Alfredo and his wife Silvia and their son Daniel thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because they managed to cross the Rio Bravo without being noticed by the immigration police. They got to the U.S. and earn some bucks to support themselves. They wholeheartedly ask you to always protect them on their way.

January 25, 1985, Mexico City

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because I’ve managed to get into the US without being seen by the immigration police. I ask to find a good job to send money to my family.

Donato Gutierrez
Michoacan, Mexico, 1975

December 31, 1968

When I, full of hope of getting into the United States, crossed the Rio Bravo, I was caught by the migration police. He threatened me with death, pointing his gun in my mouth. I saw that there was no salvation for me, and I implored the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe. I realized what it is to be in a foreign land. I was searched, they took the little i got on me, then they threw me back to the river. I came back, relaying on my luck. I promised to bring you this retablo when I came back to my land. Now I do what I promised because you stayed with me.

Tomas Huerta — Zitacuaro, Michoacan

Arturo Lopez and his family give infinite thanks to the Lord of Chalma for giving them the strength to cross the Arizona desert, come to the U.S. and fulfill their American dream and earn some bucks to support their family.

January 25, 1985, U.S.

I thank the White Dog and the Coyote for making me a company on this journey when I cross the desert and the border to get to the US at the age of 8. I witness my gratitude for that.

Guadalupe Maravilla, February 4, 1984

I thank Juan the Soldier for giving me courage to grab on the plane going to the United States. Although, I could’ve lost my life, I arrived well and found job.

Jose Sanchez Saldivar
Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala, 1965

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for I managed, without any “coyote” guide’s help, to get to the other side and to come to Los Angeles.

Raul Padilla

My mother of Guadalupe, we thank you for letting us cross the Arizona desert without being caught by the immigration police. We managed to fulfill our American dream and keep on going forward together, in family.

December 12, 1985
Señora Maria and her husband Antonio and their son Pedro

Victim of fatigue and anxiety because of dehydration, abandoned in the desert by the guide who promised me to get me to Arizona where my brother was waiting for me, I was lost and all alone. I implored the Virign of Guadalupe, she took mercy on me and made so I was found by other immigrants who helped me to get from there to North Carolina.

December 12, 2000
Iztapalapa, Mexico City

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, we offer this retablo in your honor for delivering us from dying in the desert when we were going for our American dream but were caught and beaten by the immigration police. We ask you to protect our fellowmen who go looking for a better life.

The Sanchez brothers, Mexico, 2016

I’m thankful to Jesus Malverde because my business with illegals is going great.

Tony Guerra

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that my children, who had gone to the other side as illegals, returned to our village and now we all together work with our livestock, for which I dedicate this retablo.

Felipa Toxqui
Calpan, 1955

I, Juan Gomez, pay with this retablo giving infinite thanks for not dying drowning in Rio Bravo when I tried to cross it to the United States to get my American dream. I couldn’t do it because of this racist Donald Trump, but I had a dream in which I saw a skeleton pulling Trump to the hell for being such a pig. Viva Mexico, bastards!

May 18, 2019