Ghanaian Migrant in Mexico Shares Insights on the Journey to America
George is a Ghanaian living in Tijuana, Mexico, and a regular guest on SVTV Africa’s “Daily Hustle Worldwide” show with DJ Nyaami.
According to George, despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, many people are still using the Mexico route to enter America. He mentioned a woman who recently flew directly from Panama to Mexico, noting that some travelers now use routes that avoid dangerous bush paths, though these are often more expensive.
“Most people prefer to cross into America and get arrested so they can be processed there,” George explained. “They would rather face detention in the U.S. than remain in Mexico and struggle to survive.”
Currently, Mexico hosts a large number of immigrants, and those without legal documents are finding it extremely difficult to secure jobs. George noted that some migrants are released within a month after being detained, especially pregnant women and families with children.
He also described cases where women intentionally get pregnant in Mexico because being expectant gives them a better chance of lenient treatment in U.S. detention centers. George even heard of a woman who managed to reach New York, though it’s unclear how she escaped detention.
Smugglers charge varying fees depending on the route. “If they take you through Texas, they ask for about $8,000, but others charge as much as $13,000,” George said, adding that one such smuggler came from an African country.
In Tijuana, George often sees many fellow Ghanaians who are not yet ready to cross into the U.S. “Most of them come here looking for better opportunities,” he said.
“When I stand in front of my house, I see them every day.”
He shared that he himself hopes to enter the U.S. legally one day, but for now, he is content to stay in Mexico.
“I always move around with my documents and money, ready for when the opportunity comes,” he said. “Being close to California is risky because of drug issues, but we are prepared.”
George lived in Mexico City before relocating to Tijuana, where he says there are many Africans — including Ghanaians, Russians, and Ethiopians. “Some of my friends entered the U.S. just 30 minutes after leaving Tijuana,” he said.
“If you know the right people, you can cross. The problem isn’t entering — it’s how long you’ll spend in detention.”
Some migrants are deported after a year, while others are released much earlier. For now, George says he prefers to wait for the right moment. “I spent a lot of money to come to Mexico,” he said. “For me, Mexico is still better than Ghana, so I’ll stay here until the time is right — maybe after the World Cup.”
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