CNN —
Fleeing what she called the “dire condition” of life in Haiti, Dieuvena came to the US, hoping “she can at least get on her feet, find a job, and take care of her family.”
For Dieuvena, 28, that family includes her husband Banel, 28, and their son Mateo Sebastien, 4. She also has a 10-year-old daughter who lives in the Dominican Republic with the child’s father.
As she only speaks Haitian Creole, Dieuvena spoke with CNN through Dr. Geralde Gabeau, the executive director for the Immigrant Family Services Institute. She asked to be referred to only by her first name, fearing she might be penalized by the US immigration system.
Passing from Haiti through Central America, the family arrived at the US-Mexico border where they attended a CBP One appointment, the process through which US Customs and Border Protection grants humanitarian parole. The family of three attended the appointment as a group with five other Haitian asylum-seekers. One of the other asylum-seekers suggested they go to Florida – but they quickly realized no one knew anyone there. Fortunately, one of the other five knew someone in Boston.
After a quick call confirming the connection, the CBP One parole officer marked all eight asylum-seekers as bound for Boston, they said.
The family crossed the border and headed to San Antonio on April 24.
One family among thousands
Dieuvena’s family is among thousands entering the US, as the government tries to process an increasing number of migrants.