The women had been drugged by their rapists, who had done the same to Maria as soon as she walked into the house. They forced her to swallow a red liquid and handed her some chalky, white pills. She drank the liquid and tucked the pills on the side of her mouth, but they were slowly dissolving.
The drugs were beginning to deaden her senses.
Maria had arrived at the modest three-bedroom house in west Phoenix several days earlier in the back of a white van. She was one of about a dozen other immigrants who had hired coyotes to smuggle them into the United States in May. They each paid the human smugglers about $1,800 to guide them safely through the treacherous Arizona desert.
Their guides betrayed them. They delivered them to other coyotes, who were more vicious than their counterparts. The kidnappers demanded another $1,700 apiece for Maria and the 12 others, including two young boys, they were holding.
The armed captors had tried to lock up Maria in the same room with the other women. She was gripped by fear as she watched one of the guards stripping off the women's clothes.
Maria's husband argued with the kidnappers, telling them that she was sick, that he needed to keep an eye on her. Rather than hassle with a couple of the pollos (smugglers' slang for their cargo), the guards allowed them to stay together.
Along with the men, the smugglers stashed her in the master bedroom.
When it was safe, she pulled the pills out of her mouth and gave them to her husband. He slipped them into the pocket of his white-washed jeans.
She looked around the bare bedroom at the men sitting on the floor. They were tired and worn. There was a large piece of plywood nailed over the window; a deadbolt on the door that locked from the outside.
There was no escape.
The pollos had come from poverty-stricken towns in Mexico and Guatemala in search of a better existence. Maria later told New Times that she and her husband had hoped to find work; back home in Mexico, jobs were scarce, and the lucky few who found them earned a meager 100 pesos for a full day's work. Less than $7.80 a day.
The promise of making living wages is what drove Maria and the others to walk through the desert for eight days, crawl through tunnels, and move from camp to camp, car to car, and from one band of coyotes to another within the same smuggling operation. Money was also the motivation behind kidnappers' demands that Maria, her husband, and the other victims come up with large ransoms for their release.
The captives called their families back home, or relatives in Arizona, to plead for money they knew the families probably didn't have. Days went by as Maria's family worked to come up with more cash. The impatient guards threatened to beat their captives and dump their dead bodies in the desert if the money didn't show up.
Terrified and confused, Maria was allowed to leave the room only when it was her turn to help cook for the guards or clean the house. One of the other women told Maria that they had been in the house for more than a month. The women talked quietly while they prepared meals for the hostages — a bean burrito, a few Ramen noodles, or a boiled egg split among four people. The immigrants weren't given anything to drink; they slurped water from a bathroom sink.
Showing 1-25 of 28
Not to worry. Kris Kobach will save us all. He'll keep those illegals from voting using the identities of dead people and creating false papers so good they'll fool county registrars of voters without possibly attracting any attention to themselves. And then they'll elect Tom Holland governor and stop Christians from holding services and rape our daughters and they'll reverse the Louisiana purchase and the Mexicans will sell the Midwest back to the French.
And we all know about the French!!!
Not to worry. Kris Kobach will save us all. He'll keep those illegals from voting using the identities of dead people and creating false papers so good they'll fool county registrars of voters without possibly attracting any attention to themselves. And then they'll elect Tom Holland governor and stop Christians from holding services and rape our daughters and they'll reverse the Louisiana purchase and the Mexicans will sell the Midwest back to the French. And we all know about the French!!!
Hey "Bob", you talk much of "fucknuts" and penises, so I judge you to be an expert on holding your own and maybe your boyfriends. In case you missed it, and you obviously did, i stated that the US was imperfect. How many countries have you lived in? I count three for myself, including a stay in Mexico! Maybe the Us isn't your type of country. If you live here, then feel free to move to another!Fucktard? Maybe your mom, but enough about that. You opened your mouth and were found a fool. "Nuff said!
Hey "Bob", you talk much of "fucknuts" and penises, so I judge you to be an expert on holding your own and maybe your boyfriends. In case you missed it, and you obviously did, i stated that the US was imperfect. How many countries have you lived in? I count three for myself, including a stay in Mexico! Maybe the Us isn't your type of country. If you live here, then feel free to move to another!Fucktard? Maybe your mom, but enough about that. You opened your mouth and were found a fool. "Nuff said!
hey Longhunter...how many other countries have you lived in dumb fuck?
the US is FAR from the greatest country on earth with freedoms.
the US is becoming the most watched with surveillance.
we have a tremendous poverty rate.
horrendous medically uninsured rate.
outrageous violent crime rate.
overwhelming corruption and fraud rate among big business.
so what the fuck are you babbling about?
the framers of the Constitution would be rolling over and puking in their graves if they had any idea that the morals and fundamentals that they strived so hard to build this country upon were completely demolished.
