Alejandro Serpas

full interview

Hello, Alejandro. 
Hello.

Tell me about yourself, Alex. How would you to be adressed in this story?
Alejandro… Serpa.

Alejandro. Alejandro Serpa. Tell me about you, Alejandro Serpa. How would you describe yourself? 
As a quiet, passive and hard working person.

A hard worker… What type of housing do you live in? How is it? Who do you live with, Alejandro? 
It is a building at 31 Bennett Avenue, 10033, Manhattan, New York.

What is it like? How would you describe it?
It’s an apartment on the sixth floor on a building rented out to to Jewish tenants. I live with my daughter, my four granddaughters, my son-in-law, and my wife.

How do you spend your time here, Alejandro? 
Well, lately, applying to job offers. I received my SSN, and renewed my work permit 15 days ago. It cost USD 410. I am waiting for it, so that I can continue the work search. I am unemployed, but… yeah, step by step. 

How do you spend your time now that you are unemployed, Alejandro? 
Reading. I like to edit videos, be friends with people who I can share my time with. With vulnerable people who are on the streets, when they allow me to get closer and be friendly with them. I want to do something good. 

How good has it been to be here, in this country? 
Excellent. Thanks to New York, thanks to this sanctuary city, thanks to the United States, which has programs for refugees and provides asylum to people who have been persecuted. I am extremely grateful. They have been extremely helpful, you know? And I’m very happy about that.

Have you had any difficulties?
Each court set the guidelines and stages for the next judicial process. I can say that I haven’t faced any major problems. The language is the only barrier. It’s not too bad, right? I understand written English, but when someone speaks to me, it’s more difficult. This has been a barrier with Judge John Reinhold at the Federal Plaza. I’ve had to intervene to ask him to repeat or explain himself. Although there are interpreters, it has been a challenge. However, this is a barrier that will diminish over time because we are studying to improve our English. 

Are you studying English? 
Yes.

How do you feel with that? 
Happy. [LAUGHS].

[LAUGHS] Happy? 
I am studying English with non-profit organizations that help people who are in this “non-immigration” status. We don’t have legal status yet. There are institutions that provide us with opportunities, like Mixteca, Cabrini, and the Dominican Women’s Center. These organizations offer support programs for migrants and provide English classes, either in person or via Zoom. 

Do you feel included? You said that the language has been a barrier for you. Do you feel included in this society? 
Yes, it’s limiting because you can’t fully use your talents or develop your potential where you would want to. You have to adapt since you don’t meet the requirements for positions that need an advanced level of English, which I don’t have yet. It’s a significant barrier, a limitation. But we keep learning, practicing, and rehearsing to achieve better opportunities in both employment and social relationships with English-speaking people. People who I can only say “Hello” to and that’s it. It is a barrier, but it is what it is. 

Are there any other barriers? 
As a refugee… It depends on the person. Each person creates their own limitations. But yes, there are barriers. When you ask a migrant or a refugee about the limitations or barriers they face here, they can probably list a few: lack of employment, lack of medical opportunities, lack of labor inclusion, and so on. For me, there haven’t been any limitations because I’ve managed to overcome these challenges, turning them into requirements to surpass in order to meet the expectations and objectives set by the person or company in front of me. 

About these requirements you mention… about what is expected of refugees… How do you think that refugees are perceived in this society, in this country? Do you feel included? How is your life? How does your life as a refugee in this country make you feel? How do you think people see refugees in this country? 
There are some groups that is protesting: “Stop now. No more immigrants. Close the borders. Kick them out.” Maybe because of one person, all migrants get a bad reputation. And there’s another group that supports migrants, different sectors with a humanitarian approach, even Governor Adam, who offered his house to shelter more migrants and asked churches to open their doors. But there’s a group that says: “No, zero migrants. Too much theft, too much assault, too much vandalism.” It’s a small group, right? Even the police have been attacked by a small group from certain countries, which has led to stricter laws for all new migrants. Those who don’t have their asylum arrangements and conditional freedom will face strict rules, especially if they’re involved in criminal activities. They were allowed in through the border without checking for criminal records, and now they’re here. So, there are different sectors that support migrants and others that don’t. It depends on which sector you seek help from; you have to search everywhere to find support and try to do things better. In this country, if you act legally, everything is fine, and doors are open. If you act illegally, suddenly there’s a barrier, and you can’t move forward. 

Now that you talk about “open doors”, what are those “open doors” that you expect to be opened to you? 
Here in New York there are many opportunities, even just by volunteering at a church or any other institution that helps immigrants. These opportunities exist because within these institutions, evaluations and analyses are conducted, even using cameras, to see if the volunteer is genuinely working or just taking advantage of the opportunity, for example, by taking more food that they are entitled to. There are cameras and someone keeps track of everything. If one meets the requirements, those same institutions might offer job opportunities, whether in a call center, to help new immigrants get Medicaid, or in immigration advice on how to get a New York ID. There are many areas and many open doors. In some places, you no longer need a work permit or a SSN to get your driver’s license. This opens many doors, especially for those who know how to drive trucks or buses. New York transit needs drivers. The new labor force is valuable, and the United States has smart policies to take advantage of it.

