“Imagine, all of this was strong, strong, strong,” said Jorge Ojeda.
On a rainy morning, Ojeda and Jeczebel López left the hotel where they’ve been staying in Long Island City for just over a week to look for work, food and an identity card. But all of this wasn’t easy, just like his journey to get here.
“You have to have strength, courage, many things to move forward and take this big step that we are taking,” said Ojeda.
The 34- and 28-year-old couple traveled extensively from their native Guacara in Venezuela to New York, but like many people trying to cross the border, they were separated when they arrived in Texas, leaving them in limbo not knowing what to do.
“You don’t know what to do, because you don’t have the money, because you don’t have the means, not even how to communicate, or you know where you are, it’s such a big country,” López said.
“I slept in the terminals, because I couldn’t accept not having my wife by my side. It’s strong, because when you get used to someone, that someone must always be by your side, giving you strength, support for all the things we’ve been through in that situation, “added Ojeda.
Jeczebel, was transferred to California
It lasted 18 days without seeing Jorge and had to travel across the country for the long-awaited reunion that was possible thanks to the Artists Althetes Activist organization.
Fearing that they would be separated again, the couple decided to contract a contract in front of the church, as they had a period of ten days to verify the relationship and thus be able to continue living in the same shelter.
Just like their marriage today, Jorge and Jezcebel say the idea of coming to the United States was born overnight and that it hurt a lot to leave their four children, but they never lose hope of seeing them again someday and give them a better future.
“The important thing is that, well, get a job so that you can send them, so they can eat and feel good there,” López said.
