One New York City migrant fled Mexico with his family after being kidnapped and beaten by the cartels. Another left Venezuela with his family in search of a better life, prompting him to make the long journey up through the Darien Gap — where he encountered dead bodies in the jungle — to get to America.
Both migrants and their families are currently in a shelter in Long Island City, Queens, at a formerly four-star hotel called the Collective Paper Factory, located at 37-06 36th St.
Their harrowing stories are just two of the many that amNewYork Metro and Queens Post have uncovered over the past year. Others include the family of Yohandri Arevalo who made the journey with his wife and three children from Venezuela. Another is the story of Boubcrin el-Hakim, 25, an immigrant from Mauritania, who flew from Turkey to Colombia and then traveled through central America and Mexico to get to the U.S.
In the latest story, amNewYork Metro spoke to Carlos, 41, a Mexican man who was staying at the Long Island City-located hotel. He began the conversation by lifting his hat to reveal a large bump on the top of his head and marks above his eyes.
Carlos’ tale is the kind shared by thousands of other migrants who, in recent years, have ventured thousands of miles, risking their lives, to come to America and escape violence and tyranny back home. While they face outspoken opposition from some local residents who would rather not have shelters in their backyards, the migrants remain grateful to live in a place of relative safely and freedom, and give themselves and their families a new start.Â
The cruel cartels
Carlos, who did not want to provide his full name because he still lives in fear of the cartels, said the injuries were caused by cartel members beating him with the butt of a rifle while he was being held in their captivity in Mexico. He also revealed missing teeth in the back of his mouth which he says the cartel plucked out as they demanded he hand over money…
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