What doors have been opened to you that you feel have been helpful? 
So far, I have been selected for all the jobs I applied to. But these past 15 days have been problematic because I applied for my work permit already, but I don’t have it with me. If I did, I would start working tomorrow. I paid USD 410 to renew it, and it expires on May 26. It’s April already, it should have arrived by now. They’ll wait for it to expire before sending me a new one. This is a problem because I have already lost a fortnight worth of work. I have a document that clearly states that my work permit is in process and that this sheet is valid for me to start working, but companies don’t see it that way due to the current immigration situation across the United States. In every employment situation, companies want stability, to be sure that I will get my work permit for one, two, three years. They are waiting to see if it will expire or if it is permanent. So I feel that I have had many open doors, but these past 15 days I have been waiting for that document and it hasn’t arrived yet. 

How does this situation make you feel? 
In the economic area, I try to look for other alternatives. Try to create my own small business or small company. There are many opportunities in the food sector, like cooking, researching and analyzing the market, seeing what sells the most, what doesn’t sell well… Then, starting something of my own would only require an ID number, which I have. But, as the judge told me, I should seek stability, have a steady job in a well-known company, and that would help me in the next judicial proceeding to get the opportunity for an extension to be able to apply to residency, which costs between USD 12,000 and USD 15,000. And I want it.

How do all these legal obstacles make you feel in terms of achieving your dream? 
In terms of achieving my dream, in a few words, I feel frustrated. When you are in Mexico, nonprofit organizations make you believe that here in the United States, all these processes will be quick, safe, effective, that there will be efficiency and no paradoxes. They tell you that once you enter the United States, you will be there permanently, but once you are here, you realize it is carried out through a court process. You appear before the court every six months: “Today, we will sign for you…” You appear before the court every year. This makes you think: “Will the judge sign for another six months, for another year, or for my voluntary deportation?” It seems contradictory, and I told the judge that I didn’t really want to enter the United States, but my wife longed to see and enjoy the snow and stuff. I am very grateful, but being here… You have to go through so much. So many procedures, expensive procedures. As I told the judge, no one forced us to enter the United States, it was our decision. It is a privilege that we decided to come to the United States. It needs the workforce, as many companies need workers. So a cleaning, a filtering will be carried out. More than 50 % of immigrants have declared that they do not want to work, that they only came to be supported, to have a lifelong shelter, daily food, fruits… The city already has a budget that is not enough for more immigrants. In New York, the budget is not enough for the new people who are arriving because every night and every day thousands of people cross the border, and the United States cannot handle it. So a filtering will be carried out because a lot of people do want to work. And they have their papers. But there are more than 50% of immigrants who do not want to work. Some immigrants make Tiktoks saying that they are tired of the canned food the government gives them. The city gives them the best and they complain. The Americans support us with their taxes, so we should be grateful. Still, many immigrants don’t want to work. When they need money, they turn to robbery. Many, not all, start robbing jewelry stores, shops. It doesn’t matter that there are cameras, the news always say: “Another robbery in the Bronx,” “One dead in Long Island.” If there is an accident and the driver did not have an insurance or a license, who was it? An immigrant. We get blamed for everything. And this forbid those who follow the rules to have opportunities, and when they finally do, they have to go through a thousand checks and then be told that they are not qualified for the role.

You told me how you think the immigrant is perceived or treated in this country. What are the challenges you have in terms of how you feel in this country with these policies? What challenges do you feel you have? 

For me, the biggest challenge is the monthly rent. Having to pay USD 1,400 every first of the month. There are rents of USD 1,500. They can even be as low as USD 1,000. There are other of USD 900, but it is just a space to sleep and walk. That is the biggest challenge, but it is not impossible. But sometimes I do think that it is impossible, so my mind is the biggest challenge. I get stuck. I want to be able to say: “I’m no longer a burden to the city of New York.” For each person, New York pays from USD 200 to USD 300 or USD 350, depending if it is under a tent or at a five-star hotel. There are expenses for each person. Yeah, the biggest challenge for me is paying rent every month. It would disappear if I just said: “I need shelter,” though. But I would get stuck, because it is a main requirement in order to access legal immigration status not to be maintained by the city of New York. If I can’t support myself, I can’t live in the United States. So, the biggest challenge is having the money. And the monthly amount depends of the location. If it in Manhattan, Upper Manhattan, or Brooklyn, or Long Island. Prices vary. So, it’s not even about living, but just about survival. It depends on the person’s expectations, whether that they can be happy or not.

