Chicago migrant mom searches for missing husband amid new job
Jessica Juma, a mother from rural Ecuador, is facing an emotional crisis as her husband, Angel Mashiant, disappeared during her first week at a new job in Chicago. After months of job hunting and relying on panhandling, Juma finally secured work at Mariano’s in Lakeview, only to be blindsided by her husband’s sudden departure on May 25.
“Everything seemed normal that morning,” Juma recalls. While Juma was busy packing fruits and vegetables, Mashiant was outside the store with their children. He mentioned buying new shoes but never returned.
Since then, Juma has been tirelessly searching for him, walking along the lakefront, calling his name, and filing a missing person’s report. “I don’t know where he could have gone,” she said, holding back tears. “He always came back.”
This heartbreaking situation highlights a troubling trend where migrant men, overwhelmed by their inability to provide for their families, simply vanish. “When men can’t provide, they decide to leave,” said Ana Gil-Garcia of the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance.
Juma’s story is a stark reminder of the struggles faced by many migrant families trying to adapt to life in a new country. With over 43,000 migrants passing through Chicago since 2022, many single mothers find themselves in similar predicaments.
While coping with her husband’s disappearance, Juma continues to work and care for her children, hoping for some closure. “I just want him to come back,” she said, still clinging to hope as she navigates this challenging chapter alone.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Chicago migrant mom searches for missing husband amid new job
