These powerful stories of migrants' experiences reveal the painful consequences of public policy
Migrants, refugees, and deportees live through harrowing situations, yet their personal stories are often ignored. While politicians and commentators herald border crises, and speculate on these peoples' lives, the actual memories of migrants are rarely shared. In the tradition of oral storytelling, Voices of the Border recounts the stories migrants have told, offering a window into individual and shared experiences of crossing the United States–Mexico border.
This collection emerged from interviews conducted by the members of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), a Jesuit organization that provides humanitarian assistance and advocates for migrants. Based in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora—twin border cities connected by shared histories, geographies, and cultures—the editors and their colleagues have documented migrants' testimonios. These personal narratives of lived experiences, presented in the original Spanish, with English translations, show us these individuals' strength and courage in the face of injustice. Chapter introductions—written by migrant advocates, humanitarian workers, religious leaders, and scholars—provide context.
These powerful stories help readers better understand migrants' experiences, and consequences of public policy for their communities.
Reviews
"There is a reason why Jesus taught in parables. Stories can move hearts in a way that arguments, definitions, and statistics cannot. This remarkable book of testimonies from migrants, along with commentary from those who work with them, paints a vivid portrait of the human condition. These stories, by turns heartbreaking, infuriating and moving, will enable readers to see migrants in a new way, as they come to know them not simply as a political issue but as human beings with rich and complicated lives—like all of us. Open this book and encounter some contemporary parables. And then let your heart be opened."—James Martin, SJ, author, Jesus: A Pilgrimage and Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone
"Voices of the Border springs from the exemplary witness and work of the binational Kino Border Initiative. The volume's insightful framing essays and testimonios contextualize the complex issue of migration, offer a powerful counternarrative to demonizing misconceptions, and—most significantly—center migrants' own voices. Its thematic approach and accessible prose make the dynamic and informative volume valuable for use with undergraduate and graduate courses, immersion trips, or civic and religious groups."—Kristin E. Heyer, professor of theological ethics and Joseph Chair in Theology, Boston College
"A moving portrayal of immigrant struggles, hopes, and determination. These powerful testimonios lift up the voices and stories of 'the forgotten people' demanding to be heard. A labor of love and social justice, the authors legitimize the lives lived while asking readers to engage in our shared humanity."—Susana Rivera-Mills, president, Aurora University
"Voices of the Border masterfully interweaves the powerful testimonios of migrants at the Sonora-Arizona border with the literatures on immigration, border enforcement, immigrant criminalization, and Latin American history. The editors and contributors place the humanity and dignity of the lives of those with whom they spoke at the forefront of the volume. Voices of the Border is a must-read for immigration scholars, activists, policymakers, and members of faith-based organizations."—Daniel E. Martínez, associate professor of sociology, distinguished scholar, and codirector of the Binational Migration Institute, University of Arizona
"In this must-read book, the voices of migrants provide an essential roadmap for change. This collection models a polyvocal commitment to social justice and presents an alternative path: by following the lead of those directly impacted, brutal US policies can be replaced with discourse and actions that ensure the dignity of all human beings."—Deborah A. Boehm, Foundation Professor of Anthropology and Gender, Race, and Identity, University of Nevada, Reno, author of Returned: Going and Coming in an Age of Deportation
About the Author
Tobin Hansen is an associate teaching professor of social science at the University of Oregon's Robert D. Clark Honors College and a cultural anthropologist who researches human population movements, state power, and social identities. He has been a volunteer at KBI since 2014.
María Engracia Robles Robles is a Missionary Sister of the Eucharist and feedback coordinator at KBI. She is the author of Las últimas serán las primeras: El discipulado de las mujeres en los Evangelios.
