PROVIDENCE — A Rhode Island delegation traveled to Guatemala City last month to offer testimony about Guatemalan and Mexican immigrants living in the United States and the plight of deportees returned to those countries.
The group was led by Juan Garcia, a local community organizer, and Father Ralph Tetrault, pastor of St. Teresa Church.
“The goal of the meeting was to bring together legislators from Guatemala and Mexico so that they will be united in their relationship with the United States regarding immigrants living here from their countries,” Father Tetrault said, adding that the welfare and adjustment of deportees returned to Central America was also addressed.
After listening to the priest, Garcia and several deportees, members of the Guatemalan Congress voted to establish a formal committee to address immigration issues. The new commission will include immigrants now living in the United States and will be charged with making immigrants aware of their responsibilities while living in this country.
The new committee, led by Julio Lopez, a Guatemalan legislator, will also work to promote economic development in Guatemala and Mexico that will create additional employment opportunities so people will not have to leave their homeland to pursue a better life. When villages prosper economically, family units remain solidified, and children grow up with two strong parental role models.
“It is very difficult when they return,” said Garcia, adding that deportees often cannot find jobs when they are returned to their homelands, and many younger people fall into gangs and lead a life of crime.
Father Tetrault added that young deportees often arrive back in their homelands without money or employable skills and become easy prey for gangs that seek new members. He noted that there have been isolated cases in which young men about to be sent home have committed suicide rather than face what they believe will be a hopeless future.
