La Colectiva is an organization that exists to address the challenges that are faced by our immigrant community. We all believe that everyone has the freedom to express their own beliefs and ideals, however, when specific communities and individuals are targeted- that’s when it becomes an issue.
“The next day I got to el Rio Bravo. There was a small boat in the riverbank and I got on it. Before he left the coyote told me that he paid someone to take me on a boat to other side so I thought that boat was for me. I don’t know how long I stay in it but the migra found me and they took me to jail. There were many kids in jail when I got there. There was no food, no beds, no floor, nothing. It was very cold but they didn’t give me anything. We slept on the floor. I was only wearing my dirty shirt and I was shivering but they didn’t give me anything. Days later they sent me to Miami and it was better.”
“I had a little bit of money but the DPI took it from me. I was traveling in a bus in Matamoros and the DPI got on the bus and asked everyone for their money. “Give us all the money you have or you will die here” They had big guns. I gave them everything I had. After that I didn’t have any more money.”
