- Article profiles 59 year-old Ramon Salas’ recent Texas border apprehension (tried entering US illegally), separation from grandson, and deportation.
- Guatemala’s corruption-plagued offers few services/opportunities.
- Gangs fill void by offering predatory loans and extorting citizens.
- Salas eked out a living growing corn and jalapeño peppers; after paying gangs $300-500/month, his family struggled to survive.
- Many deportees borrowed thousands to pay smugglers to leave and must repay 3-4x in interest.
- Upon returning, many risk going back to US to avoid losing what little their families already have.