Speaking of that inner happiness you mentioned, I understand your challenge lies in the economic aspect related to the legal process. But… what gives you that strength? What circumstances do you feel have empowered you? How do you feel about…? Or, could you tell me, because I see that before, obtaining residency was the goal, and now you have it. So, it seems like you’ve been confronting this challenge, right? You’ve managed to make progress. It’s not over yet, but what has given you the strength to keep going? 
The United States doesn’t make exceptions. It has opened its doors to everyone, regardless of nationality, country, race, social or economic status. The greatest push and effort I have is not let the United States down, because it opened its doors to me and my wife, which at the moment was a great blessing. Because of the problems between Mexico, the United States and, at the time, the war in Ukraine, Iraq. Imagine wanting to enter the United States since 2010. Fighting to do so since 2010. Now it’s 2024… 14 years. There have been, in all those years, so many challenges that when, in the end, I was allowed to legally enter with my wife, and I got a SSN, and a work permit… I was amazed. When immigrants go through this entire process and get guidance from doctors, lawyers or notaries public, free of charge, the paperwork speeds up quickly and in less than a year… because any parole, any sponsorship, whether it is an entry through CBP One appointment, no matter what the category is, it is always going to be a conditional freedom, and within a year the immigrant has the opportunity to get their documents in order. I did so before the year was up, which meant having to go through different procedures… Lawyers here and there, seeing how the courts worked, asking, delving into AI. Now, the best thing I can do is thank the United States and do well, work well, be a good citizen. Be grateful for what this country has done for me. Not everyone has the chance. We only have a year to get everything in order, well, not everyone, some had to sign the voluntary deportation after six months. They are not here anymore. I mean, there are two sides. There are many who say: “I would rather have entered through a ‘blind spot’ so that the United States does not know who I am.” Some entered through the border: Tijuana, Piedras Negras, Reynosa, Brownsville… Through any entry point, through a blind spot. There is not record of them. So the United States does not have control over them. With the new policy, the United States says: “It’s better to offer legal entry so they have to register.” They surrender themselves and do their biometric exam. Their fingerprint is recorded. And now we are not looking for: Where is so-and-so? They entered through a blind spot and we can’t find them because there are 60 states. They come and do the biometric exam, but if we do things right, everything goes well. For my part… my four granddaughters are here, my daughter Isabel is in Manhattan, Jessica Guadalupe is in the Bronx, my other daughter, Alejandra, has moved to Canada. And I think to myself: “What more could I wish for?” My wife is here. In December, I want to bring my wife’s grandson. We can travel now! There are so many blessings. We can go… not to my country because I applied for asylum, I can’t go to El Salvador, but I can go to Cuba, I can go to Hawaii, I can go to Spain, anywhere… I can travel, thank God. My wife and I have been given the document that says we can travel, something not everyone has the opportunity to do. And that’s why I won’t let the United States down and I want to do things as correctly as possible.

I sense a lot of emotion in your voice when you talked about bringing your wife’s family. I also feel the emotion when you speak about your family living here. What dreams do you have? I also sense your excitement when you mention that you can now travel to other countries. I assume you have dreams, what are they? 
Yes. Thank you, because, really, if I was able to enter here… there are many people who are being deceived. I try to make public messages, videos, edit videos… to explain that getting to the United States is not the easiest thing in the world. Right now, there is a scam at the border with the coyotes. They charge about USD 15,000 to help you to enter the United States. Illegally. Now, the United States has so many opportunities that, in December, with God’s help, we are going to guide people. We are not declaring ourselves coyotes, we are against them. The United States helped us, and now we are going to repay them poorly? No. We come to guide people. From here, we can guide them on which institutions to visit in Mexico. There’s COMAR, the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. When you are in your country, like Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico… the first thing you say is: “Let’s find the best coyote”. But we are talking about USD 15,000, USD 20,000. Coming to the United States and working five years just to pay coyote debts, and through a blind spot, which for the United States does not exist… you have no identity. It’s okay, because you don’t pay fees or tariffs that every citizen here has to pay. So, my desire, my joy, is because… I will achieve it. My five daughters and my two sons will all be here in the United States one day. Now I only have three left. The others are practically here, yes. Same with my wife, helping her family to be able to come here and go through the whole process. Apply for that legal transit process. You have the opportunity to receive a humanitarian visa. You have the opportunity to receive permanent residence, depending on your case. Or you can apply for 45 days to be in Mexican territory legally, and during that time reach the border. Yes, to get there by plane from Tecún Umán, it takes only hours to reach any point. 

Now that you’ve mentioned your desire to reunite with the rest of your family, what challenges do you face in achieving this goal, this dream of yours? 
A lot of challenges. Time is what works against us the most… Time. Before you know it, a month has already passed. We are in April. By December… the hope is that… We also talk about economic issues. Moving… As I tell my wife, if we can do it from here, there are many tools to help us. But who would want their child to suffer or fall into the hands of people who know their parents will give them the money? The call you and you’ll do what they ask you to do. I don’t want that to happen to people. I don’t want them to fall into the hands of kidnappers or cartels. Of people who want to live at the expense of others who just want to live their dreams. Just like I did. 

What was that dream? 
Coming to the United States with my wife and reunite with my people, my daughters, my sons, and my friends. I have people in Ohio, Buffalo… We’ve tried to help those who don’t have any family. I was given the task in Mexico. From Mexico to Honduras, Colomoncagua, Guatemala… To help my friends. I tried to guide them, saying: “This is how it works, this is what you’re going to do, don’t go that way…” I told them to go to governmental institutions so they could get a permit. We just needed a legal transit permit to be able to go from border to border and stop circling mountains and riding trains. “The beast train,” they’d call it. People die there every day. You have to pay a fee. If you don’t pay, they kill you. As they say, “on the beast train, where life is worthless.” If you have money, you’re worth something. If you don’t have, you’re worthless. So we try to guide them. It doesn’t matter if you sleep at their door. When they open it, they’ll give you a permit so you have legal transit by bus, by plane… Every person has to bring, at least, their passport, a document that shows their name, address, nationality… A birth certificate, an ID card.

