Difficult journeys to enter the U.S.

The Wall Street Journal had an excellent article on May 30-31, 2015, about the arduous journeys some migrants undertake to enter the United States illicitly. The article focuses on migrants who cross the Darien Gap, which connects Panama with South America. From there, migrants typically make their way overland through nine more countries to the U.S. border. The route is attractive to some migrants because they can get a visa to enter some South American countries. Interestingly, even some migrants from Cuba--who will qualify for legal status if they can reach the U.S.--use the route, which involves dangers ranging from bloodsucking bats to poisonous snakes to predatory smugglers and gangs.