For over seven years, Enrique has been on a mission to find his mother. Throughout his journey, he faces numerous obstacles – from authorities seizing his possessions and money to thieves preying on migrants. These incidents make Enrique wary of trusting anyone, even the very authorities who partake in these deceitful actions. The lack of concern displayed by the government towards the plight of migrants leaves their predicament extremely uncertain.
When Enrique is 5 years old, his mother Lourdes immigrates to America in search of employment opportunities that will enable her to support her hometown in Mexico and provide a better education and nourishment for Enrique. As he grows older, he becomes increasingly desperate for his mother’s return and experiences deep loneliness in her absence. Determined to reunite with her, he embarks on a challenging journey towards America, encountering obstacles involving both authorities and muggers who exploit migrants for their belongings. This quest to find his mother tests his resolve, faith, luck, and unwavering determination to pursue his ultimate goal.
Sonia Nazario’s Enrique’s Journey recounts the tale of a tenacious young boy named Enrique who relentlessly attempts to cross the border in search of his mother. Despite encountering numerous setbacks, he remains unwavering in his pursuit. The book also exposes the harsh realities of government regulation on migrants and offers concrete instances that help readers grasp the challenges confronted by individuals seeking a fresh start in the United States from Mexico.
Enrique’s journey follows the narrative of a teenage boy who migrates in order to be reunited with his mother in the United States. Despite successfully reaching his mother, he carries the enduring scars of his arduous travels: visible evidence of beatings through bruises, a malnourished body due to near starvation, and the emotional trauma stemming from feeling abandoned by his mother. Surprisingly, rather than deterring him, Enrique’s awareness of the dangers of migration only strengthens his determination to reach his mother expeditiously. Along the way, he encounters individuals who have suffered various injuries or even lost their lives during their journey – people with whom he had shared nourishment and conversations. Nevertheless, assisting them would not aid him in achieving his objective.
He encountered others who took care of him, and he reciprocated by looking out for them. On the whole, migration has positive impacts on the entire culture, including cheap labor and racial diversity. In terms of individuals like Enrique, it brings improved healthcare, education, quicker financial progress, and an overall better life. As for the mothers, upon reuniting with their children, they find them resentful and prone to blaming. They question whether migrating was the right choice or if, as Belky asserts, “The love of a mother is irreplaceable, even with money for food, toys, or clothes.”
