2023-11-19 08:00:15
Judith Torrea’s Instagram account has become a reference for migrants and their loved ones. SCREENSHOTS OF JUDITH TORREA’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: @JUDITHENJUARITOS
Journalist Judith Torrea appears live on her Instagram account, from the border bridge between Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, where she lives, and El Paso, Texas. Cap screwed on her long brown hair, she comments on the entry into the United States of a group of refugees who form a queue in front of the American border police (Custom and Border Protection): “Here is how you can obtain an asylum application in the United States, with an appointment on the CBP One mobile application, the only one that is free and official. » Elle hands his microphone to migrants to collect their impressions, when they are so close to their goal. Some have waited more than three months for this appointment, others two weeks, and all are exhausted but happy. Judith turns the camera towards herself and reminds her audience, from all over Latin America, of the risks of illegal crossings.
Almost daily, and sometimes several times a day, Spanish journalist Judith Torrea speaks live on her Instagram account “Judith en Juaritos”, intended for those who are in the process of migrating to the United States from Ciudad Juárez or who aspire to embark on this route, one of the most dangerous of migration. This public exchanges the name of their account, a bit like they would the address of a shelter. A quick glance at the comments on his videos confirms the refugees’ gratitude: “Judith saved our lives”, declares a Colombian couple; “Watch his live broadcasts to learn everything about migration to Ciudad Juárez”, advises a Venezuelan ; “He’s our angel reporter,” adds another.
Every day, hundreds, even thousands of people arrive in Ciudad Juárez, on foot, by train, by bus, to try to cross into the United States. “Most cannot read, but all have a phone to watch the videos. I never imagined that this work could have such an impact on their lives. They have no idea of the dangers and scams of this border. What I do is pioneering. This is a sInformation service for the most vulnerable people, for them and not about them. I do useful journalism, a real public service,” specifies this fifty-year-old.
In search of the missing
Judith Torrea also travels along the border, in the Ciudad Juárez region and describes the dangers and the good plans. Each time, she holds out her microphone to collect direct testimonies from migrants who speak to other migrants. She then continues the investigations, turns to the authorities, searches for the missing people who have been reported to her. Because during these lives, asylum seekers or their families participate live: they too denounce abuse or appeal for help to find a loved one.
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