Delia Flores faces a life with her three children and the pain of having a partner cruelly murdered in Tijuana. (Delia Flores)
Delia Flores is one of the tens of thousands of Mexicans fleeing the violence that plagues Mexico. Now a resident of Compton, she faces a life with her three children and the pain of having a partner cruelly murdered in Tijuana, leaving her with three children for whom she struggles to move forward.
“I studied nursing; I am a registered nurse. It was never in my plans to come to the United States. After my husband’s death, I began receiving threats, probably from the same people who harmed my husband. I had no choice but to cross the border; I did it for my children,” she says.
Originally from Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, Flores endured a childhood that no one would wish for.
“My father was an alcoholic. My childhood was filled with alcohol, drunkenness, violence, beatings, and sexual violence. I don’t remember how long, but I was abused,” she comments.
Delia Flores had her first partner at the age of 15.
“I don’t know if it was love; it was a bit of everything, commitment, escaping violence, being with him. I got together with him and had two children; then, he ended up in jail, and that was the end after some time,” she says.
Later on, she met her last partner. He was in the United States and was deported shortly after. When he returned to Michoacán, they started dating, and in 2020, they decided to migrate to Tijuana because there was no work in their hometown.
I know He will help me and my children. Sometimes I feel sad, more emotionally than physically; it has affected me emotionally. But I will fight with everything to support my children,” she says. (Delia Flores)
Her now-deceased partner started working as a truck driver, saved some money, bought a car, and started working for Uber. One night, they picked up passengers, and at their destination, they were ambushed, and the car and its occupants were set on fire, beginning her ordeal.
“I was almost finishing my nursing degree, traveling between Tijuana and Ensenada. My world came crashing down,” she says.
Her sisters-in-law helped her move to a different place, and she managed to finish her studies. But the threats started pouring in. They were so serious that her relatives sent her to Ciudad Juárez to cross the border.
A church helped her, provided her with a place to stay, and took in her three children, the youngest being the daughter of the deceased father.
Soon after, the pastor helped her file for political asylum due to threats from a cartel against her and her children.
“It has been difficult. A new country, a new culture, food. I knew that if I stayed in Mexico, I could work as a nurse, but I could also lose my life and theirs,” she adds.
A niece of hers paid for her transfer to Los Angeles. It hasn’t been easy; she can’t have a job because she lacks a Social Security number. She works temporarily cleaning houses and taking care of her children.
She turned to the East Los Angeles Women’s Center for help. She needs someone to help her find a place to live and a lawyer to arrange a visa for her and her children.
“It has been very difficult. At times, I am very tired. But I have to keep going. I have always known God, but for the past four years, I have surrendered to Him. I am a Christian; I know He will help me and my children. Sometimes I feel sad, more emotionally than physically; it has affected me emotionally. But I will fight with everything to support my children,” she says.
The arrival of Christmas does not sit well with her.
“I would like to be there in Mexico with my family. But I have to face my reality and trust in God,” she concludes.
