Crossing with the Virgin: Stories from the Migrant Trail (review)

It has been called the "Devil's Highway,"¹ and the people who attempt to endure it are characterized as "Dying to Live."² This treacherous "highway" is a strip of desert encompassing the "Tucson Sector," stretching 262 miles from the New Mexico and Arizona state line to the western part of Arizona.³ It contains some of the most dangerous and desolate parts of the United States and Mexico where temperatures can reach 115 degrees in the summer and may drop below freezing in the winter.⁴ It is truly a land of the survival of the fittest.

Despite these conditions, this border region annually attracts desperate migrants, primarily from Mexico and Central America, who attempt to cross the desert in search of a better existence. They come from all walks of life, from farmers to professionals.⁵ Approximately 4,000 known migrant deaths have occurred as of 2007.⁶ The calendar year 2010 has been another deadly year due to the increased militarization of the US-Mexico border. Many humanitarian groups have emerged to prevent deaths in the desert including an organization called the Samaritans.⁷ They search for migrants in distress and provide food, water, and medical assistance. They are a group composed of individuals from various faiths with one common goal—to prevent migrant deaths.

The harrowing stories of these migrants and humanitarians who attempt to prevent their deaths are documented in the compelling book Crossing with the Virgin: Stories from the Migrant Trail by Kathryn Ferguson, Norma A. Price, and Ted Parks. These authors are Arizona residents and Samaritan volunteers. They recount thirty-nine firsthand stories of their experiences in aiding migrant travelers along the US-Mexico border between the years 2002 and 2008. The book is written in narrative form and the stories were compiled and recorded as they occurred. The authors received permission from the migrants to write their stories, but changed their names for anonymity.

After spending years in the field trying to prevent needless deaths in the desert, the three authors narrate the lives of migrants searching for a better life. The narratives expose the underlying economic disparity and personal reasons propelling border crossings. They interview migrant men and women, in English and Spanish, some found in the desert, border towns, and others who end up in the hospital. In the process, the book goes beyond mere facts and statistics to give an in-depth understanding of each author's perspective on the ethical nature and human effect of militarization at the US-Mexico border. In this way, the reader becomes a witness to the daily struggles that many migrants experience. Despite the complexity of issues, one commonality weaves these stories together—the desperation of poverty.

While various books have been written on the US-Mexico border, this book uniquely puts a human face on these border crossers. The authors view these travelers as human beings, regardless of their origins and legal status. This book challenges all Americans to question the humanity of current US border enforcement policies and the human cost of living the way we do. It is a persuasive book that will stand the test of time and not let us forget about what has become hallowed ground in the southern Arizona desert. It is a remarkable work for anyone interested in this geopolitical, ethical, and most importantly, human struggle.

Another insightful aspect about Crossing with the Virgin is that it chronicles the extraordinary determination and faith that these migrants possess—that they will indeed find something better on el otro lado (the other side) of the border. For many migrants, they not only carry their worldly possessions, endure separation from their loved ones, but also have an amazing resiliency and keep their faith close at heart. Their patron saint, Virgin of Guadalupe, is an important symbol of faith carried along on a dangerous journey, depicted on...