Jany Martinez-Ward joins Oasis Radio 1210 AM’s “Misión Frontera de Ilusiones”

Jany Martinez-Ward joins Oasis Radio 1210 AM’s “Misión Frontera de Ilusiones”

Everyone is familiar with the popular phrase “honor to be honored,” ​​and that is what Jany Martínez-Ward wanted to put into practice these days. A renowned lawyer who specializes in traffic accidents recently joined Oasis Radio 1210 AM’s “Mission Frontera de Ilusiones,” or “Border of Hope Mission.” In the few days they spent there, the group visited Matamoros, Tamaulipas, where immigrants usually cross the Rio Grande. But when we hear about the things that happen there, many of us think: “How does this affect me?” Well, to Jany Martinez-Ward, this situation reminds her of her own migrant experience twenty years ago when she was a young girl. Like a lot of immigrants who arrive in that region today, her parents crossed the border when she was a little girl with her mother and brother. The only thing they had with them was what they were wearing; other than the tremendous burden of sorrow that they had left behind and the incredible feeling of hope that sustained them during their journey.

At the time, Jany was 14 and her baby brother was just a few months old. While leaving Cuba was already extremely traumatizing for her, seeing how her mother was taken into custody, while she and her brother were placed in a “foster home” for thirty days, a facility where they were held until they were relocated, was even more traumatic. Only those who have experienced the frustration of not knowing the language, the laws, and the uncertainty of what the next day will bring understand how immigrants feel at such times. For Jany Martínez-Ward, many years have passed since then, and while she is proud to be an American today, she still bears the memory of that period in her life. Because of this, the news, migrants’ statements, and the tragedies they deal with affect her deeply. In a conversation with her husband Greg, Jany spoke about her decision to support the station and her church’s mission. Without hesitation, he contributed financial resources and prayed for the mission.

The volunteers of the “Mission Frontera de Ilusiones” made their way to the site and shared with migrants from two nearby camps. Camps? No, they were just flimsy tents made with large plastic bags that we usually buy for garbage; the type of garbage bags that we use to throw away leftover food expired food in our refrigerators, or food that has been piled up and damaged on our shelves each day. Ropes were tied between the trees to hang the bags that barely protected the families from the cold winter as they tried to stay warm. People of all ages were gathered inside, including men, kids, and women. Plastic bags made up their floor, and they barely had a blanket to cover themselves. Outside and by the garbage, they had surrounded some stakes with plastic and used this area as a toilet. There’s more to their problems than just their living conditions. They live in a state of uncertainty and are afraid of the future. Even though there are legal hurdles, they’re focused on America. Viewed from a distance, this is very close, but far from reality.

Recently, Mexico militarized its border, and the Biden administration said Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans could only enter through humanitarian parole. However, there are also citizens of other Central American countries and other nationalities among them. Their circumstances are dire; they are displaced immigrants fleeing hunger, corruption, gangs, abuse, the crisis, mafias, extortion, or the indifference of their governments. There are many among us who wonder why they did not change countries. The problem is they do not think through the reasons why they are here today and why they did not step forward at the time. The migrants in the camps make do with whatever means they can find to survive. Some bring food to them, and others give them “small jobs” to do, such as paying them 40 pesos to wash a car but charging them 30 pesos to let them take a shower. The migrants help one another and are willing to lend a hand with the limited resources that they have. They look for wood and branches to boil the food they find or to heat water and bathe the children. Approximately 7,000 people live in the two camps, including 500 children and pregnant women. Water and food are the two most essential things that they desperately need.

As they traveled to the border, a number of people were robbed, kidnapped, and beaten. There were also numerous women who were raped. Many lost their lives at the hands of the ‘coyotes’ who unscrupulously killed them when they refused to negotiate or were unable to obtain anything. They seized everything they owned, including their meager savings. Many agents are involved in the extortion of individuals, including the same carriers who transport them in overcrowded trucks when they are kidnapped. As part of their constant search for ransoms, the mafias seek those individuals who have relatives in the United States. As a result, Cubans are the preferred ones, since they believe that they can demand the most from them. To avoid being kidnapped, they typically stay on the bridge itself on the Rio Grande. Captives are frequently imprisoned on farms, commonly referred to as ranches in the country, where they remain until they decide how to deal with them. Families left their countries seeking a dignified life for themselves. Many of them leave their wives, children, or elderly parents behind. One of their main objectives is to progress in order to be able to bring their loved ones with them one day. It is not money or food that they ask for, but rather work and assistance to support their families. In the course of time, they lose their parents, and they are unable to travel to bury their own. People often run into barriers or confusing applications on their phones when trying to request asylum or authorization. They have to upload their personal info and a picture, but no one responds. The future is uncertain for them; they begin each day by trying to warm their children between the stoves, and they dream of being between walls in a house with a bathroom and bed, providing them with comfort and hot food. Those who are frustrated know that tears do not heal wounds. They simply await a kind act of generosity from someone who is willing to open their hearts to them.

As they traveled to the border, a number of people were robbed, kidnapped, and beaten. There were also quite a few women who were raped. Many lost their lives at the hands of the ‘coyotes’ who mercilessly killed them when they refused to negotiate or were unable to obtain anything. Everything the migrants owned was taken, even their meager savings. There are many people involved in extorting immigrants, including the people who transport them in overcrowded trucks when they’re kidnapped. As part of their constant search for ransoms, the mafias seek individuals who have relatives in the United States. As a result, Cubans are the preferred ones, since they believe that they can demand the most from them. To avoid being kidnapped, they typically stay on the bridge itself on the Rio Grande. Captives are frequently imprisoned on farms, commonly referred to as ranches in the country, where they remain until they decide how to deal with them. Families leave their countries seeking a dignified life for themselves. Many of them have to leave their wives, children, or elderly parents behind. They hope to one day be able to bring their loved ones with them as they progress. It is not money or food that they ask for, but rather work and assistance to support their families. In the course of time, they lose their parents, and they are unable to travel to bury their own. People often run into barriers or confusing applications on their phones when trying to request asylum or authorization. They have to upload their personal info and a picture, but no one responds.

The future is uncertain for them; they begin each day by trying to warm their children between the stoves, and they dream of being between walls in a house with a bathroom and bed, providing them with comfort and hot food. Those who are frustrated know that tears do not heal wounds. They simply await a kind act of generosity from someone who is willing to open their hearts to them.