Enrique's Journey

Chapter 3 describes Enrique’s eighth attempt to reach the United States. His journey begins in Chiapas, a Mexican state also known as “the beast” because it is a particularly dangerous leg of the journey. Enrique’s previous experiences in Chiapas taught him to avoid buses, to always ride freight trains with others, and to distrust the authorities. He spends his first night in a cemetery next to Big Daddy, a Mara Salvatrucha gang member. They are caught by police and taken to jail. Enrique escapes and returns to the cemetery. The next morning, aided by fellow migrants, he boards a moving train. He steadies himself on a hopper car as the train lurches and rounds bends. The migrants get nervous as the train nears La Arrocera, a strict immigration checkpoint. They jump between cars to avoid detection. An official notices Enrique, prompting him to jump off the train and hide in the brush.

Traveling on foot is as perilous as riding the trains. Enrique worries about madrinas, armed civilians who help immigration authorities and commit crimes against migrants. He is also concerned about bandits. He manages to evade detection as he crosses the Cuil bridge, a notorious gathering place for bandits.