A terrible journey - 29th September 2021

These people are from Haiti. They want to go to the USA. But, they are in Tapachula in Mexico. They are waiting for documents. Then, they can start a new life in the USA.

In 2010, there was a terrible earthquake in Haiti. 200,000 people died. Chile's president invited Haitians to live there. Murat Tilus tells us more.

Murat Tilus: "After the 2010 earthquake my house fell, my family died, there was nothing. Then I took the initiative with my wife to go to another country. The president of Chile opened the door for everyone to come to Chile, then I went to Chile to do something new."

In 2018 the Chilean government changed the rules. Immigrants' lives became more difficult. Many Haitians decided to go to the USA. They have family who live there.

They travelled for many weeks. They walked through jungles and over mountains. They travelled through 10 different countries. Their journey was very dangerous. Many died on the way.

Samuel is 11. Men killed one of his brothers. So he left Haiti with his mother and sister.

Samuel Camille: "When we passed through the jungle and we arrived in Panama, not in the city but where the mountain of Panama was, there we crossed the river and people died there. The river was very strong."

This year, more than 77,000 people could enter the USA. But, more people are waiting. It takes time to get the right documents.

Samuel wanted to stay in Chile. He didn't want to travel. But now he must wait.