Thursday 16 August 2012

Central American Frontiers

Panama to the U.S. by land  -  Two Irish Exploradores Follow the Migrant Trail

As the US Customs and Border Patrol boosts it's numbers to almost 10,000 this year and as almost US$ 6 Billion is to be spent to maintain the 'virtual fence' over the coming years, massive efforts are being made to improve border security. With numbers crossing falling, these efforts seem to be delivering results.

Despite this, a trickle of undocumented migrants continue to come to the USA by land from Mexico, Central America and farther afield. Following their path north along the Pan Americana, I hope to learn what barriers, borders, checkpoints and inspections they face along the way and why so many people continue to make the journey, despite increasing dangers. 

Starting in one month I will travel from the Panama to the US by land, crossing Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.  Along the way I will document the various border processes and inspection points in an effort to learn the lengths and hardships would-be migrants will go to in their struggle to reach the United States.

This journey across 8 countries will be unimaginably easier for two Irish travelers than for their undocumented compatriots, however we still hope to learn why large numbers still risk everything to try start a new life in the U.S.

First Stop - Panama City on the 22nd of September. Return then for updates!   


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