To the Holy Virgin of San Juan, I dedicate this retablo thanking for protecting me from the immigration police when they were running after me. I entrusted myself to her and was able to get to Rio Bravo, hide myself and cross it. With her blessing, I came to California and got a job. I saved good money and opened my tacos shop here in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.

Your devoted Isidro O.
June 17, 1990

We felt horror and anxiety of dying suffocating because of lack of air and terrible heat, locked up inside the trailer for more than four hours from Laredo to San Antonio, Texas. We made two holes with a knife to breathe a little bit because there were 70 of us, immigrants going to the United States in search of job. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because I managed to arrived alive to the destination. I pray for those who didn’t—let they rest in peace.

Immigrant, August 2017

I dedicate this to the Virgin of San Juan thanking her for delivering me from dying drowning in Rio Bravo. Thanks to David and Miguel, two Salvadorians, who saved my life. Together we managed to get to the United States and achieve the American dream.

Angel
Jalisco, Mexico, May 10, 2011

Virgin of Guadalupe, we thank you for we met each other 10 years ago in New York and made our love official. But today, after knowing about Donald Trump winning the US presidency, we decided to return to Mexico in fear of being deported and humiliated by his threatening and discriminatory ideas.

Ramon & Rosa, Puebla, 14–11–2017

Daniel and Luis thanks the Lord of Chalma for giving them strength to cross the Arizona desert and fulfill their American dream and make some bucks to support their family back in Mexico.

January 25, 1985

My fiancée’s brother was so jealous that we had to hide our engagement. In order to spend more time together, she got an idea to dress me up like a woman so I could pass for her friend. I thank Saint Sebastian for her brother had to go to work in another country because he was already falling in love with me. Now my fiancée and I are free.

Cesar Morales — Oaxaca, Mexico

Immigration police caught me when I was working without documents. They accused me of stealing and threw in a jail in Dallas, Texas, US. Finding myself in this trouble I implored the Protectress of the Mexicans, Our Lady of Guadalupe for my freedom. She worked me the miracle of proving my innocence. Now I give thanks and keep on working as it should be.

Facundo P. T.
July 4, 1960

We wholeheartedly thank Saint Toribio Romo for helping my little brother and me to cross the border. We wanted to see our mother again, because few years ago she went to work in United States leaving us with our grandmother. Thanks to his divine mercy we survived the tough desert and can reunite with our mother again.

Teodoro y Jacinto Rios — Sonora, Mexico

Señor Antonio together with his wife Maria and their son Pedro thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for letting them cross the Rio Bravo without being noticed by the immigration police. They could make their American dream, earn some bucks and support their family.

1985

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for protecting us from the immigration police so we could hop over the wall, got to San Diego, California, and found there jobs as builders. Pancho, my son Juan and I are fulfilling our promise with this.

Mexico, 2016

Pedro gives infinite thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe for letting him return back to Mexico safe and sound after he was beating till unconscious in the Arizona desert when the immigration police caught him trying to cross the US border only to earn some dollars to support his family.

January 25, 2001

Thank you Virgin of Guadalupe for my son and I are together again. We were separated by the zero tolerance policy—he was sent to Texas and I was deported. I asked to protect him and to let me come back for him. And that happened 49 days later.

Grateful Honduran, 9–8–2018

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for giving them the opportunity to cross the wall and to make their dreams of the family reunion and surviving together in California come true. It’s «chilango» who asked you to protect them.

Mexico City
December 2009
Bless their way

Notes:
The Border Fence
Sign: «God lives without borders»
Chilango is a Mexican slang demonym for residents of Mexico City.