Exploring Migrant Journeys Through Composite Narratives

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The four personas developed in this project offer a human lens into the complexities of migration, grounded in real narratives shared by participants. Each profile is based on recurring patterns identified through 1,256 open-ended conversations conducted across seven countries between September and November 2024.

These personas are not statistically representative, nor do they aim to capture every possible migration experience. Instead, they reflect how participants described their motivations, decisions, and the evolving nature of their journeys during that specific moment in time.

**What These Personas Represent**

Each narrative is a composite built from firsthand accounts, designed to reflect distinct migration dynamics observed during the study:

* [**Ana**](/voices/3), a 36-year-old Venezuelan single mother, migrated legally through the Safe Mobility Offices (SMO) after facing political persecution and domestic violence.
* [**Pedro**](/voices/2), a 42-year-old Venezuelan father of two, began the SMO process in Ecuador but withdrew due to escalating gang threats, later opting for irregular migration.
* [**Andrea**](/voices/4), a 34-year-old Colombian woman, fled paramilitary violence, crossed the Darién Gap irregularly, and later used the CBP One app to regularize her entry into the U.S.
* [**Aaban**](/voices/1), a 28-year-old Afghan doctor, escaped Taliban threats and, after being unable to secure U.S. sponsorship, obtained a Mexican visa through an intermediary and awaited CBP One processing.


## **How to Read These Narratives**


These profiles are intended to:

* Highlight the complex, personal decision-making that shaped migration choices
* Illustrate how migrants responded to shifting opportunities, risks, and constraints
* Add human context to the broader insights shared in the main report

Each page outlines a timeline of key moments and turning points — helping readers better understand how migration was experienced and navigated by participants in real time.

Understanding Our Migration Personas

Family played a crucial role in Aaban’s decisions, particularly his mother and brother, who encouraged him to pursue legal migration and avoid irregular routes.

His cousin was instrumental, in providing advice and connections at key moments, including details about irregular migration and intermediaries for visas. Informal networks, such as peers in shelters and social media, also shaped his choices, offering practical guidance and emotional support.

Despite setbacks, Aaban’s emotional resilience and adaptability allowed him to continue pursuing his goals. Stories of others’ successes—such as his cousin’s migration to Canada—reinforced his determination to find a legal path forward.

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Feelings Experienced During These Events

Feelings

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Essential Insights from This Journey

Touchpoints

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How Obstacles Led to New Possibilities

Turning Challenges into Behaviors

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Key factors that influenced the experience.

Bonus

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A personal reflection on challenges and achievements.

Featured Quote

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Days Has Traveled in This Stage

Day Tracker

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His motivations and his pursuit of a better future.

Goals

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Most Important Thoughts on These Experiences

Reflections

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He temporarily relocated to Pakistan to escape immediate threats but endured significant hardships there, including harassment and exploitation.

Seeking Safety, Facing Hardship

Unable to navigate formal pathways alone, he engaged an intermediary to secure a Mexican visa.

Turning to Intermediaries

Upon reaching Mexico, Aaban shifted fully toward legal migration, choosing to pursue the CBP One process instead of irregular routes, influenced by family encouragement and shelter support.

Choosing the Legal Path

Despite the frustrations of waiting and technical issues, he remains persistent, checking the app daily to secure an appointment.

Persistence Amid Challenges

Throughout his journey, Aaban maximized every available resource, from social media to peer networks, to make informed decisions.

Resourceful Resilience

Systemic barriers, including lack of documentation due to the Taliban’s raid on his home and long bureaucratic delays, hinder access to formal migration pathways like sponsorship programs and visas.

Obstacles to Freedom

Economic instability adds further strain, as Aaban cannot secure steady work and must rely on limited resources to fund his journey.

In Pakistan, he experienced frequent police harassment, extortion, and professional setbacks, forcing him to navigate precarious conditions.

Surviving Adversity

In Mexico, CBP One's technical issues and long waits increased his frustration. Isolation and limited NGO support left him relying on family and informal networks.

Struggling in Limbo

Fled to Kabul with his mother, constantly moving between relatives’ homes to stay safe.

Relocation to avoid detection

Redirected his energy from advancing his medical career to finding a way to escape Afghanistan.

Shift from professional focus to survival

Prioritized the U.S. sponsorship program due to his brother’s strong connection with the U.S.

