Katie Jeffers

Enrique’s Journey is a young Honduran boy, whose mother has left him to go find work in the United

States.Enrique sets off on the most dangerous journey to

find his mother in the United States, and will risk his life until he is bound for dead.

After years, Enrique still feels resentment towards his mother, but will always love her.

Overcoming freight trains, drugs, beatings, and getting caught from Boarder Patrol time after time,

Enrique will finally find his mother, Lourdes.

INTRODUCTION

Issue: Should the mothers in Mexico leave their families to go to the United States?

Conclusion: No, they should not leave their families. Reasons:

1. The children feel their mothers’ have chose to abandon them forever.

2. The mothers’ are putting their child's life at risk when the child goes to look for them.

3. The likelihood of reuniting the children with their mothers’ is almost 0.

ISSUE #1

Issue: Should Enrique leave to track down his mother, Lourdes?

Conclusion: No, Enrique should not leave to try to find his mother.Reasons:

1. The travel to the United States is very dangerous.

2. Children die on freight trains every day.

3. He could starve, be thrown off a train, or killed by other’s that live atop the trains, or those who are also on the way to track down their mother’s.

ISSUE #2

Issue: Should Maria Isabel and her friend set off to find Enrique?

Conclusion: No, they should not go to find Enrique.Reasons:

1. Girls have it more dangerous then the boys.

2. She could get killed in the same ways as Enrique can, only rape could also be an issue.

3. She should not leave her daughter behind.

4. Maria does not have the money for a smuggler.

ISSUE #3

Issue: Should Enrique still feel resentment towards his mother?

Conclusion: Yes, Enrique should still feel resentment towards his mother.

Reasons:

1. He had risked his life many times trying to find her.

2. She had left him at such a young age which also influenced his behavior in doing drugs, stealing,

etc.

3. Enrique feels he is unloved and will never be loved.

ISSUE #4

Issue: Even though Enrique feels resentment after finding his mother, should he continue the use of drugs

and alcohol?Conclusion: No, Enrique should not still be using

substances, and should get help.Reasons:

1. He is doing this out of anger towards his mother not being there for him.

2. Enrique worries his mother.

3. He is spending money he cannot afford to spend on; strip clubs, drugs and alcohol.

ISSUE #5

Issue: If I was in Enrique’s position, would I set off to find my mother, even if it means

risking my life?Conclusion: Yes, I would take the actions

to try to find my mother.

ISSUE #6

From my point of view, I could not imagine losing my mother like Enrique did. However, I would be more understanding for why she would do such a thing. She is not doing it to better herself, she is leaving to better me and my situation. I would

miss her dearly, and try many times until I could find her again. This is why I understand Enrique’s journey to find his mother; the love is too strong to

risk the chances of never seeing her again.

REASON ISSUE #6

The topics of immigration, struggles, love for family, and rejection really impacted me. Immigration is much talked about in Arizona, which is something that is very prejudice

and discriminating. It is great to see the opposing viewpoint from this story, that they are people too just wanting to

make a living like the rest of us. We are very fortunate, and that is something to be cherished and appreciated.

Enrique’s Journey is a must read. I had put myself in Enrique’s shoes in many situations, and Lourdes’ shoes as well. I understand and see the resentment Enrique would

feel again his mother, but Lourdes also knew she would not be able to support him if she were to stay in Mexico. She left to take care of him, until she saved up enough to come

back home.

THOUGHTS

I think what gets me about this story, is how dangerous the journey truly is and for everyone that does this

journey, not just Enrique. The fact that this is a true story just makes me want to help, or be like those folks

who would wait at the train to throw food up to the immigrants and Enrique that sat up there starving. It amazes me how many die for the dream of wanting to

find a mother, make money to live and survive, yet they die trying to live.

This story will stay with me, and give me perspective when it comes to the things I want, or take for granted.

Enrique’s Journey.

THOUGHTS CONTINUED