you sir,,,are a fuck nut. you need to get your hand off of your penis and wake up to the real world.
here's the deal:
it's not the fucking United States fault that Mexico can't clean up it's own country and create jobs, suitable housing, food programs, etc. for the needy.
these fucking mexicans are programmed from birth that if they want a good life than they have to come here.
they don't even fucking try to make a difference in their own country.
how much worse is going to get here before ALL of our lower paying jobs are taken by these vermin and over half of our country speaks spanish?
at what point does this end?
first we get rid of this stupid nigger that doesn't know the first thing about running a country and restore some dignity in the White House.
hey Longhunter...how many other countries have you lived in dumb fuck? the US is FAR from the greatest country on earth with freedoms. the US is becoming the most watched with surveillance. we have a tremendous poverty rate. horrendous medically uninsured rate. outrageous violent crime rate. overwhelming corruption and fraud rate among big business. so what the fuck are you babbling about? the framers of the Constitution would be rolling over and puking in their graves if they had any idea that the morals and fundamentals that they strived so hard to build this country upon were completely demolished. you sir,,,are a fuck nut. you need to get your hand off of your penis and wake up to the real world.
here's the deal: it's not the fucking United States fault that Mexico can't clean up it's own country and create jobs, suitable housing, food programs, etc. for the needy. these fucking mexicans are programmed from birth that if they want a good life than they have to come here. they don't even fucking try to make a difference in their own country. how much worse is going to get here before ALL of our lower paying jobs are taken by these vermin and over half of our country speaks spanish? at what point does this end? first we get rid of this stupid nigger that doesn't know the first thing about running a country and restore some dignity in the White House.
This story is horrifying. Regardless of who the victims are, it should turn the stomach of every American to know that such outrageous crimes are routinely happening within our borders. It is clear that if we secured our border, the circumstances that foster these crimes would cease to exist. The right needs more compassion for the victimization of these desperate people, but the left needs to face the reality that we have allowed them to be victimized by failing to combat human trafficking through increased border security.
This story is horrifying. Regardless of who the victims are, it should turn the stomach of every American to know that such outrageous crimes are routinely happening within our borders. It is clear that if we secured our border, the circumstances that foster these crimes would cease to exist. The right needs more compassion for the victimization of these desperate people, but the left needs to face the reality that we have allowed them to be victimized by failing to combat human trafficking through increased border security.
This to "John",You sound as if you are dissatisfied with the USA. Well, there are two options available to you.....Work to change it using our "corrupt" system, or get the hell out! In case you didn't notice while spewing out your childish tirade, Americans have more benefits and enjoy a better lifestyle than most other countries. Your jaundiced view of our history is, at best, less than accurate, while your infantile whining about "douchebags" and "racists" only serves to magnify your idiocy.
America is not perfect, but she stands in a much better light than quite a few other countries. If anything, we are guilty of too much "political correctness", and need to toughen up. Our borders are no longer safe, and if it takes closing them and deporting every illegal in the US, then I'm fine with that. Illegal means just that!
And before anyone starts whining about the unfairness of stricter measures, I will mention that I am very familiar with illegals from Mexico. I have seen them destroying houses and neighborhoods, operating motor vehicles without license or insurance and leaving the country after horrendous accidents. They urinate publicly in our streets, all the while waving their genitals at young girls....I have a list that goes on and on, but I don't feel the need to elaborate further. I have witnessed all of this and more...So have my neighbors. The latest crimes committed by illegals who then return safely to Mexico are sickening! Why should America have to suffer these injustices? Sorry bud, but you made you statement while lacking in both facts and reason.
One more thing....I personally know good folk from Mexico, Russia, Nepal, Kenya,Nigeria, and India who all came here LEGALLY. They didn't describe the process as too hard or long, but they do have the same strict views on illegals. Check out the laws from other nations, including Mexico on illegal aliens. Deporting them is a kindness compared to some of the draconian measures around the world. Thus endeth the lesson!
What a bunch of hypocrites.
"Go back to your country and change the government" you post to people coming across the border for a better life. How long has the Government in the US been corrupt? and how many times have you overrun the capitol to change it? Most of the third world governments have large military forces, who will not even flinch to kill anyone attempting to overthrow the corrupt government. So, how corrupt does the American government have to be, before you spoon-fed douche bags charge the guns in Washington?
But, I guess this kind of racist holier than thou BS is to be expected from people in the US... a quick look at US history, nothing but rape, torture, murder, stealing for hundreds of years. Hell it was only 50 or 60 years ago that black people couldn't use the same rest-room or ride the same bus or eat at the same restaurants as white people and now that Blacks have been largely accepted.. it's the dangerous brown people who mow your lawns and watch your children and prepare your meat that are the problem.