Reliance on family ties

Took measures to minimize visibility and avoid drawing attention to himself while in Kabul.

Increased caution

Aaban’s family became a target due to his brother’s work as a translator, leading to home raids and confiscation of documents.

Threats from the Taliban

The Taliban’s ban on employment for those affiliated with the previous government ended his medical practice and specialization.

Loss of career

Constant movement and fear of detection in Kabul made daily life precarious and emotionally taxing.

Lack of stability

Faced with few viable legal pathways, Aaban relied heavily on the sponsorship program as his primary hope.

Limited options for escape

Being unable to work or live freely left him feeling disconnected and without direction.

Isolation and uncertainty

Began seeking guidance from friends when legal systems proved inaccessible.

Shift from trust in formal systems to informal advice

Became open to exploring risky alternatives after systemic barriers blocked his legal options.

Consideration of irregular migration

Took initiative to understand his options, despite feeling isolated and unsupported.

Proactive search for solutions

Economic pressures and familial responsibilities pushed him to act quickly, even if it meant considering irregular paths.

Increased urgency

Taliban confiscation of key documents rendered Aaban ineligible for sponsorship.

Excessive documentation requirements

The 8–10 year wait time for the sponsorship program made it unrealistic given his immediate threats.

Long bureaucratic delays

Unemployed under the Taliban, Aaban had no income to support himself or contribute to his family.

Economic instability

Absence of NGO or international assistance for his case left Aaban feeling abandoned.

Isolation and lack of support

Emotional and cultural expectations to reunite with his mother compounded his urgency.

Pressure to reunite with family

Reluctantly left Afghanistan for Pakistan to seek temporary stability.

Between Borders

Adapted to unstable living conditions in Pakistan, navigating police extortion and professional barriers.

Surviving the Struggle

Shifted focus from irregular routes to seeking a legitimate visa after learning about the intermediary in Kabul.

Choosing a New Path

Made the decision to leave Pakistan and pursue an opportunity that aligned with his goal of reaching the U.S.

Seeking Opportunity

Police extortion and threats due to lack of proper documentation.

Safety Risks in Pakistan

The hospital’s requirement for Afghan-issued certificates he couldn’t obtain.

Employment Barriers

The sponsorship program’s delays and the high risks of smuggling routes left him with limited choices.

Lack of Reliable Options

The need to trust an intermediary increased his vulnerability and uncertainty.

Reliance on Informal Channels

After the first visa denial, desperation led him to re-evaluate the risks of smuggling routes.

Considered Irregular Migration

Persuaded by his cousin’s encouragement, and his family's opposition to irregular routes, he decided to attempt the visa process one more time despite his doubts.

Reluctantly Tried Again

Paid a significant amount to the intermediary without any guarantee of success.

Financial Risk

Felt like a failure and a waste of resources, pushing Aaban toward irregular migration.

First Visa Denial

No clear guidance or resources to navigate the visa process independently, relying entirely on informal networks.

Lack of Support:

Decided to use the CBP One app instead of pursuing the irregular crossing suggested earlier by his cousin. This change was influenced by family encouragement, shelter support, and his desire for a safer and legitimate process.

Shift to Legal Pathways

Committed to checking and attempting to secure an appointment every day despite technical challenges.

Daily Engagement with the CBP One App

Opted to remain in the shelter for safety and continued support, rather than risking exposure by traveling or seeking irregular alternatives.

Choosing to Stay in the Shelter

Encountered glitches and inconsistencies when using the CBP One app.

App Technical Issues

The lack of clarity on when an appointment would be available caused ongoing frustration.

Uncertainty of Timeline

After four months, the wait added emotional strain to an already exhausting journey.

Prolonged Waiting

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"I’ve come so far, and I know I can’t give up now. I’ve faced so many challenges, but being this close to my goal gives me hope that I’ll soon reunite with my family and rebuild my life."

Constantly worried about being detected by the Taliban while in Kabul.

Fear and insecurity

Unable to work or continue his medical career under the Taliban regime.

Hopelessness and frustration

Motivated by his family’s history and his brother’s U.S. ties to pursue a safe, legal escape.

Determination

Believed the parole process of the U.S. sponsorship program was a reliable option due to his brother’s involvement and his mother’s successful migration.

