In a story that reflects the emotional complexities of migration, 23-year-old Yeison, a Venezuelan migrant fleeing political and economic turmoil in his homeland, faces a heart-wrenching decision as he prepares to enter the United States: whether to leave his beloved pet squirrel, Niko, behind. Yeison's journey to the U.S. has been fraught with peril and sacrifice, but he remains unwavering in his determination to keep Niko by his side.
During the weeks it took Yeison and Niko to migrate from Venezuela toward the U.S., they navigated treacherous jungles, faced danger, and even came across a deceased individual. The bond between them is unbreakable, with Yeison going to great lengths to ensure that his furry companion stays with him.
Yeison's journey began when he sold his phone to secure enough bus fare for both himself and Niko to continue their perilous journey northward. As millions of Venezuelans like Yeison flee their homeland's political and economic turmoil, the emotional choices migrants make about what to bring with them become increasingly poignant.
On Saturday, Yeison is set to present himself at the U.S. border to seek entry and request asylum, but here lies the challenge: animals are typically not permitted to cross the border. Yeison expressed that leaving Niko behind is simply not an option, as their bond is irreplaceable.
For six months, Yeison and Niko lived in a tent at an encampment in Matamoros, across from the Texas border city of Brownsville. This site, unlike other border towns, has not seen a dramatic increase in migrant numbers recently. During their time in the encampment, Niko remained a constant source of comfort and companionship for Yeison.
While the odds of successfully taking Niko across the border are slim, volunteers at the encampment are not giving up hope. Gladys Cañas, the director of the NGO Ayudándoles A Triunfar, has encountered migrants who wanted to cross with their pets before, including cats, dogs, and even a rabbit, but never a squirrel. Cañas has helped Yeison connect with a veterinarian to document Niko's vaccinations, hoping to provide the necessary paperwork to border agents that could grant Niko passage.
"There's a connection between him and the squirrel, so much that he preferred to bring it with him than leave the squirrel behind with family in Venezuela and face the dangers that come with the migrant journey. They gave each other courage," Cañas remarked.
Yeison's journey with Niko began when he found the squirrel as a nearly newborn animal in Venezuela. Niko quickly became part of his family, and even during times of food scarcity, Yeison ensured that Niko was well-fed with pine trees, tomatoes, and mangoes.
At one point, Yeison sought work in Colombia but returned after discovering a pine splinter lodged in Niko's eye. From then on, he was resolved to take Niko with him on his next journey to the U.S., no matter the risks.
Like thousands of migrants, Yeison navigated the perilous jungle known as the Darien Gap, where he stumbled upon the body of a deceased individual hidden under blankets. He concealed Niko in a backpack during bus rides and checkpoint inspections in Mexico, but he recalls one instance when a bus driver discovered the squirrel and made him pay extra to keep Niko onboard. Yeison, determined to keep his cherished companion with him, sold his phone to cover the additional cost.
As Yeison stands on the threshold of the U.S., the future remains uncertain for him and Niko. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the extraordinary lengths migrants go to preserve the bonds they hold dear in the face of unimaginable challenges.