An American woman, Laurie Rachelle, has been living outside Terminal 2 of Cancun International Airport since December 12, hoping to be deported by Mexican authorities after escaping a human trafficking situation.
Rachelle, 51, originally from the United States, shared her story with the newspaper Por Esto. She explained that she arrived in Mexico under false pretenses and had her identity documents stolen, preventing her from leaving the country.
She remains seated on the floor of the green area connecting to the parking lot, with her belongings packed in a luggage cart provided by Asur employees.
Her ordeal began in mid-2022 when she was contacted by someone claiming to be a friend of her French uncle, who allegedly needed her help due to health issues. Upon arrival in Mexico, she was taken to a ranch-like place and had her documents taken under the pretext of expediting her departure with her uncle, whom she had never met. Realizing she was being held against her will, she eventually escaped.
With only a copy of her documents, Rachelle went to the airport seeking help, but immigration authorities denied her departure, stating she needed a document from the American consulate and had to travel to Sonora.
Using her limited funds, she traveled to Sonora but found no support for obtaining a passport. Her situation worsened as she wandered around the country without resolution. Some people suggested she go to the southeast, hoping for assistance in the tourist destination of Cancun.
Arriving in Cancun in December 2024, Rachelle found little support. She has been living in the park between the parking lot and the terminal, relying on workers and passersby for food. Every night at 9 p.m., she is allowed to enter the terminal to shelter from the weather, but must return to the park in the morning.
While inside the terminal, she uses the bathrooms and tries to sleep in the chairs, but the night passes quickly, and she must return to the park at dawn.
Source: Reportur
