Border Angels for the undocumented

December 5, 2012

By Misael Virgen for El Nuevo Sol de California State University, Northridge

Executive director and founder of Border Angels, Enrique Morones, kneels in front of a poppers grave at the Holtville Cemetery in the Imperial Valley while holding a cross that reads “no olvidados” (not forgotten). (Photo by Misael Virgen/ El Nuevo Sol)

Since 1994, 10,000 people have died trying to cross the border between the United States and Mexico, according to Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels.

Founded in 1986, Border Angels is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to undocumented immigrants. They initially started helping the undocumented community by bringing food and water to immigrants who were living in the canyons of North County San Diego.

Among those who have attempted the journey are men, women and children. It is common for migrants to pay an expensive price for smugglers to take them through the trek, nonetheless, due to harsh weather conditions and tough terrain, many lose their lives in the attempt to make it across.

Morones said that there are two main reasons why people migrate to the United States – to look for better economic opportunity and for family reunification.

Read the full story at El Nuevo Sol

Check out our coverage of the border at El Nuevo Sol