Undocumented migrants become targets for exploitation and violence

Insight

Undocumented migrants become targets for exploitation and violence

Many undocumented migrants make a terrifying trek to the U.S. every day. Studies show they are targets for exploitation and violence by organized crime, gangs, and even corrupt police officials. CCTV’s Franc Contreras reports from southern Mexico.

Undocumented migrants become targets for exploitation and violence

Many undocumented migrants make a terrifying trek to the U.S. every day. Studies show they are targets for exploitation and violence by organized crime, gangs, and even corrupt police officials. CCTV's Franc Contreras reports from southern Mexico.

A shelter in the Mexican state of Tabasco receives hundreds of Central American migrants each month. Most say violence and poverty prompted their exodus.

The shelter’s founder says the threats came after workers accused Mexican officials of corruption. El Salvador’s consular officer in Tenosique is working to document such cases. Federal police deny accusations and point to criminal organizations as the biggest threat to migrants.

Each part of the journey brings new dangers. Among the most vulnerable are the steadily increasing numbers of unaccompanied minors and migrant women.

Follow Franc Contreras on Twitter @FrancMex

For more on the dangers that undocumented migrants face, CCTV spoke with Jimmy Hernandez. He’s the communications director at Voto Latino, a non-partisan organization whose mission is to bring new and diverse voices into the political process in the U.S. to promote positive change.

Jimmy Hernandez talks dangers of unaccompanied minors journeying North

For more on the dangers that undocumented migrants face, CCTV spoke with Jimmy Hernandez. He's the communications director at Voto Latino, a non-partisan organization whose mission is to bring new and diverse voices into the political process in the U.S. to promote positive change.