On our third day in El Paso, we
started off the day with a visit from the founder of the Annunciation house,
Ruben Garcia. Ruben Garcia has been working at the Annunciation house for 38
years (since 1978), and has never once questioned his work, even though it is
in the grey area. During the talk with
Mr. Garcia, he compared “the hero’s” of the September eleventh attacks to the
victims of the El Salvadorian civil war. Garcia mentioned that one particular
listener (not from this group) was shocked and offended that Garcia compared
the victims of the civil war to the victims of the September Eleventh attacks.
Standing true to his beliefs, Garcia told the person that whether the people
are from America, Latin America, or anywhere else in the world, that everyone
is a person with a story. Ruben Garcia was an example of what a leader looks
like, as he was passionate in his beliefs, stern in his ideas, and willing to
do whatever it took to serve those who come to the Annunciation house.
Following lunch at the Annunciation
house, we had the privilege to hear the tale of an immigrant journey from El
Salvador. She told us the story of how
she traveled from her home country, through Mexico with her three children,
hoping to find safety and asylum inside of the United States. She fled due
horrific gang violence that the government cannot control. The trigger to her
and her family fleeing the country was when her son was given the ultimatum to
join a gang or be killed by them. She then travelled through both El Salvador
and Mexico and then finally to the El Paso Juarez border. Upon arrival, she was
interrogated by U.S Border Patrol for five hours until she was finally placed
in a small, cold room with her children. Today she is so grateful to be a part
of the Annunciation house community and that her and her children are in such a
great place. She knows that there still is a possibility of deportation, yet
she remains hopeful for her court date in July, which will determine whether or
not she will get asylum in the United States.
During Ruben Garcia’s talk, he told
us a story about a nineteen-year-old gentlemen that was shot and killed by the
U.S Border Patrol in February 2003.
Juan Patricio was taking out the
trash when two Border Patrol cars pulled up on the private property of the
Annunciation house. Knowing that he was undocumented, after being interrogated
by the Border Patrol, Juan fled only to be chased by the Border Patrol. After a
brief pursuit, Juan was against six Border Patrol officers. Prior, Juan had
been struck in the head by a metal baton, which is supposed to be used on the
suspect’s legs only. He was frustrated after this, and held a metal pole for
defense. The officers were frightened by the pole, and so one of the officers
shot and killed Juan. This all took place right below the Annunciation house,
and so there were many witnesses that watched the events unfold from a top the
roof. This case is only one of hundreds of tragic borderland stories. Below is
a picture of the group reflecting over the memorial of Juan.
Happy Birthday Hannah Blackwell!
From,
The El Paso group
