walk into the river almost instantly I am submerged. Slowly, I walk through the river. Not wanting to lose my footing on a rock or object, I take my time. After 2 hours I notice I am nearing the edge. The morning is cold and I begin to shiver. As I look down in the water I notice dirt and rubbish floating. My eyes catch in the distance what looks like underwater plant life. It has grown out of the water and is perfect to keep myself hidden as I near the edge of the border to America. I wade through the plant life trying not to get entwined into the strands of greenery. It is now almost 5 :15am and it is getting bright really fast. If I don’t want to get caught I must fasten my pace. There is a dip in the river bed as I walk down it the water is almost covering my mouth and nose. I am just able to breathe. I cannot see a thing I am just relying on my instincts. A surge of pain rushes through my body like an electric shock. Although this is not electricity, the pain goes on. It is excruciating. It was as if someone was continually stabbing me. I scream out in pain. When I soon realise that it may attract unwanted attention so I quieten myself. As I come to, I soon realise that the pain was coming from my foot. I was caught. Caught in an alligator trap. The snares where crushing my foot seeping into my flesh and causing my foot to pour blood. Thoughts run through my mind. What if I die? I question myself. What happens if the police come and see me and arrest me? Will I ever make it to America? I black out.
Wednesday
I stir. I wake up slowly attempting to remember where I am. Then it comes to me. I’m in the Rio Grande. My foot has gone numb. I’m probably going to have to live the rest of life with one foot. Thankfully I am camouflaged by the plant life. The police keep walking straight past me unable to see me boobing around in the water. I cannot move, the alligator trap is anchored to the riverbed. I suppose this is going to be a waiting game
1:00 pm
In the afternoon it becomes so hot! I am nearly out of my supply of water and as desperate as I am I refuse to drink out of the river. I feel the blistering sun on my head. I feel so hot and dehydrated. I think this is the end. Maybe I’m not supposed to enter America. It may not be what god wills. Thinking about god I remember that I brought my bible. I reach into my rucksack and pull it out. I begin to flick through. I read the different testaments and stories, the miracles Jesus has performed. This willed me on. It gave me faith.
3:00
The heat begins to die down. I am sitting in the water just floating thinking if my family wonder if I am in the US. Suddenly I begin to hear a boat engine. I hear its motor and I hear people talking in English. Oh no! They may have found me. Without thinking I submerge myself under the water not caring about my belongings that are in my bag. As I look above I see the boat drive over me head.
I wait till it is completely out of sight and I come up for air gasping and struggling to breathe. That was so close I think in my head.
I don’t feel very well. Earlier on in the day I drank some whaler in an attempt to rehydrate myself but all its done is made me feel ill. I fall asleep exasperated by the attempt to keep myself afloat and not succumb to the waters of Mexico.
Thursday
When I wake I feel drowsy. I am thinking to myself that the journey to America was not worth it. I feel a hand on my shoulder shaking my body. I can hear my name being shouted although I am so ill I can’t quite comprehend who is next to me. It takes me a while to see but then I notice. IT IS ENRIQUE! I just have enough energy to smile. He is telling me that when I did not turn up to his house he got worried, so he travelled all the way down here. Because he is a legal immigrant he is allowed to walk around the Rio Grande. He tells me that my foot is caught but not to worry and he will soon have me out.
People swimming across the Rio Grande
He manages to ply open the snare with a wrench. He carries me out of the water and drags me onto the side of the river. I sing out in relief, laughing and crying at the same time. Although he is also happy Enrique tells me to be quiet because there are eyes and ears everywhere. Enrique must cut a hole in the fence as he cannot sneak through the main entrance because the police would know I’m an illegal immigrant just by looking at my messy state. He tears a hole into the gate. He flings my arm around his shoulder and helps me into his car. As soon as I sit on the seat and feel the air conditioning blowing own my face I fall asleep.
2:00pm
We are driving through California when I wake up. I look out the window and I see buildings, adults, children, cars and happy faces. I know I am now in America. I have finally reached the ‘land of dreams’.
Life one year on
My name is Pedro Morales and I am an American citizen. A year later I am currently living in San Diego with my girlfriend Amanda. I met her shortly after I started working at the factory. We plan on starting a family together and in two months time sending my Mama from Mexico to come live with us. I have to say my journey did not go how I thought it would (not even slightly). When Enrique and I reached San Diego he took me to see a Mexican doctor who stitched my foot. It was almost as if the incident had never happened. After 2 week of rest I began my job at the factory. True to my word I still send money to my family in Mexico and update them on how I am. When I told them what had happened they were in shock , although thankfully I was okay. After meeting Amanda I have decided not to move back to Mexico, but to stay here in America. 3 months ago I was able to afford a green card to become an American citizen so now I travel to Mexico to see my family. Amanda has a very well paid job so she lets me treat my family by often sending gifts. Soon Mama will be coming over here to live with us as I want her to experience the lifestyle. Dont worry though, she isn’t going to be swimming the Rio Grande at 67. Amanda has kindly paid the fee to let her into the country.
For those who are deliberating wether or not to take the chance and swim the Rio Grande to come to the US, I say why not! Take a risk and you never know what you make receive.
