Tracing The Migrant Journey

Tracing the
Migrant
Journey

KJZZ's Fronteras Desk reporting team joined migrants as they traveled thousands of miles to reach the U.S. This multi-part series put reporters on the ground from Honduras to Portland, Maine, to document the challenges migrants face on their trek through Central America, Mexico and the U.S.

Click a point in the timeline to follow the journey.

Why People Are Migrating From Honduras — And Why Many Want Them To Stay

Honduras is a country where, for the poorest and most vulnerable, it seems everyone has tried to migrate, has a relative who has migrated or at least knows someone who has migrated northward, looking for an opportunity to improve their lives. Travel to San Pedro Sula, Honduras →

Recent Migration Policies Deepen The Divide At The Mexico-Guatemala Border

Tensions between the U.S. and Mexico regarding migration have hit hard on the borders, not only between both nations but also between Mexico and Guatemala. Trump’s threat on taxing Mexican goods unless migration stopped is having a direct effect on Mexico’s border with Guatemala. Here, not only migration is changing but also trade. Travel to Tecún Umán, Guatemala, and Tapachula, Mexico →

Toughened Enforcement Pushes Asylum Seekers To Stay In Mexico

Changing migration policies in the United States and Mexico are making it harder for asylum seekers to reach the U.S. Now a growing number are asking for refuge in Mexico. But that’s not always easy. Travel to Guadalajara, Mexico →

In San Luis, Asylum Seekers From Around The World Wait Months

In San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, the asylum wait now sits at well over 1,100 entries and is filled with people from around the world, not just Central America, according to a mid-August shelter count. Asylum seekers from Cameroon are the second-largest group after Mexicans, who account for over 60% of the total. Travel to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico →

The U.S. Races To Build A New Border

Thousands gather south of the Arizona border awaiting their turn to enter the country and request asylum, but still others look for areas along the border where they can step onto U.S. soil. Now the U.S. government is rushing to build dozens of miles of new border fence. It was a campaign promise in far-flung Washington, D.C., four years ago. It’s happening now in Arizona. Travel to Nogales, Mexico and Yuma, Arizona →

Phoenix Shelter A Brief Respite For Migrants Coming To U.S.

After crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and spending two or three days in government custody, these asylum-seekers have arrived at the Phoenix Welcome Center. It’s a new facility run by the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian group with a chapter in Arizona. Travel to Phoenix, Arizona →

Hospitality Makes Up For Lack Of Housing For Asylum Seekers In Maine

More than 400 people from Central Africa sought asylum in Portland, Maine this summer. The small town has no more vacancies but newcomers discovered a wealth of hospitality. Travel to Portland, Maine→

Reporter Dispatches From The Field

In August 2019, KJZZ's Fronteras Desk traveled to four countries. Along the way, they checked in with The Show. Here are their reports from the field.

Aug. 26, 2019

Portland, Maine

About 400 people seeking asylum from Central Africa have come to this small town of Portland, Maine, over the last couple of months. Laurel Morales reports on the last leg of the journey.

Aug. 23, 2019

Phoenix, Arizona

Tens of thousands of migrant families have passed through Phoenix this year on their way to destinations in other parts of the country. Bret Jaspers reports from a shelter.
Hear Bret Jaspers On BBC Newshour

Aug. 22, 2019

Yuma, Arizona

On the Arizona border, people from all over the world have gathered to cross into Arizona's desert. So what does that shift look like once they get here? Michel Marizco reports.
Hear Michel Marizco On BBC Newshour

Aug. 21, 2019

Nogales, Mexico

Michel Marizco has been reporting along the Arizona-Mexico border all week. He brings us a little closer to home, reporting in Nogales, Sonora, before heading to Yuma, Arizona.
Hear Michel Marizco On BBC Newshour

Aug. 19, 2019

San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico

Murphy Woodhouse reports from San Luis Rio Colorado, one of many cities along the border where there are waitlists for people hoping to cross at ports of entry to request asylum.
Hear Murphy Woodhouse On BBC Newshour

Aug. 16, 2019

Guadalajara, Mexico

Kendal Blust picks up the migrant journey from Guadalajara, a major transit point for migrants on their way through Mexico to the United States — but that's been changing.
Hear Kendal Blust On BBC Newshour

Aug. 15, 2019

Tapachula, Mexico

Rodrigo Cervantes reports from a city in southern Mexico that could be heaven, it could be hell — or it could be someplace in between for thousands of migrants traveling to the U.S.
Hear Rodrigo Cervantes On BBC Newshour

Aug. 14, 2019

Tecún Umán, Guatemala

Rodrigo Cervantes takes us to an area with historic and commercial ties that’s been quickly transforming due to recent migration policies — the Guatemala-Mexico border.
Hear Rodrigo Cervantes On BBC Newshour

Aug. 12, 2019

San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Jorge Valencia is on the ground in Honduras, a country which accounts for about half the people who are traveling to try to reach the southwestern border to petition for asylum, according to numbers.
Hear Jorge Valencia On BBC Newshour

Tracing The #MigrantJourney