Could you describe what that process was like for you? 
There were many attempts. My desire was always to visit Mexico for vacation and then return to El Salvador. In 1996, my dad gave me the choice to go to Honduras or Mexico. I chose Mexico. I visited for the first time, alone, when I was around 19 or 20 years old, and reached the Distrito Federal. Then I went to university in ’97. Every achievement prompted my dad to suggest new destinations, like Cuba. I always felt curious about the American dream, entering illegally was never my intention, even when I had the money to do so. In 2011, I tried to enter legally through Piedras Negras but failed. A great adventure, a great challenge. I couldn’t get through. Out of 20 people, maybe two or three crossed. As for the rest, I don’t know if the river took them, I don’t know what happened to them. Only three of us returned: a woman, another man from Guatemala, and me. And the others? Only two crossed, and the three of us, five. What happened to the other 15? The “coyote” should have waited for the river to be knee-deep. My first experience. I lost the money. I wanted to enter legally, because there was an amnesty in 2011, due to what was happening in El Salvador: wars, gangs, violence… People were asking the United States for help. If you weren’t tattooed, which I wasn’t, and you could prove you were a student, they would give you a chance to enter legally. And so, time and again, after many attempts, I returned to my country. I worked as a teacher for 18 years. Throughout all of that, there were student riots, new thoughts, new philosophies. Humanism and the mind. Some thought according to Marxism, others according to Hellenism, some that El Salvador belonged to the United States. Despite all that, people wanted to be in the United States. When was it that we really were able to enter the United States? March 28th, 2023. Imagine, from 2010 to 2023. Many attempts, many stories. I almost lost my hand, I walked with machete wounds on my feet. For seven years I kept my hair long because it hurt from the abuse I suffered on the way. I mean, I was half dead. The doctors gave me the opportunity, through the International Agency of the United Nations, to enter legally. When they examined my wounds, saw the photos, saw where I came from, saw that I had no criminal record, they said: “Well, and… what are you doing here? You should be teaching in your country, in El Salvador.” “I want to fulfill my dream,” I told them, “to fulfill my dream of being in the United States, for me and for my wife. I want her dreams to come true.” In 2023, they let us in. Through the port of Macali, Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Handprints, profile photo, front photo. “Upon entry, you’re granted a year to sort out your legal status. Within this year, you have the opportunity to either secure permanent residency or voluntarily leave. If you choose to return to your home country, you can apply for a visa or a work visa to re-enter. However, please note that these are personal expenses that you’ll need to manage. If, within the year, you can sort yourself out and seek legal advice, you might be eligible to stay permanently in the United States.” I’m thankful that we’ve achieved this. That’s it; we’ve accomplished our goal. Simply put, if one behaves improperly, they risk losing those documents. It’s crucial. Now that I possess the necessary documents, I can return. It’s a turnaround from my past mistakes. There are numerous factors that could jeopardize one’s legal status in this country, right? For instance, if I work, I must contribute to the Yareth fund. Neglecting to do so is a violation of citizenship responsibilities. In the United States, adherence to Yareth tax procedures is mandatory. It involves meticulous record-keeping: tracking earnings, expenses, investments, and documenting any funds sent abroad. Failing to report income is not an option.

When you tell me about these challenges, all these problems you’ve had in your life, do you think about them, now that you’re here? How does it make you feel when you think about them? Do you think about them often? 
Yes. Actually, when I entered in 2023, I didn’t ask for psychological help, but they gave me assistance for psychiatric or psychological consultations because, in Mexico, I was undergoing treatment for the accidents I had suffered along the way, despite having my temporary residence document. When I managed to settle with my wife, I obtained permanent residence in Mexico. I have my documentation, my residence, permanent residence, because of my wife, who is Mexican. So now that we have entered, at night I say: “Well, I need therapy.” Psychological care is not just for crazy people. No, it’s to monitor emotional states, balance stress, anxiety, emotions… because here we live with mood swings… We are in a capitalist system; we are alienated, like it or not, by consumerism. And now, with all the tragedies one has gone through, entering here and seeing everything and saying: “Today we are living the American dream, come on, work like a mule, get to work. If you want to live well, you have to work. If you want to enjoy and have fun, you have to work. If you want to go to Long Island, to the beach, to Coney Island, if you want a car, you have to work.” You have to work, if not, you don’t eat. If not, you don’t enjoy life. In the midst of all that, I remember when they struck me with machetes… Sometimes I fall into depression and say to myself: “Well…”. My wife sees me and suggests that I go to therapy. “No, no, I… I know I can, I can.” I remember the breathing exercises, I go to the park, I start exercising again. It’s not easy. [EMOTIONAL] It’s not easy when there are lingering effects and wounds that haven’t healed from everything you’ve suffered, from seeing your own blood and saying: “It’s not my blood.” And no one helps you. Those wounds don’t heal. That’s history, that’s real. Those aren’t fairy tales. I’m a story of daily sufferings. But here I am. Only those who have fallen from great heights know how to get back up because they’ve been at the top. Those who have never fallen know nothing. Every battle is personal. If we want to achieve our goals, if we want to achieve our dreams, let’s be warriors! Stop lamenting. Stop saying: “My family doesn’t help me.” There is nothing sadder than being in Mexico and not having your wife by your side. They may even not answer the phone call. When you want unconditional support, and everyone closes the door, and when they answer, they say: “Here in the United States, here’s no family. Here in the United States, everyone falls and keeps going. Come on, you’re here now! Good luck, keep moving forward!” We keep moving forward and are teaching others not to throw in the towel. Many gave up, many were left behind, many will never be received by their family in their country… I’m a living story, I’ve seen deaths. And that’s how I keep going forward, yes. We must keep trying a thousand times more. For those who hear my words: it doesn’t matter. We can try a thousand times more… Many say: “The American dream is over, the United States is over, there are no opportunities.” How can that be true? For those who plan and manage strictly, the United States can still offer a lot, to help their family, to help their loved ones, to help build a house for their parents. A lot can still be achieved in the United States. It’s just labels saying: “Don’t come to the United States because it’s over. Here you’ll only work for rent, here you’ll only work for food.” No! There are many opportunities, depending on the state. For example, New York is a sanctuary city, fighting to keep that title because there are so many immigrants. There’s no space. Soon the police will start acting. Right now, they are just watching and observing. When they receive the order, buses and planes will be filled with people being deported to their countries. The police won’t investigate. It will be “Come here, and…” Deported, end of story. That’s why you should go straight from work to home to keep fulfilling your dream. When you go out to enjoy yourself, be honest and decently dressed, so the police don’t say: “And this one? Ah, this is the one we’re looking for.” Yes, we can move forward. Even the disabled, even those in wheelchairs. We helped them cross the river. I crossed the river helping my friends not just once, but two, three times, and went back because I knew I would enter legally. Even in a wheelchair, even on crutches, amputated by the train, we managed to help them cross. And here they are, great living stories. 

