A Venezuelan woman recounts her heartbreaking journey to the U.S. in search of hope and peace.

The testimony of a Venezuelan woman who has undertaken a difficult journey to the United States reveals the harsh realities of the exodus facing her country. Figueredo, who arrived in the U.S. on July 4, is part of a group of more than 7 million Venezuelans who have left their homes since 2015 due to the economic and political crisis plaguing the nation, according to information provided by the United Nations. Her account is not only a reflection of her bravery but also of the desperation that drives many to seek a better life abroad. Figueredo's journey was particularly harrowing. Along with her family, which includes her son, daughter-in-law, and three young grandchildren, she joined a caravan of approximately 200 people that crossed the dangerous Darién jungle, a route that has gained notoriety for its extreme risks. In her moving account, Figueredo recalls how the raft they were traveling in capsized, a moment that almost cost her baby’s life. "I had to almost throw the baby so that those on land could save her," she recounts through tears, remembering the terror of that instant. The economic situation in Venezuela, which has only marginally improved since the pandemic, was the determining factor that led Figueredo to make the difficult decision to emigrate. Before her departure, she worked for 22 years in the transportation sector in Caracas, where her monthly income barely allowed her to buy the essentials. "I earned between $30 and $40 a month, which was just enough to buy two bags of PAN flour, butter, and one cheese," she explains, a description that illustrates the harsh reality many Venezuelans endure. Once in the U.S., Figueredo's journey does not stop. She now faces the challenge of obtaining a work permit, and her next destination is Denver, Colorado, where a family friend has offered to host them for a month. Her hope is to build a new life, find a home, food, and, especially, peace. However, while her future is being defined, her family is temporarily residing in a basketball court that has been converted into a shelter, sharing the space with other migrants from different nationalities. The shelter they are in provides momentary relief but also reflects the growing migration crisis at the U.S. southern border. Cuban priest Rafael García, who runs the Sacred Heart shelter in El Paso, has seen a significant increase in the arrival of migrants, most of them Venezuelans. "We had to organize and accommodate more than a hundred people," he explains, emphasizing the importance of community support and resource mobilization to assist those in need. Figueredo and her family’s story is just one of many that reflect the struggle for survival faced by migrants. The crisis at the border has made seeking asylum a monumental challenge. Bureaucracy and limitations imposed by the U.S. government have created a situation where many, despite having left everything behind, face new obstacles that hinder their search for a better future. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has acknowledged that the government has a "limited capacity" to process migrant cases. With only 1,450 daily appointments available through the CBP One app for the entire southern border, the situation becomes unsustainable for those who have already endured so much on their journey. This tool, which has been established as the only means to apply for asylum following imposed restrictions, presents its own set of challenges that add more pressure to families in transit. Figueredo's story is one among millions. Her testimony resonates as a call for empathy and understanding amid a humanitarian crisis that shows no signs of slowing down. Every day, thousands of people are forced to leave their lives behind and face the unknown in search of opportunities and dignity. The community and organizations providing support along the way play a crucial role, but it is essential that resources are also expanded and policy changes are made to address the roots of this migration crisis. As Figueredo and her family await their appointment for protection and asylum, their story reminds us of the importance of solidarity and the need for more humane policies that recognize the dignity of every migrant. The fight for a better future continues, and with each shared story, a voice rises that cries out for justice and opportunities in a world where human mobility has become a hotly debated and often controversial topic.