Trust and optimism

Felt deeply affected by the derailment of his career and the upheaval of his life.

Grief and loss

Hesitated about irregular migration, aware of the risks but desperate for alternatives

Uncertainty

Pressured by his role as the last son in Afghanistan and the need to reunite with his mother.


Responsibility and urgency

Isolation and vulnerability

Despair and frustration

Distrust

Persistent harassment by police and the inability to provide necessary documents in Pakistan exacerbated Aaban’s feelings of instability.

Frustration

His inability to maintain a stable job or access a reliable migration route made him feel trapped.

Hopelessness

The prospect of a Mexican visa offered Aaban a renewed sense of hope, though he remained wary of relying on informal channels.

Cautious Optimism

Felt immense happiness and renewed hope after receiving the visa on his second attempt.

Overjoyed and Relieved

Felt betrayed and hopeless after the first visa denial.

Frustrated and Scammed

Initially optimistic, believing his payment and effort would guarantee the visa.

Hopeful

Considered irregular migration due to the lack of alternatives.


Desperate

Felt comfort knowing he had reached Mexico and was close to the U.S.

Relief

Inspired by his family’s encouragement to stay safe and pursue legal entry.


Struggled with the technical challenges of the app and the uncertainty of securing an appointment.

Frustrated

Believed he had overcome the hardest parts of his journey and felt confident about his chances of success.

Optimistic

Aaban’s primary goal is to reunite with his family in the United States, where his mother holds a green card and his brother is a U.S. citizen. He seeks safety and stability, having faced persecution under the Taliban.

Aaban also aspires to resume his career as a doctor by continuing his medical studies in a supportive and prosperous environment.

Despite his determination to avoid the dangers of irregular migration and find a legal pathway to achieve his objectives, he is likely to migrate irregularly due to the lack of viable alternatives.

After the Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, Aaban’s life changed drastically. His brother’s work as a U.S. Army translator made the family a target. Taliban forces raided their home in Jalalabad, searching for his brother and confiscating important documents, including U.S. issued certifications. Fearing for their safety, Aaban and his mother fled to Kabul, where they lived in constant fear, moving between relatives’ homes to avoid detection.

Aaban’s career as a doctor was derailed under the Taliban regime, which banned employment for those associated with the previous government. Despite completing 12 years of schooling and 7 years of medical studies, he was unable to work or continue his specialization. The loss of his profession and the growing threats left him feeling hopeless.

Seeking a safe and legal way to escape, Aaban’s first thought was to apply through the U.S. sponsorship program, specifically through the parole process initiated by his brother, a U.S. citizen since 2013. This option seemed logical to Aaban because of his brother’s strong ties to the U.S. and his history of service as a translator for the U.S. Army. Aaban believed the sponsorship program would provide a clear and reliable pathway to join his family, particularly since his mother had already migrated to the United States as a green card holder.

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From Afghanistan to Mexico. Courage and determination against all odds.

Aaban's Journey of Resilience

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After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, Aaban’s family became a target due to his brother’s work with the U.S. Army. Forced to flee Jalalabad and live in fear in Kabul, Aaban lost his career as a doctor and faced hopelessness.

Decision to migrate from Afghanistan

"Hoping to find safety and stability, Aaban’s brother, a U.S. citizen since 2013, initiated a sponsorship application to bring Aaban to the United States legally. However, the process quickly revealed major barriers such as the excessive Documentation Requirements: The Taliban’s raid on their home in Jalalabad had confiscated critical documents, making it impossible for Aaban to meet the program’s strict requirements. 

U.S. authorities informed Aaban’s brother that the sponsorship process could take 8–10 years, far too long given the threats Aaban faced daily. 

Aaban felt excluded, believing the program prioritized others over people directly impacted by the Taliban. These systemic challenges left Aaban trapped in a cycle of despair. Waiting years for approval would prolong his exposure to danger and prevent him from rebuilding his career as a doctor. The lack of support from NGOs or international organizations in Afghanistan exacerbated his isolation, leaving him to navigate these barriers alone. 

In addition, economic and social pressures heightened the urgency of his situation. Unable to work under the Taliban, Aaban had no income to sustain himself or contribute to his family. As the last son remaining in Afghanistan, he felt a deep responsibility to reunite with his mother, now a U.S. green card holder. The same systems that had once promised safety and opportunity now felt inaccessible, compounding his frustration."