Alex, yours is truly an inspiring story. Reflecting on everything you’ve been through, it’s evident that it’s been a profound journey and such challenge to reach your dream. This leads me to ask: What drove you to leave your home country, your former life? What circumstances led you to seek refuge? 
In 2001, when I finished my degree, we were caught up in ideological battles. The Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) was in power in El Salvador. Students were expected to sympathize with the ruling party, but our university was Marxist-Leninist in ideology. We were taught according to the opposing party’s philosophy, the Farabundo Martí Front (FMLN). When we won the student assembly elections, it wasn’t the legislative assembly, but the student assembly, from which many future leaders emerged. The university wasn’t given the chance to lead politically because there was a monopoly on political power. Elections were a façade, and it was known beforehand which party would win. All this turmoil led us to support the left-wing party, which aimed to help the poor. However, after the death of their main leader, Schafik Hándal, the new leaders distorted the founding ideals of Farabundo Martí, who had fought for equal rights for all Salvadorans. The agrarian reform redistributed land from wealthy coffee plantation owners to the poor and workers. It wasn’t free; the workers had to pay monthly, but they were happy to own their land. Amid this student unrest, leftist leaders began to die, and Mauricio Funes, an eloquent broadcaster, won the presidency. The FMLN rose, but people started disappearing behind the scenes. As volunteers teaching Spanish literature, linguistics, or phonetics, we noticed armored cars with machine guns at the university. Informants were everywhere. They began asking about leaders like me, Reynaldo Alejandro. When someone was sought, they often disappeared within a week. I realized I couldn’t stay because they started asking for me. After we lost the General University Assembly, many of us opposed the changes, leading to a nationwide transformation. Even university deans were replaced. Elections were held again, and the rector was changed to Mrs. Isabel de Rodríguez, who made radical changes. These changes forced me to leave El Salvador for a few months to go to Honduras. I lived in Piper and Colomoncagua, then returned home, living in anonymity. Even after seeing my colleagues die, I secretly continued teaching for 18 years, struggling for survival. Living in constant fear, I had to decide quickly. When, during the third-cycle, students began asking more questions, I taught them basic theological principles. My father wanted me to be a pastor, and my mother wanted me to be a priest. I trained for both but found issues with how religion controlled people. My religious background helped me teach truthfully. This honesty caused opposition, leading to meetings every three months with school authorities questioning my teaching methods. Private religious schools were unhappy with my approach, causing further conflict. Eventually, I had to leave because my teachings led to religious persecution. My father encouraged me to visit Mexico, where I eventually decided to stay. I brought my family over, but threats continued. One day they shot at my door, and I knew I had to leave for safety. Leaving El Salvador involved various ideological conflicts within universities intertwined with politics. Politics influenced universities, which in turn shaped minds and controlled the masses. In Mexico, I faced new challenges. University friendships and lack of control led me to drugs, excesses, women, and wasteful spending. I liked that people called me “Sir,” they even called me “Mr.” My ego thrived until I ended up living in the dumps, despite being a resident. Disappointment over not being able to serve in my country and losing my pension despite 18 years of work drove me to that. Those are just excuses, though. Nobody turns to drugs solely because of disappointment. It’s a preference. It’s about trying it out. Growing up in an ecclesiastical environment, I needed to explore the other side of the world. I hit rock bottom, but I rose from the ashes like the phoenix. I declared, “Today, I’m here, I’m rising, and I won’t fall again.” 

When you said you “rose from the ashes like the phoenix,” where did you find that strength? What were the sources of your resilience? 
That’s quite clear. It was in the state of Aguascalientes. The person whom I have been grateful for throughout this journey, during all these decisions… Yes, I hit rock bottom. And when you’re at a point where people don’t want to come near you because “you smell, you don’t bathe, you’re living in garbage dumps”… Yet, I never went without essentials. It was my partner who pulled me up, who took my hand in an Aguascalientes park and urged, “Get up, you’re going back to your room today, shower, change, cut your hair – you need to rise!” I was just waiting for that helping hand. [EMOTIONAL] Back when I had money, friends were aplenty. But when the money, liquor, and drugs dwindled, so did the friends. It was either change or perish. My wife said, “Get up, you’ve got your own space, your apartment, go to a shelter, don’t wander!” Then, she dropped a bomb: “Last night they killed Carlos.” [CRYING] And that’s when I told her: “Help me. I don’t want to die. Please, help me.” Those words hit hard. Carlos, from Guatemala, met a brutal end. I showered, feeling renewed, yet craving the drugs and wine. I was stuck indoors, ashamed. [CRYING] I’d gone from being called “Doctor” to “The Bum,” jus like the movie “The Castaway.” My wife revealed a harsh truth: Carlos died because they mistook him for me. He died a few meters away from where I was. They wanted me dead. “We have to act,” I insisted. Strapped for cash, I couldn’t make a move… My accounts remained locked. Since November, I’ve been trying to send USD 2,000 to the United States. No luck. Now they want me to send money to a third-world country. The accusation? Cartel involvement or shady dealings. Behind the scenes… countless untold stories. But my partner and I, guided by faith, approached the authorities again. This time, we qualified for another reason: death threats. Carlos’s death was a wake-up call. So, there were three reasons why I was eligible: one, because of the political ideology in my country; two, because of my religious background; and three, because of death threats. I couldn’t stay. My partner, my rock, stood by me, despite the odds. Today, I’m grateful for her unwavering support. She believed in me when others labeled me “trash.” Now, I’m faced with a choice: go solo or with someone. Alone? No. She has been my beacon, and I won’t let her down. I told her, “Go get your ID. Go, because I’m leaving on Saturday.” I went to City Hall; they managed to bury Carlos. People, even the lawyer, urged, “You have to get out of here.” Then, in another park, another body was found. Revenge was imminent. It’s an untold story. We just needed the ID to board the plane and buy her ticket. We walked and walked to buy tickets, pricey because it was last minute. No discounts. And here we are. 

