This article chronicles the harrowing journey of a Salvadoran family, led by Araceli, who endeavored to escape U.S. deportation policies and ultimately succeeded in three attempts to claim asylum in Canada. Their struggles are emblematic of the rising number of migrants seeking refuge amid tightening immigration controls across North America.
Salvadoran Family Navigates Three Failed Attempts Before Finally Reaching Canada
Salvadoran Family Navigates Three Failed Attempts Before Finally Reaching Canada
Araceli and her daughters faced immense challenges fleeing U.S. deportations before achieving asylum in Canada after multiple attempts.
Araceli and her two daughters waited anxiously in a migrant shelter in Buffalo, New York, as their case awaited a decision from a Canadian court. The Rainbow Bridge, which spans the Niagara River and connects the U.S. to Canada, historically epitomizes peace but became a formidable obstacle for Araceli’s family.
On March 17, Araceli, her partner, and their daughters, ages four and fourteen, made their first attempt to cross the bridge, believing that their documented ties to Araceli’s siblings in Canada would secure their entry. They sought refuge from U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump, yet their initial attempt faltered, as did a second one. However, a third effort would eventually change their fate.
Having lived undocumented in the U.S. for over a decade, with only her youngest, born in New Jersey, holding American citizenship, Araceli had long built a life there. Despite her attempts to file for asylum—complicated by legal hurdles and financial frustrations—her fears intensified after reports of mass deportations under the Trump administration. The U.S. and Canada’s “safe third country agreement” posed further challenges, stipulating that refugees must apply in the first safe country they reach.
Determined to reunite with her brothers in Canada, Araceli and her family braved the Rainbow Bridge once more. Presenting documentation to the border agents only led to heartbreak; a minor error on her birth certificate resulted in their application being denied, returning them to the U.S. where they endured 14 grueling days in detention.
Assisted by a pro-migrant organization, the family faced another chance when agents unexpectedly announced they would be sent to Canada again. However, that opportunity rapidly dissolved when the Canadian authorities declared the second attempt a misconduct under immigration policies.
Upon being sent back to the U.S., Araceli's partner was transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, while she and her daughters were placed under monitoring. With their situation dire, a Canadian federal court finally intervened, allowing them another attempt to seek asylum.
On May 5, after weeks of tension and uncertainty, Araceli crossed the bridge yet again, this time with legal assistance. After a lengthy wait, the joyful announcement from a border agent signified a new beginning: “Welcome to Canada and good luck with your new life.” Filled with mixed emotions, Araceli embraced her daughters, but the celebration was bittersweet; her partner remained detained for an additional two weeks. They eventually secured his release, but the family's plight reflects the challenges countless migrants face today, echoing a profound need for broader support amid tightening immigration laws in North America.
