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The Other Side Of The American Dream: Portraits Of Migrants Who Suffered When Entering The US
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The Other Side Of The American Dream: Portraits Of Migrants Who Suffered When Entering The US

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This project aims to make society aware of the realities to which the migrants who cannot fulfill the American Dream are subjected. It offers a glimpse into the human failure that more and more individuals endure in their attempts to reach the United States.

The dreams of hundreds of thousands of undocumented people who find themselves lost in Mexican territory are shattered as they become victims of sexual assaults or accidents during their hard trek toward a better life.

It is the story of failure and grief, of contempt connected to the violation of the human rights of those who are unable to reach their destination. They become the victims of all forms of vexations and humiliations, targeted by migration authorities and gangs like the Maras Salvatruchas alike.

“Al otro lado del sueño” (the other side of the dream) shows the other side of Central American migration and the enormous price paid in search of a good job and a better future. It reveals evidence of the vast and painful insensitivity of the Mexican border.

Photographs were taken by  Nicola “Ókin” Frioli, all rights reserved.

More info: nicolaokinphotography.com

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    Teofilo Santos Rivera, 42, Panamá. He was the victim of an attempted mass assault by gang members during his crossing through Mexico. He jumped off the roof of the train, hurting his feet

    migrant-stories-al-otro-lado-del-sueno-nicola-okin-7

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    He also suffers from liver cirrhosis and a cancerous sore on his back. In January 2014, a doctor gave him only 40 days to live. His goal is to reach his children and grandchildren in the U.S. to say goodbye. Tapachula, Chiapas, 2014.

    Mariana, 29 years old, Honduras. She was assaulted during her crossing as an undocumented person through Mexico with the intent to arrive in the United States. She was pushed by the assailants into a ravine, and was able to avoid an attempted rape

    Mariana’s travel companion was beaten when he attempted to defend her. She was moved to a hospital in Tenosique, Tabasco, and then to three others that did not perform the operation she needed. Fifteen days passed (8 spent in a hospital in Villahermosa, Tabasco) until the operation became urgent. The last doctor that saw her only requested a new splint and a call to immigration. Tapachula, Chiapas, 2010.

    Armando, El Salvador (pictured left). His destination was the United States, but he was deported in Baja, California while riding in a cargo train crossing Mexico. He retried the trip through Tenosique, Tabasco

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    While trying to board the train on his second attempt, he fell and the train amputated his arm. He awaits a document certifying him as a refugee. Tapachula, Chiapas, 2014.

    21-year-old Salvador Santo’s backpack. He has written the phone number of a relative in Honduras on the inside. Hiding information is meant to prevent abductions and the extortion of his family while he crosses Mexico

    According to the National System of Public Security, 3,600 abduction cases were reported to the Attorney General in 2013, compared to 1,259 in 2012. Mexico, 2014.

    Anonymous person with daughters hidden behind cardboard to protect their identity. The message says, “I have worked with drug traffickers (in Honduras) to support my family, until I fled for the safety of my children”

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    In Central America, one of the few jobs available is drug trafficking. Tapachula, Mexico, 2014.

    A husband’s hat. Lydia’s (Honduras) husband died two years ago from brain trauma during an impact with a train. It was the only item returned to Lidia when they delivered the body

    She is traveling on foot with a caravan of undocumented migrants headed by Father Solalinde from the Albergue “Hermanos en el camino”. D.F., Mexico, 2014.

    Gonzalo (pictured right), turned 22 during his trip as an undocumented person in Mexico. His family in Honduras hopes that he’ll make it to the U.S.

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    He left a message on this board for his wife and 9 month old daughter: “Lorena, Rafaela, I miss you a lot. Back soon.” Ixtepec, Oaxaca, 2011.

    This rosary was given to Elsa Santos Mateo (28, Honduras) by her employer in Guatemala to protect her during her journey

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    D.F., Mexico, 2014.

    Yenifer, 8, Guatemala. She suffered, along with her 12 year old sister and 11 other migrants, from an automobile accident in Chiapas. The accident was caused by a flat front tire of the truck they were in

    The only person who died was the driver. They wanted to reach the U.S. Tapachula, Chiapas, 2014.

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    Nicola Okin Photography

    Nicola Okin Photography

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    He has worked in Mexico, India, Pakistan, Kashmir, Sardinia, Ecuador. Ókin is now based in Mexico City. Widely published, Ókin’s work can be seen in such fine magazines as I have been published in National Geographic (Germany), Time Magazine, The Indipendent on Sunday, The New Yorker Magazine, The Guardian, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Maclean’s Magazine, Dagbladet, Financial Time, Men's Health, GUP Magazine and others.

    Read less »
    Nicola Okin Photography

    Nicola Okin Photography

    Author, Community member

    He has worked in Mexico, India, Pakistan, Kashmir, Sardinia, Ecuador. Ókin is now based in Mexico City. Widely published, Ókin’s work can be seen in such fine magazines as I have been published in National Geographic (Germany), Time Magazine, The Indipendent on Sunday, The New Yorker Magazine, The Guardian, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Maclean’s Magazine, Dagbladet, Financial Time, Men's Health, GUP Magazine and others.

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    IWantBurgers
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel so heartbroken when I see these people they have gone through so much all they wanted was a better life, why don't they get a chance?

    CathleenZuabi
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    they will come to to US and get free everything for the rest of their lives. We already have enough legal citizens who already do just that

    Load More Replies...
    melbfk
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Starving, homeless, desperate, people are starving, homeless, desperate people wherever they are. Location is beside the point.

    EffiPampelmuse
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right! EVERYWHERE there are people in danger, or hungry... The place doesn't matter, there is no "we have enough of them in our country"!

    Load More Replies...
    CarmenDiazMorris
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am the first person to say that there are way too many starving and homeless people in our country, but this breaks my heart...

    Load More Comments
    IWantBurgers
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel so heartbroken when I see these people they have gone through so much all they wanted was a better life, why don't they get a chance?

    CathleenZuabi
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    they will come to to US and get free everything for the rest of their lives. We already have enough legal citizens who already do just that

    Load More Replies...
    melbfk
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Starving, homeless, desperate, people are starving, homeless, desperate people wherever they are. Location is beside the point.

    EffiPampelmuse
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right! EVERYWHERE there are people in danger, or hungry... The place doesn't matter, there is no "we have enough of them in our country"!

    Load More Replies...
    CarmenDiazMorris
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am the first person to say that there are way too many starving and homeless people in our country, but this breaks my heart...

    Load More Comments
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