If the immigration system worked. Most of the people crossing would be happy to pay and apply for a visa/citizenship/work permits... but as it stands, it can take 2-20 years to get that status granted. I know.. 20 years... just a number to you all driving your SUV's and Pickup trucks down Wal-mart to pick up the latest DVD.... but those numbers represent years of someone's lives, wasted years of waiting for nothing more than a piece of paper that amounts to a hall pass.
Americans break laws every day in every way that they think they can get away with. But, to people coming to the country... its respect our laws or go home... hypocrites.
Here it is 2010 in the United States of America.. 234 years later.. and nothing much has changed, we drive bigger cars, we own bigger houses.. but the mind sets of some people... it might as well be the stone age.
Why did Americans.. come to America anyway? ... oh that's right... to get away from the oppressive English rule and to have a better life.... Funny... I think that's why most of the "illegal" immigrants also come here.
Well this article certainly debunks the lies that the democrats have been telling Americans about the Airzona crime rate being lower than represented by that state. Phoenix, Az is the 4th highest per capita violent crime city in America.
This to "John",You sound as if you are dissatisfied with the USA. Well, there are two options available to you.....Work to change it using our "corrupt" system, or get the hell out! In case you didn't notice while spewing out your childish tirade, Americans have more benefits and enjoy a better lifestyle than most other countries. Your jaundiced view of our history is, at best, less than accurate, while your infantile whining about "douchebags" and "racists" only serves to magnify your idiocy. America is not perfect, but she stands in a much better light than quite a few other countries. If anything, we are guilty of too much "political correctness", and need to toughen up. Our borders are no longer safe, and if it takes closing them and deporting every illegal in the US, then I'm fine with that. Illegal means just that! And before anyone starts whining about the unfairness of stricter measures, I will mention that I am very familiar with illegals from Mexico. I have seen them destroying houses and neighborhoods, operating motor vehicles without license or insurance and leaving the country after horrendous accidents. They urinate publicly in our streets, all the while waving their genitals at young girls....I have a list that goes on and on, but I don't feel the need to elaborate further. I have witnessed all of this and more...So have my neighbors. The latest crimes committed by illegals who then return safely to Mexico are sickening! Why should America have to suffer these injustices? Sorry bud, but you made you statement while lacking in both facts and reason. One more thing....I personally know good folk from Mexico, Russia, Nepal, Kenya,Nigeria, and India who all came here LEGALLY. They didn't describe the process as too hard or long, but they do have the same strict views on illegals. Check out the laws from other nations, including Mexico on illegal aliens. Deporting them is a kindness compared to some of the draconian measures around the world. Thus endeth the lesson!
What a bunch of hypocrites. "Go back to your country and change the government" you post to people coming across the border for a better life. How long has the Government in the US been corrupt? and how many times have you overrun the capitol to change it? Most of the third world governments have large military forces, who will not even flinch to kill anyone attempting to overthrow the corrupt government. So, how corrupt does the American government have to be, before you spoon-fed douche bags charge the guns in Washington? But, I guess this kind of racist holier than thou BS is to be expected from people in the US... a quick look at US history, nothing but rape, torture, murder, stealing for hundreds of years. Hell it was only 50 or 60 years ago that black people couldn't use the same rest-room or ride the same bus or eat at the same restaurants as white people and now that Blacks have been largely accepted.. it's the dangerous brown people who mow your lawns and watch your children and prepare your meat that are the problem. If the immigration system worked. Most of the people crossing would be happy to pay and apply for a visa/citizenship/work permits... but as it stands, it can take 2-20 years to get that status granted. I know.. 20 years... just a number to you all driving your SUV's and Pickup trucks down Wal-mart to pick up the latest DVD.... but those numbers represent years of someone's lives, wasted years of waiting for nothing more than a piece of paper that amounts to a hall pass. Americans break laws every day in every way that they think they can get away with. But, to people coming to the country... its respect our laws or go home... hypocrites. Here it is 2010 in the United States of America.. 234 years later.. and nothing much has changed, we drive bigger cars, we own bigger houses.. but the mind sets of some people... it might as well be the stone age. Why did Americans.. come to America anyway? ... oh that's right... to get away from the oppressive English rule and to have a better life.... Funny... I think that's why most of the "illegal" immigrants also come here.
Well this article certainly debunks the lies that the democrats have been telling Americans about the Airzona crime rate being lower than represented by that state. Phoenix, Az is the 4th highest per capita violent crime city in America.
