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International

Central American migrants begin the long trip north

After a disastrous train crash kills six, a look at the risks taken to reach the US. Photographs by John Moore/Getty

August 19, 2013 9:58AM ET
Migrants cross from Guatemala into Mexico, Aug. 2, 2013, one stage of a long, grueling trip north. The photos are part of a project by photographer Moore to put a human face of the issue of immigration.
Migrants cross from Guatemala into Mexico, Aug. 2, 2013, one stage of a long, grueling trip north. The photos are part of a project by photographer Moore to put a human face of the issue of immigration. John Moore/Getty Images
Thousands of undocumeted Central Americans pass illegally through Mexico, many of them en route to the U.S. August 2, 2013, Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, Mexico.
Thousands of undocumeted Central Americans pass illegally through Mexico, many of them en route to the U.S. August 2, 2013, Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, Mexico. John Moore/Getty Images
In Ixtepec, Mexico, Central American migrants leave a freight train on Aug. 6, 2013. After the passage of an immigration reform, Mexican officials have taken a lax approach to halting the passage across their soil.
In Ixtepec, Mexico, Central American migrants leave a freight train on Aug. 6, 2013. After the passage of an immigration reform, Mexican officials have taken a lax approach to halting the passage across their soil. John Moore/Getty Images
“When Americans think of border security,” said Moore, “They imagine that the journey begins with the U.S. border. In fact, that is the end of the journey and it is by no means the most dangerous part.”
“When Americans think of border security,” said Moore, “They imagine that the journey begins with the U.S. border. In fact, that is the end of the journey and it is by no means the most dangerous part.” John Moore/Getty Images
Boarding the train in Ixtepec, August 6, 2013. The ride will last 14 hours, the first leg of six; the trip to the US border typically takes more than 20 days.
Boarding the train in Ixtepec, August 6, 2013. The ride will last 14 hours, the first leg of six; the trip to the US border typically takes more than 20 days. John Moore/Getty Images
Riding north near Juchitan, August 6. It is not uncommon for some to fall asleep and tumble off the top of the train, losing limbs or perishing under the wheels.
Riding north near Juchitan, August 6. It is not uncommon for some to fall asleep and tumble off the top of the train, losing limbs or perishing under the wheels. John Moore/Getty Images
Photographer Moore writes that only a fraction of the migrants who start in Central America will make it completely unscathed to the U.S. border.
Photographer Moore writes that only a fraction of the migrants who start in Central America will make it completely unscathed to the U.S. border. John Moore/Getty Images
Guatemalan Jorge Enrique, 33, photographed at Hermanos en el Camino immigrant shelter, Aug. 5, 2013 in Ixtepec, Mexico. He said that he was headed for Tampa, where he once worked as a house painter.
Guatemalan Jorge Enrique, 33, photographed at Hermanos en el Camino immigrant shelter, Aug. 5, 2013 in Ixtepec, Mexico. He said that he was headed for Tampa, where he once worked as a house painter. John Moore/Getty Images
Honduran Alfredo Hernandez, 21, left, hopes to find work as a taxi driver in Miami. Dulce Maria Varela, 19, also from Honduras, hopes to find work as a waitress
Honduran Alfredo Hernandez, 21, left, hopes to find work as a taxi driver in Miami. Dulce Maria Varela, 19, also from Honduras, hopes to find work as a waitress John Moore/Getty Images (2)
The migrants run to board a freight train headed north early on Aug. 4, 2013 in Arriaga, Mexico. Moore observed trains carrying several hundred migrants apiece.
The migrants run to board a freight train headed north early on Aug. 4, 2013 in Arriaga, Mexico. Moore observed trains carrying several hundred migrants apiece. John Moore/Getty Images
Climbing atop a freight train headed north early on August 4, 2013 in Arriaga, Mexico. The train wreck of Aug. 25 occurred at 3 A.M. in a section of track that was difficult for emergency vehicles to access.
Climbing atop a freight train headed north early on August 4, 2013 in Arriaga, Mexico. The train wreck of Aug. 25 occurred at 3 A.M. in a section of track that was difficult for emergency vehicles to access. John Moore/Getty Images
Among the other dangers of the journey, many migrants are robbed or assaulted by gangs that pray on their vulnerability. Those who have nothing to offer are frequently thrown from the train. August, 4, 2013, Arriaga, Mexico.
Among the other dangers of the journey, many migrants are robbed or assaulted by gangs that pray on their vulnerability. Those who have nothing to offer are frequently thrown from the train. August, 4, 2013, Arriaga, Mexico. John Moore/Getty Images
A plastic bag serves as rain cover, Aug, 4, 2013, in Arriaga. "With all the discussion about immigration reform here in the U.S.," Moore said, "I was hoping that my pictures could put a human face on the issues."
A plastic bag serves as rain cover, Aug, 4, 2013, in Arriaga. "With all the discussion about immigration reform here in the U.S.," Moore said, "I was hoping that my pictures could put a human face on the issues." John Moore/Getty Images

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