Crossing with the Virgin: Stories from the Migrant Trail

by Kathryn Ferguson, Norma A. Price, Ted Parks

Over the past ten years, more than 4,000 people have died while crossing the Arizona desert to find jobs, join families, or start new lives. Other migrants tell of the corpses they pass—bodies that are never recovered or counted.

Crossing With the Virgin collects stories heard from migrants about these treacherous treks—firsthand accounts told to volunteers for the Samaritans, a humanitarian group that seeks to prevent such unnecessary deaths by providing these travelers with medical aid, water, and food. Other books have dealt with border crossing; this is the first to share stories of immigrant suffering at its worst told by migrants encountered on desert trails.

The Samaritans write about their encounters to show what takes place on a daily basis along the confrontations with Border Patrol agents at checkpoints reminiscent of wartime; children who die in their parents’ desperate bid to reunite families; migrants terrorized by bandits; and hovering ghost-like above nearly every crossing, the ever-present threat of death.

These thirty-nine stories are about the migrants, but they also tell how each individual author became involved with this work. As such, they offer not only a window into the migrants’ plight but also a look at the challenges faced by volunteers in sometimes compromising situations—and at their own humanizing process.

Crossing With the Virgin raises important questions about underlying assumptions and basic operations of border enforcement, helping readers see past political positions to view migrants as human beings. It will touch your heart as surely as it reassures you that there are people who still care about their fellow man.

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Social Commentary

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Debmeinke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, what are we thinking with our horrible treatment of these hard-working folks?

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the heart of the issues of immigration reform. Having walked the "Migrant Trail" for three years, this book presents the stories of those who make the dangerous trek across the Sonoran desert and bring a depth of reality to the reasons I walk the Migrant Trail every year. A political issue, yes, but it's also a humanitarian issue. This book is an excellent compilation of the stories that need to be told about immigration and the crisis that is happening at our southern border.

[Kevin W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self-hating garbage and misinformation written by elitist liberals and very little focus on the actual stories of migrants. A much better read is “American Dirt”. Even though American Dirt is fiction, it is much closer to the actual truth than this worthless account of the stories of the three authors whom tell their own stories and not that of the migrants. Too bad this book was so falsely advertised.

[Tim Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit uneven in the writing style but this doesn't degrade the overall quality and message.

[Penny Kilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories from the Samaritan's and NMD volunteers. Tells stories of helping immigrant's stay alive in the desert. Heartbreaking.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

After listening to the three authors on C-Span, I was eager to read this book and was not disappointed. The authors share their experiences as volunteers for the Samairtians, a humanitarian group that travels through the hot deserts south of Tuscan, Arizona and into north Mexico, taking food and water to starving migrants and calling in medical help for injured travelers. Before we can judge another, we must first seek to understand him or her, and this book helps me better understand the plight of migrants, who risk their lives to walk through the treacherous deserts across northern Mexico and into Arizona. I was dismayed to discover that the NAFTA treaty resulted in mass lay-offs and increased poverty in Mexico, which has motivated many men and women to cross the borders so that their families can survive.

I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to better understand the plight of our neighbors in Mexico and central America and who wants to be able to participate in the dialogue about immigration with more extensive information.

[Flavia Sugnu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still haven't finished reading it but just thinking about what I've read...honestly, it gives me goosebumps, especially the story of of the man who had it all, lost it because he lost his job and then lost the life he knew. There was also the story of Aurelio, gosh, when I think of that I feel like crying! I hate how the agents were more concerned with fighting over pulling rank and issuing orders that they wasted so much time before allowing him the basic necessities of water and health and then, when they couldn't find which hospital Aurelio had been sent to, my heart felt like it was breaking!
Honestly one of the most emotion evoking, heart ripping reads. Thank God for those volunteers who at least try to do their bit.

[Kathi Sikora]

Co-authored by someone who Walks the Path of Faith.

[Michael Rudzik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone should read. I promise you will find this book informative and eye opening about migrants. A story I was unaware of until I picked this book up on a chance. Haunting...