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Aaban’s brother applied to sponsor him to the U.S., but strict documentation requirements and an 8–10 year processing time made it unfeasible. Aaban felt isolated and excluded, unable to sustain himself or rebuild his career.

Exploring formal pathways

"After realizing the U.S. sponsorship program wouldn’t provide the immediate solution he needed, Aaban explored other options through family and friends. His cousin, who had migrated to Canada two years earlier via an irregular route through Brazil and Central America, suggested paying a smuggler to guide him along the same journey. However, Aaban’s mother and brother strongly opposed the idea due to the high risks and dangers. 

Seeking temporary stability, Aaban fled to Pakistan, where he found work at a hospital. However, he faced persistent challenges: Police frequently targeted Aaban, demanding bribes and threatening him due to his lack of local documents. Also, the hospital required Afghan-issued educational certificates, which he could not provide, forcing him to live in constant fear of losing his job. 

Overwhelmed by instability and harassment, Aaban turned to his cousin for guidance. His cousin introduced him to an informal intermediary in Kabul who claimed to be able to secure Mexican visas through the Mexican embassy in Tehran, for a fee. 

For the first time, Aaban saw a viable opportunity to access a legitimate visa and avoid irregular migration. He was clear that he didn’t want to stay in Mexico, but once there, he planned to find a way to cross the U.S. border. With few alternatives left, Aaban decided to take this opportunity, determined to begin his journey toward the U.S., recovering his hope."

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After the sponsorship path failed, Aaban fled to Pakistan for temporary stability but faced police harassment and job insecurity. His cousin introduced him to a contact who could secure a Mexican visa, giving him renewed hope.

Considering alternatives

"Following the intermediary’s instructions, Aaban traveled to Tehran to attend his appointment at the Mexican embassy. He had paid a significant amount of money and was confident the visa would be granted. For the first time in months, he felt hopeful that he was finally on the path to reuniting with his family. 

However, his application was denied. Aaban felt crushed, frustrated, and scammed. Desperation began to set in, and he considered taking the irregular route his cousin had initially suggested, even though his mother and brother strongly opposed it. 

The intermediary encouraged him to try again, but Aaban was doubtful. His cousin convinced him by sharing stories of others who had succeeded after multiple attempts. Reluctantly, Aaban agreed to try once more and started working to gather the required money again. 

On his second attempt, one year and a half later, Aaban was granted a visa for Mexico. He was overjoyed, seeing this as a turning point. With renewed hope, he immediately started planning his trip to Mexico, feeling closer to his dream of reuniting with his family and continuing his medical studies."

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Aaban’s first Mexican visa application was denied, leaving him frustrated and desperate. After working to save money, he reapplied and succeeded on his second attempt a year and a half later, reigniting his hope.

Securing a Mexican Visa

"After arriving in Mexico, Aaban relied on information from social media and advice from his cousin, who had been a crucial source of guidance throughout his journey. Following this advice, Aaban paid someone to help him travel from Mexico City to Tijuana, believing it was best to stay closer to the U.S. border. In Tijuana, he found a shelter with many Afghan migrants, where he could seek support and resources. 

At the shelter, Aaban learned about the CBP One app from both staff and fellow migrants. When he shared with his family that he had reached Mexico, it brought relief and hope to everyone. His family encouraged him to remain safe at the shelter and pursue legal entry into the U.S. through the app. Agreeing with their advice, Aaban downloaded the app with the support of the shelter staff, registered, and began the process of seeking an appointment. 

For the past four months, Aaban’s daily routine has revolved around trying to secure his appointment. He acknowledges the app’s technical issues and inconsistencies but finds the uncertainty of when he will get an appointment to be the most frustrating aspect. Despite these challenges, Aaban remains optimistic. He believes he has overcome the hardest parts of his journey and is confident that being so close to the U.S., he will eventually achieve his goal of reuniting with his family and continuing his medical studies."

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Aaban traveled to Tijuana, where he stayed in a shelter for Afghan migrants. Guided by family and the shelter staff, he downloaded the CBP One app and began the process to secure a legal U.S. entry appointment.

Arrival in Mexico and seeking entry to the U.S.

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Facilitated the appointment at the Mexican embassy but added financial risk and uncertainty to the process.