Central American Immigrants Rest In Northern Mexico On Their Journey To The United States (Photo Essay)

SALTILLO, Mexico — Every year an estimated 300,000 migrants — mostly from Central America — cross Mexico’s southern border on their way to the United States. It’s a dangerous journey that can easily end in frustration. To help migrants on their way, a network of shelters has developed to provide food, lodging and healthcare. Latin America News Dispatch contributor John Sevigny visited one of these shelters, Belén Posada del Migrante in the northern city of Saltillo, on May 19 and May 20 and sent us this photo essay.

Above, Efrén, a Honduran immigrant heading to the United States, smokes while resting at the Belén Posada de Migrante shelter in Saltillo. Violence against Central Americans by organized crime groups has increased in Mexico, and in countries such as Guatemala, which immigrants traveling overland cross to get to their destinations.