Alejandro, you just mentioned your wife and, just to be sure for this interview, your wife… I understand that she would like to remain anonymous. Just to clarify that for this interview we would have to remove the name you just said of your wife. Right?
Yes.

Ok. But I understand why it’s important for me to hear the fact… Although I know that for you it is extremely important. Because you named your wife by her full name. And here she is winning in Mato. But I realize that she was that strength when it comes to people. Right? A great help for you when dealing with this problem. Did you have any other emotional strengths at the time that helped you deal with all of these problems? You had strengths from your past, from your previous trips that grew and that were helpful for you. What were those strengths that you consider that you had with you to face these problems? 
Yes, indeed, truly. Because just as there were strengths, there were also weaknesses. But practically everything is part of the SWOT analysis. S.W.O.T. Strengths and weaknesses. So, one of my greatest strengths, since childhood, was that I grew up with practical people who never gave up. For example, my grandmother. People who believed, in their own way, in God. But at three in the morning, they were awake, and I would cling to them, just 12 years old, saying, “Grandma, I’m going with you.” Because I wanted to learn, from a young age, to be as brave as them, yes. So, people who instilled in me the decision that it can be done. Even when I heard behind my back, “He won’t make it. You’ll see, he’ll be defeated. You’ll see, he’ll come back. Just wait, he won’t be able to do it.” I walked with the mindset “yes, it can be done.” In any situation, I applied that formula. If it was my addiction, I hoped that one day, I could overcome it. If it was crossing the border, I knew that at some point, even if the river stopped us, we would pass legally, because that was the… that was the ultimate goal. We went to the river just to enjoy. We looked… and we helped, not just one, not two, not three… many, we showed them the way to go, where the blind spots were. But we knew that we would return to our little home and wait for those moments… we would enter legally. For me, the strength lay in the company I kept, individuals who, despite their own setbacks, showed me what it meant to rise again. Their faith, whether in God or simply in themselves, became my own guiding light. Growing up with a deep understanding of Scripture and religious teachings, I’ve carried those principles into adulthood. They’ve become the foundation upon which I build my respect for others, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. So, yes, that resilience, that unwavering belief that “yes, it can be done,” that’s my greatest strength. 

Alejandro, you’ve shared your experiences here, your dreams in this new place. You’ve discussed the challenges, struggles, and strengths you faced and what prompted you to leave your country. Now, I’m curious, what dreams did you have before all of this? Have those dreams come true? Did they persist during this process? Tell me about your dreams before embarking on this asylum-seeking journey. 
My entire life, I’ve envisioned running my own business in Mexico. That was always my goal, not urgently moving to the United States. My dream was to enter the U.S. legally, stay for six months, and then travel back to explore investment opportunities in Mexico. I’ve come close to fulfilling that dream. Now, I just need to finalize my strategies and make a few moves to say, “It’s time to be my own boss, to generate my own income.” I have the resources, the tools, and the guidance. What’s left? Taking the first step. I need to figure out where to get the initial capital and then make that first move, even if it means starting small, like selling coffee outside a station with a thermos. That’s how this giant supermarket chain Paiz started in Guatemala: selling tomato sauce. Now, they’re bigger than Walmart. It all begins with the first step. In the United States, expectations can be met, but it requires effort. Nothing will be handed to you. Success won’t come if you’re waking up at 10 or 11 in the morning. It demands sacrifice. We have 24 hours in a day. We’re allowed to work eight hours legally. That leaves 16 hours. You can work another eight hours discreetly, in cash, with trusted people. And you still have eight hours to sleep. It is possible to meet expectations. These are our plans. We have them written down. What we speak into existence is what we achieve. We’re confident about winning in court because it all starts with a positive mindset. That daily dose of optimism and positive attitude drives us. Even before things happen, we act like we’ve already won. 

