The Brave Honduran Mother Who Made Headlines Files for Asylum
Maria Meza made headlines last month when she was photographed running away from tear gas with her children. In the eye-opening photo, the 35-year-old pulls her twin daughters by the arms, while her older daughter runs alongside them. The Honduran mother of five approached the U.S. border over Thanksgiving weekend to claim asylum.
After spending a week in Tijuana, Mexico, she approached the U.S. border in the company of other Central American migrants. But when she was blocked by the Mexican police, the Latina would not take “no” for an answer and joined a protest in front of the border. It was at this moment that three tear gas canisters were thrown by U.S. Border Patrol and landed by Meza and her children.
“The first thing I did was grab my children,” she told Reuters.“I was scared, and I thought I was going to die with them because of the gas.” With the help of a young man, all six were able to get to safety.
“We never thought they were going to fire these bombs where there were children,” the mother said. “It wasn’t right, they know we are human beings, the same as them.” The iconic photo drew no sympathy from President Donald Trump, who said the Central American migrants should be sent back.
Despite this, the Honduran mother was allowed to enter the U.S. to seek asylum on December 18, according to the New York Post. Californian Democrat Jimmy Gomez tweeted about the moment:
After 7hrs, I can now confirm:
— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) December 18, 2018
Maria Meza & her kids — featured in this @Reuters image fleeing tear gas at the border last month — just filed for asylum.
They’re on American soil.@RepBarragan & I are still here observing conditions on the ground. #RefugeesWelcome @fams2gether pic.twitter.com/t8cEDRtGIQ
Currently, the Meza family is being processed. “I came here for one reason, and that’s because there is a lot of violence in Honduras,” the Latina said. “I ask God that…they open doors to us, in order to survive with my children.”