Cuban Immigration Situation in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. 3-1-17
Their story started over 9 months ago. Cubans by the hundreds left their native land searching for what they considered the promise land — USA. The journey took them through 11 countries with plane, boat, train, and by foot the necessary ways of travel. It took everything they had for this journey and more.
I interviewed one young Cuban lady who was 9 months pregnant. I wanted to hear her story. She and husband started their journey with the assurance that when they touched foot on dry land in the USA, then they would get their visa to stay. They would be able to have their baby in a safe way in the USA. That was the situation for Cubans for decades. But 2 days before our new President was inaugurated, that rule was abolished. How were the Cubans in route before that ruling to know this? This lady’s journey included hiding out from banditos in Mexico and Guatemala. It included long days in the jungle and on the water. She experienced about everything and anything during her journey but she never gave up. She had hope that she would be legally connected with her family in the USA. I did mention that she was pregnant. She is expecting her baby any day now. She is one of around 900 Cubans who are stuck in Nuevo Laredo. They are not interested in breaking the immigration law and crossing the border illegally. They just want to get away from their native country. They want a chance at a normal life. One with a future that is brighter than they had.
For the majority of us, their plight and stories are hidden because they don’t make a great fuss even though they are stuck in limbo in Nuevo Laredo. Our sister church in Laredo, Emanuel BC, and their pastor, Lorenzo Ortiz, are leading volunteers in the US as they try to help with the humanitarian needs of the Cubans. They have sorted food and water for their daily trips to Nuevo Laredo. They have raised money for medical supplies and gas for transportation. They have prayed for and witnessed to the Cubans with an uncanny and unbelievable heart and spirit. God is working through them in the midst of crisis.
Woodland BC has helped too. We were one of the first Baptist Churches to give monetary relief for this crisis. Our contribution went a long way to sustaining some valuable lives in the sight of our Lord. Now we ask you to specifically pray for some long-term solution to this crisis. Pray that the Cubans will be given work visas from Mexico so that they can work and live there productively. Pray that the pastors and churches in Mexico and USA will stay strong in their commitment to love our neighbors in Christ.
Thank you Woodland BC. You are always ready to help people in need.
Ben and Leonora Newell