Grupo Beta

The most memorable part of our field-trip was our visit to Grupo Beta.  Here, too, I was initially confused by our visit to them.  In Davidson’s book they were a gun-wielding and corrupt task force that patrolled the Mexican side of the border and exploited migrants.  Davidson uses them as an example; they are representative of a government backed force that was heavily corrupted and not accountable for their actions.  The border is infamous for being a place where there is a clash of powers among nations, and local governments, and gangsters.  Thus there are people that fall through the cracks, and those that commit atrocities against humanity are not easily held accountable.  

However, I was pleased to find out that the Mexican government had completely turned things around and Grupo Beta were now renown for being a group dedicated to providing aid and resources to migrants.  It turns out everyone from the corrupt force was fired and in their place social workers, attorneys, and teachers were hired.  Visiting this organization was bittersweet.  Sweet, because it is oh so refreshing to know that corruption meshed out and that in its place a group like Los Betas of today can take its place.  The trip was bitter, because even though I was able to interact with these migrants and their stories were powerful they were also sorrowful and heartbreaking.

For example, I learned Nacerino’s story.  He was awaiting services at Grupo Beta when he told me the story of his journey.  Nacerino informed us that in a week it will have been two months that he started his journey. He said he made his way from Honduras to Guatemala, and that in Guatemala is where he boarded “La Bestia”, the train that make its way from Central America to Mexico.  He left because he was unable to find work.  Initially, he had four companions.  Now, he is the only one left.  He leaves behind six children and his wife.