Chapter 4 How do the local bishop and priests protect the migrants?

The Church is also active in protecting migrants from police abuse in Veracruz. Nazario tells how migrants often claim sanctuary in churches, and how priests facilitate releases if they are arrested nearby. One town turned its church into a permanent sanctuary and shelter. Another church, Maria Auxiliadora, allows migrants to stay in the courtyard where they are served daily meals. For over two decades, the church members and priests of Veracruz have fought for the rights of the migrants, holding public protests outside of any hospital that allows la migra to deport injured migrants before they are healed.