Long lines are now common at the US-Mexico border where immigrants queue up at official border posts to enter the US legally, and usually claim asylum. If they do it legally, they have a much better chance of being granted asylum.
在美国和墨西哥的边境处，长长的队伍随处可见。那里的移民在官方边界排队以合法进入美国，他们往往寻求政治避难。如果他们依法行事，也许他们能有更好的机会获得收容。
Those who cross illegally and request asylum are less than half as likely to get it, according to 2016 government statistics. Sergio who came illegally from Mexico is one of the lucky ones. I came to the United States in 1992, because there was not a lot of work down there. Under the Trump administration’s strict enforcement procedures, he was targeted for deportation after being arrested for drunkenness in May of last year. Jailed near Los Angeles, he says a guard insulted him early in his nine months in detention. He said, “you’re a prisoner.” I said, “no, I’m not a prisoner. I’m in detention for immigration. I haven’t committed any crimes.”
根据2016年政府统计的数据，非法穿越边境并且要求收容的人往往只有不到一半的人能够如愿以偿。非法从墨西哥前来的Sergio是一个幸运儿。我1992年来到美国，因为墨西哥工作机会不多。在特朗普政府严格的执法程序下，Sergio因去年五月酗酒遭逮捕而被看作驱逐出境的目标。他被关押在洛杉矶附近的监狱，他说，一名警卫在他九个月拘留期之初时侮辱了他。他说，“你是一个囚犯。”我说，“不，我不是囚犯。我是因为移民被拘留的。我没犯过任何罪。”
Sergio says his relationship with the guards deteriorated from there. His lawyer who works for Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities, applied for asylum for his client who suffered from mental illness. He did have some medical treatment in in detention, but it was it was clearly very inadequate. You know, he ended up attempting suicide a month before he was released. So, I think that’s you know a sign that his medication wasn’t right. He wasn’t getting, he wasn’t getting out of quick care while he was detained.
Sergio表示，自此他和警卫的关系就恶化了。他的律师为埃斯佩兰萨的移民权利项目工作，这是天主教慈善会的一个项目，旨在为患有精神疾病的移民申请政治避难。他在拘留期间接受过一些治疗，但是很显然这些治疗是不够的。你知道，他在被释放前一个月试图自杀。所以，我认为这表明他的药物治疗还不够。他在被拘留期间没有得到快速护理。
A judge agreed that Sergio would not get adequate care if he returned to Mexico。He was granted asylum in February. Sergio was granted asylum relatively quickly, but US officials say the system is being slowed by a growing number of claims. Sergio feels relieved that his case is resolved, but is still waiting for a visa. Frustrated, I’m frustrated because I’m staying at a shelter. Free but in temporary housing, he is ready for a new chapter to begin.
法官也认为如果Sergio回到墨西哥，他不能达到足够的照料。他在二月份成功得到了收容。Sergio获得庇护的时间相对而言较快，但是美国官方认为由于越来越多人请求避难，这个体系速度正在减缓。案子解决了，Sergio感到轻松许多，但是他还在等签证。沮丧，我感觉沮丧，因为我住在避难所。虽然住房免费，但是是临时住房，他已经准备好开始生活的新篇章。