Crossing the Rio Grande

Approaching the dispiriting river and famed entrance to the U.S., José stared across the body of water at the opposing riverbank. Immigrants rapidly scurried away, hiding from obtrusive searchlights behind concrete pillars. 

José took his first step into the water. Ice-cold shock flowed through his body. Ignoring the sensory response, José submerged himself into the river and paddled against the current, water lapping against his glistening forehead as he kicked furiously. 

Reaching the other bank relatively quickly, his first step onto American soil was purely euphoric. The emotions that washed over José reminded him of the reason he came to America.

José said, “I felt excited [at the prospect of] new opportunities, and I just wanted to meet my father.”

José joined his cousin and uncle at the bus stop. They waited to be transported to the nearest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility to turn themselves in to the authorities and request asylum.