Maria Taracena

Jan 15, 2025 | prismreports.org | María Inés Taracena |Maria Taracena

Jhon Javier Benavides Quintana left his home in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to find safety and better opportunities in the U.S. and to provide for his two young children, Jeremy and Mia. The decision to undertake the treacherous and potentially deadly journey north in February 2024 was an act of tremendous sacrifice. In recent years, communities in Ecuador have been devastated by worsening violence and an economic crisis that’s forced tens of thousands to flee to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Feb 28, 2024 | prismreports.org | María Inés Taracena |Maria Taracena

Ghada Tafesh has fought to evacuate her family from Gaza since Israel’s attacks began in October. Tafesh, who was born in Gaza and currently lives in Maryland, says the process has been marred by chaos, confusion, and dead ends as she navigates the bureaucracy of U.S. agencies. Israel’s siege and bombardment of Gaza has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians, including about 12,000 children.