Well, we’re almost done with this interview. I just want to confirm a few things and clarify some points, okay? Firstly, I understand your love for your wife, and when you mention her, just to note in this audio that we don’t want to mention her by name… That she prefers to remain anonymous. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any points I may have missed that you want to share about your life in relation to this situation that started this story, from when you needed to leave your country, your journey, to seek refuge in another country, another state? Is there anything you’d like to contribute to this story to round it out? 
It doesn’t matter the country, the city, or the state, or where people decide to travel. In any country, a person who is successful, entrepreneurial, and has established ideals will succeed, no matter where they are. For those who will listen to my story: I, Reinaldo Alejandro Meza Serpa, despite having obtained my permanent residency in Mexico, and despite being given an opportunity by the United Nations, I still warn everyone: do not play with fire. Mexico is a country full of opportunities and abundance, but you should not play with fire. This happened to me. There are untold stories where I almost lost my left hand and left foot. At one in the morning, because I was playing with fire, I was injured, and they tried to kill me. It was my best friend, yes. My best friend with two others. You should not expose yourself if you are going to travel from any country—whether it’s Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, Spain, or any other place where this story is told. You will always have to go through Mexico unless you come by ship or arrive directly by plane without stopping in Mexico. Mexico is a beautiful, wonderful country that I carry in my heart. But be careful! It is a double-edged sword. You have to be very careful. Thank God, I am not a protected witness. I could not become a protected witness because the people I worked with in Mexico were arrested before I could testify against them. It was useless for me to give my statements against them. Trying to gain an opportunity by accusing those around me in Mexico was ruled out, but new opportunities arose, and they were the best. Everything was part of the process. A process that, in the end, I can say that something bad that happened to me in Mexico turned out to be for the best. Be very careful being in the land of Mexico. Really, you should not even trust your own shadow. 

It seems this occurred during the process of seeking asylum in this country. The situation that happened to you in Mexico… You just mentioned that this could have been an opportunity for you to gain access to this country. Could you elaborate on this… on what happened? How did it happen? What were the advantages you found in it? And the disadvantages? Your challenges, your dreams, your strengths? Based on what you’re telling me, about the injuries you received through a Mexican friend of yours… Can you talk to me about that? 
That’s right. When I arrived at Tapachula International Airport, which is about an hour and a half from Puerto Madero… The Tapachula International Airport was exactly ten minutes from the Palo Seco Junction in Acaxman canton. This became my base during my fifth trip to Mexico. So, whenever I submitted my job application, I tried to highlight all my accomplishments in my home country. Each time I came to Mexico and stayed for about six months I made sure to pursue a four-month certification in the Spanish language, morphology, and various cultural and artistic areas, such as theater, which always fascinated me. When I was hired, our work began near Tapachula International Airport. My application, along with many others, was chosen… to establish the first UNHCR shelter in Tapachula, serving as a model for other states. This shelter was crucial because many immigrants would sleep on roadsides, risking their lives, facing theft and persecution. The United Nations hired engineer Pedro Villa to lead the construction. Engineer Pedro Villa assigned me the task of transporting personnel from downtown to the UNHCR grounds. He entrusted me with the keys and a vehicle since I had a valid driver’s license for both cars and motorcycles. We started working together, and over time, our relationship grew to the point where he referred to me as “son,” reflecting the familiarity we developed. Eventually, I even served as his nighttime bodyguard, given his elderly age and solitary lifestyle. After a year, during my 15-day vacation period, a friend approached me with a job offer. I remained loyal to engineer Pedro Villa, who allowed me to take my vacation. The agency was called “Constructora Orion SA. de CV.” We went from Tapachula to fix the Jesús de Corzo airport. A luxury airport. Who won the bid? Engineer Pedro Villa. My friends would tell me: “Be careful. They say you’re the engineer’s favorite.” I decided to help another engineer during this time. Unfortunately, this engineer, a close friend, orchestrated a violent attack on me, nearly costing me my life. Late one night, around 1 a.m., as I returned to the neighborhood “El Chele” after a day’s work, three individuals attacked me with machetes. They ambushed me near the street leading to the migrant station. The attack stemmed from envy, fueled by the fact that the engineer, who held a degree and was officially recognized as an engineer, resented the fact that I, without formal qualifications, was performing tasks that he was supposed to handle. While he merely gave orders and remained in the car, I was the one executing those orders. This threatened his authority and undermined his position. Despite my lack of formal training, I relied on the guidance of Manuel, an experienced welder, who told me: “You stay close to me, you’ll learn something.” When the engineer began delegating tasks to me, he would ask, “Can you handle this?” “Yes.” And I would seek assistance from Manuel, saying, “Manuel, come. Let’s work on…” Manuel never disappointed me; he was always there to support me. Meanwhile, the engineer, realizing that things were not going well for him despite earning three times more than I did, resorted to drastic measures. On that day, the engineer arrived acting calmly and asked, “Alejandro, can I stay here in your apartment tonight?” He put away his tools, stored all his equipment, and went out to eat with the other two friends at the restaurant owned by the same engineer, Pedro Villa. It was a karaoke joint, nightclub, and restaurant. So, when he arrived at midnight, he was already drunk and said to me, “You know what? I want to keep drinking. Can you buy me a beer?” No, engineer. But you’re the one with more money.” I haven’t been paid for the last 15 days because he gave me a break, saying it was a 15-day vacation. And I decided to support him. He didn’t pay me for those 15 days because I didn’t listen to engineer Pedro Villa’s advice to stay home and rest, even though it was his house. But there, I had all the benefits because I always supported him and… acted like his son. Now, for wanting to help the other engineer, he didn’t pay me for those 15 days. He drank way too much, and he wanted money for drugs, for cocaine. “No, the thing is… my partner is here, I can’t, the neighbors are here, and I don’t want any trouble because the landlady trusts us.” I gave him a place to stay, I let him stay here tonight because he said he couldn’t go to Tabasco because his car needed maintenance. “No problem, there are two beds. I’ll sleep in this hammock with my partner, and his two friends can sleep in that bed, and you can stay here, engineer.” At one in the morning, they were attacking me with the same machetes I had in the room. All I remember was him saying, “All good, right? Why didn’t you let me sleep with your wife? I’ve always been in love with your wife… You didn’t let me. This is what you get.” [SOUND OF A BLOW] Agonizing… No one came out of any of the rooms in the neighborhood. Of course, who would want to risk getting hurt? At six in the morning, they came to help me. The engineer, whose name I’ll keep to myself, signed that he was going to give USD 65,000 to the hospital, and that would cover my treatments and everything… They took me to the prosecutor’s office, where I had to give statements. Meanwhile, the engineer called me, pleading, “Alejandro, please stop what you’re doing. If Don Pedro Villa fires me, I’ll lose my job, I’ll lose everything… I know there’s a lot at stake, but I want to stay there.” He was desperate to retain his position because he controlled the company’s payroll and had been embezzling funds. Despite his pleas, I remained firm. Later, he called me from Tuxtla, offering me a house as a peace offering and begging for forgiveness. He admitted his actions were fueled by alcohol and drugs, claiming the drink I gave him was spiked. He expressed deep regret and asked for forgiveness. Despite his apologies, I assured him that neither he nor his money concerned me. When engineer Pedro Villa visited me at the hospital, he was visibly concerned and questioned me about the incident. This event unfolded against the backdrop of our location on the coast, where the drug trade thrived. I, Alejandro, was deeply intertwined in this world, prompting those involved to silence me, fearing my knowledge posed a threat. A close friend, whose identity I must conceal, held significant power within the Tapachula cartel. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, he lost his authority. Had it not been for his downfall, he could have entered the United States as a crucial witness. However, since he was already under investigation, my testimony against him was unnecessary. I became the target of those seeking to silence me, despite not being the one to reveal sensitive information about their operations. For years, I’ve sacrificed sleep and risked my life for Don Pedro Villa. I’ve made countless trips to Puerto Madero, transporting cars loaded with crystal meth, fentanyl, and other drugs bound for ports in the United States. This illicit trade sustains the habits of Americans, migrants, and anyone else willing to pay. Yet, there are untold stories behind these transactions. When engineer Pedro Villa visited me in the hospital and questioned why this happened to me, it underscored the hidden truths of our situation. I reminded him of my loyalty, how I’d always served him faithfully, like a silent grave. I assured him of my silence. It wasn’t me who revealed our secrets, but rather, other powerful figures within the cartel. I played my role as a mere courier, facilitating the movement of goods, oblivious to the vast sums involved. The engineer offered me USD 65,000 as compensation, but I refused. He warned that I might lose my hand, a grim reminder of the attack. When they came to check on me, I hadn’t spent even 24 hours in the hospital. At eleven o’clock at night, I left and never returned. I went straight to the United Nations and they told me that I qualified. They saw the blood, the photos, the documents from the prosecutor’s office, and they confirmed my eligibility. They took me to the state of Aguascalientes. My wife is from there. The UNHCR was excellent. It was a complete migrant shelter company, one of the best in Mexico, with earthquake-resistant walls and prefabricated material. They’ve never built another UNHCR like it, and that’s the model for other UNHCRs, for other international agencies aiding refugees. They supported me entirely because I didn’t leave any incriminating evidence. Even though I worked as a motorist at night, I never loaded or unloaded anything, I never smoked in Aguascalientes. I was so disappointed that I said, “I should have died.” I sought death automatically, but I survived. My partner helped me, and to this day, the engineer is thankful because I never filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office. Before being here, I went to the prosecutor’s office and withdrew everything. I said, “I can’t do that because I don’t want them to do something bad to me.” Why would I do that when I’m the one who deserves being in jail for illegal trafficking of products and narcotics? Why would I wish harm upon another person? I withdrew the complaint, I didn’t want money. I left. 

