One Cuban Family's Long And Risky Journey To A New Life In The U.S.
Yoandra, her brother and son traversed 3,000 miles, crossed multiple borders and endured a harrowing seven-day walk through the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama before reaching El Paso, Texas.
In January 2016, Yoandra, a 37-year-old single mother taking care of her four-year-old son, faced a stark choice.
Along with her son and older brother, Yoandra had left home in Cuba the year before, seeking a better life. For nearly a year, she'd been living in Ecuador as an undocumented immigrant, without a job or prospects.
She could stay put and hope for the best. Or she could take her chances and leave.
Yoandra, who wishes to be identified only by her first name because she fears reprisals against her family in Cuba, decided it was time to go. Ecuador had just tightened its borders and was beginning to crack
