Tomas, By T. S. Thomas

Most everybody wants a better life for their children than the one they have for themselves. The story of a young man I met and got to know over the years is no different. Tomas was born in a small town near Juarez, Mexico, where the violence and crime were growing every year. Tomas knew he had to get to the United States, where he felt he would find safety and a chance for a better life for his family. I met Tomas at a local Mexican restaurant several years ago in my hometown. My family became regulars at this restaurant and Tomas often waited on our table so over the years, we got to know him pretty well and he shared many of the horrific and heart-breaking stories of his journey to the US. This essay explores the gutsy story of Tomas, a
However, as he grew up, he saw the constant struggles his family faced because of low pay and lack of opportunities. Committed to breaking the cycle of hardship, Tomas made the tough decision to travel north in search of employment and stability. His goal was to make it to the United States despite the stories he had heard of others in similar situations who had experienced horrible things during their travels to the US. Tomas’s journey is very similar to Phoenix Jackson’s in its formidableness. Every day, he worked from sun up to sun down to save up enough money for his journey to the United States. He constantly fought off members of the cartels in the area who tried to recruit him. He survived off the bare minimum of food each day so he could save his money and add it to his stash that was slated for this trip to the US. The first part of Tomas’s journey included traveling through treacherous lands and dodging the authorities. With the help of a guide trained in smuggling migrants across the border, Tomas crossed the barren desert that separated Mexico from the United
After several exhausting days of travel, Tomas finally reached the border town of Nuevo Laredo and was able to enter the US. He was extremely relieved to be in the States, but this relief would soon be overcome by a new set of issues. Without legal documentation, Tomas faced the constant fear of being deported or being taken advantage of by unethical employers. He had learned many skills back home, so he was aware of his worth. Tomas struggled to find consistent work that paid fairly. Many employers knew his status and would cut his pay in exchange for keeping quiet. Living in daily fear of being deported, Tomas did what he had to do to survive and often it came down to stealing in order to feed himself. Similar to Phoenix Jackson, Thomas would justify his actions and believed that God would forgive him. This reminded me of Phoenix’s comment, “God watches me the whole time”. I come to steal. "(Welty 4) Tomas eventually found a temporary home within the Mexican migrant community. He met some new friends and found support among others who had shared similar