Nogales, Mexico Part Three

For thirty years, one family in Nogales has kept a shelter going for deportees who are deposited back in Mexico after being caught without documentation in the U.S.  Many of them are from Central America, some are indigenous people who don't even speak Spanish.

They arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  They're allowed to stay just a short while in this shelter until they can figure out where to go next.

Sadly, because they feel they have no other options, they try crossing illegally again.

There's a nearly life-size crucifix in one room and the men and women have placed the plastic bands that were put on them when they were imprisoned in the U.S. for crossing illegally on the arms of Jesus.

With the Samaritans, I spent a day at the center where the deportees are fed and offered clothes and shoes since they have nothing.

The wall between the U.S. and Mexico - this photo taken at  Sasabe, Arizona.

Posters warning people not to climb the border wall and of the severe hazards of trying to cross the desert.

I'll be writing more on the Immigration issue, especially as seen from Arizona.

I'd also like to recommend several good sources.

Peg Bowden, a member of our local Samaritan group has a blog about her experiences going across to Mexico and working in the center for deportees there.  Her blog is La Frontera

Interestingly, Paul Theroux, the well known travel writer found her blog and contacted her.  He asked if he could meet her in Mexico and have her take him to the Comedor.  He wrote an article in the Sunday NYTimes titled The Country Just Over the Fence.  

And thirdly, I've been busy ( and ignoring this blog) working as the new webmaster for the 

Green Valley Samaritans.