Alejandro, your last story was very interesting, and I believe it’s closely related to why you were granted political asylum in this country. But I just want to clarify one point: you mentioned two engineers, first, one engineer, you did give his name, Pedro, with his last name. I just want to make sure that, during your account, we can mention this person’s name, or would you prefer that we omit the name of this person you just mentioned, who is called engineer Pedro Villa… 
He can be mentioned. I’ve been in contact. He advised me to return to Mexico… I bear no ill will towards him. He was never directly involved because all his secretaries, all the personnel in charge of his three companies, and at least his company, Constru Orión, are commendable. It’s a company that aids people, creates job opportunities, and adheres to ISO 2001 quality standards. I hold no grudges against him.

Well, you mention another engineer, who I understand from your story, became your friend and was the person who ended up attacking you. Is that so? 
Yes.

Just to make it clear, because you mentioned two engineers and… The one you didn’t name by name is the person who attacked you, and engineer Pedro is the person who ended up helping you throughout this process. 
Yes.

Well, thank you very much, Alejandro. With this, we conclude the interview. Thank you very much for your time. Anything else you want to tell us? 
Thank you. The struggle is never in vain. When there are ideals, when we live by principles and cultivate positive habits, the result will be positive. Let us never tire of doing good, even if we get hurt. Let us never tire of helping, even if we do not receive help ourselves. Let us not confuse true help with money, because what we really need are ideas to prosper. Let us never give up on achieving our dreams; those who achieve them, triumph; those who do not, have a thousand opportunities to do so. I wish success for everyone. Do not be afraid of success. Success opens doors. You just need to take the first step and move forward. 

Thank you.