I just can't stand this!! We have to secure the borders of this country. There should be no amnesty for the illegals or anyone who helps them. And I truly am sorry that more people want to leave Mexico and immigrate to America than we want to take, but we don't need to take any more than we do now. I'm just sick over the violence of human trafficking. I had a drop house in my neighborhood. People please!!!! Stop coming here. Do you get it???It is ILLEGAL. You have to FOLLOW THE RULES. The rest of us legal citizens HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES. Why do we want people coming here that think they don't have to follow the rules? And that is what it is. I have known illegals who just really think since they are already illegal that the laws just don't really applly to them. I am truly very sorry that Mexico is difficult and violent, but we would like you to kindly take your difficulty and violence back where you belong. I agree. Be as inhospitable to illegals as possible and it will stem the tide. If people know they can't do it, or that they won't be able to find work,etc. They will stop coming. I will pray for Mexico and other countries like it, but it is not my country's job to take another country's citizens because they don't like where they live. What's next? Does Mexican government plead for our help for enforcement and curtailment of the violence? Does Mexico hope to be added to the list of United States? I'm done. Go home! You pose a threat to my country.
It's difficult for the police and other authorities to try and protect the citizens of the US, but when it becomes necessary to protect those that hired someone to escort them into this country illegally.....Also, the writer of the article does not go on to mention if the smugglers and traffickers were legal or illegal.
We need the borders protected! How about writing articles about illegals in this country murdering, kidnapping and committing other foul crimes to its' citizens!?! Again, the people of Mexico should begin to stand up against the Mexican Govt, no matter how corrupt it is. Yes, it is easy to say and difficult to do, but other countries have had to commit to civil uprisings in their past, and I believe that every country on earth at one time or another will have to commit to protest against their Govt. And yes, the US Gov't is not immune to that....
I just can't stand this!! We have to secure the borders of this country. There should be no amnesty for the illegals or anyone who helps them. And I truly am sorry that more people want to leave Mexico and immigrate to America than we want to take, but we don't need to take any more than we do now. I'm just sick over the violence of human trafficking. I had a drop house in my neighborhood. People please!!!! Stop coming here. Do you get it???It is ILLEGAL. You have to FOLLOW THE RULES. The rest of us legal citizens HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES. Why do we want people coming here that think they don't have to follow the rules? And that is what it is. I have known illegals who just really think since they are already illegal that the laws just don't really applly to them. I am truly very sorry that Mexico is difficult and violent, but we would like you to kindly take your difficulty and violence back where you belong. I agree. Be as inhospitable to illegals as possible and it will stem the tide. If people know they can't do it, or that they won't be able to find work,etc. They will stop coming. I will pray for Mexico and other countries like it, but it is not my country's job to take another country's citizens because they don't like where they live. What's next? Does Mexican government plead for our help for enforcement and curtailment of the violence? Does Mexico hope to be added to the list of United States? I'm done. Go home! You pose a threat to my country.
It's difficult for the police and other authorities to try and protect the citizens of the US, but when it becomes necessary to protect those that hired someone to escort them into this country illegally.....Also, the writer of the article does not go on to mention if the smugglers and traffickers were legal or illegal. We need the borders protected! How about writing articles about illegals in this country murdering, kidnapping and committing other foul crimes to its' citizens!?! Again, the people of Mexico should begin to stand up against the Mexican Govt, no matter how corrupt it is. Yes, it is easy to say and difficult to do, but other countries have had to commit to civil uprisings in their past, and I believe that every country on earth at one time or another will have to commit to protest against their Govt. And yes, the US Gov't is not immune to that....
I'm sorry the governments of Mexico and Central America are so broken and corrupt that their people see the need to bring that corruption here. I'm sorry none wish to stand against the institutions that have brought them to such a sorry state. They've sh!t where they eat and rather than clean it up, they come here and many repeat the process.
The real cause of the imigration problem is Mexico and a few select other latin american nations. Mostly Mexico though. The country has vast human resources and natural resources, but the place has squandered most of it with massive amounts of corruption. Some education, political reform, and good family planning would help mexico become a place that mexicans want to stay in.
I honestly feel for the victims depicted in this article but it doesn't negate the fact that they wouldn't be victims if they had not attempted to enter this country illegally.
The article needs to run in Mexico. Maybe the depiction of these horrendous experiences of people trying to enter the country illegally will discourage others from taking the same road.
I'm sorry the governments of Mexico and Central America are so broken and corrupt that their people see the need to bring that corruption here. I'm sorry none wish to stand against the institutions that have brought them to such a sorry state. They've sh!t where they eat and rather than clean it up, they come here and many repeat the process.
The real cause of the imigration problem is Mexico and a few select other latin american nations. Mostly Mexico though. The country has vast human resources and natural resources, but the place has squandered most of it with massive amounts of corruption. Some education, political reform, and good family planning would help mexico become a place that mexicans want to stay in.
like
dislike
