"[S]hort, beautiful and perceptive...captures the courage and solidarity so fundamental to migrant inclusion." Jacqueline Bhabha, Prof. Health & Human Rights, Harvard Univ.

The idea for ABBA began when Ignacio and his family would take food to migrants jumping freight trains. Some were sick and there was nowhere to wash or sleep. They were fleeing from gang violence, abject poverty, and the effects of climate change in countries like El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala—desperately searching for a place where they could care for their children in safety. In response, Ignacio founded ABBA, a place where the migrants could rest, receive food, and seek medical and psychological help. ABBA is also the only shelter in Mexico that cares for amputees whose injuries were sustained in falls while riding the trains ("La Bestia") north into Mexico.

Now, ABBA has been donated land upon which to build Ignacio's vision: a sanctuary for injured migrants which, in addition to providing therapy and education, will have a cultural and human rights center. Under his inspirational care, migrants are treated as human beings with dignity. In this world of nationalism and xenophobia, Ignacio's work is vitally important.



Grade Level: 10-12, College, Adults
US Release Date: 2024     Copyright Date: 2023
DVD ISBN: 1-961192-23-3

Reviews "Simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, Where Can We Live in Peace offers viewers an intimate primer regarding our continuing global migration crises. This beautifully and boldly shot film draws focused attention on a few brave victims as examples of the massive numbers on the move. Throughout the tragic tales told are glimmers of hope, and the strength of the human spirit shines. Where Can We Live in Peace should be required viewing for all those running - and voting - in the upcoming U.S. presidential election." Peter Laufer, Professor of Journalism, founding Co-director, UNESCO Crossings Institute, University of Oregon, Author, Up Against the Wall: The Case for Opening the Mexican-American Border "At a time when government officials and politicians villainized poor migrant families as dangerous invaders comes the film Where Can We Live in Peace to show us the true face and dignity of this suffering humanity. The film takes the viewer to the heart of migrant desperation to survive the journey north, sometimes at the highest cost. A must-see film for school classes learning about the migration crisis." Nestor Rodriguez, Professor of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, Co-author, Guatemala-U.S. Migration: Transforming Regions "Where Can We Live in Peace is a powerful and compelling documentary that draws us emotionally into the treacherous and dangerous journey of migrants...Their testimonials of despair and hopelessness are heart wrenching, but their suffering and gloom are mitigated by pastor Ignacio Martínez, founder of ABBA, a safe haven for them. Ignacio Martínez's commentary throughout the film on the migrant crisis is insightful, informative, profound, and deeply empathetic. His noble work is remarkable and inspirational. This timely and gripping documentary should be seen widely, especially by high school and college and university students and policy makers." Francisco Jiménez, Emeritus Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures, Santa Clara University, Author, The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child and Taking Hold: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University "This short, beautiful and perceptive film captures the courage and solidarity so fundamental to migrant inclusion. It zooms in on blistered feet and resolute smiles, on the determination that fuels arduous journeys and the compassion that drives deep empathy for others, on the hateful racism pouring forth from some leaders and the oppressive policies that ensue as a consequence. Where Can We Live In Peace drives home in simple and stark terms the imperative of leaning in to jointly build inclusive communities so all can flourish as they deserve to." Jacqueline Bhabha, Professor of Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Author, Can We Solve the Migration Crisis? "Judy Jackson's poignant documentary of Padre Ignacio's selfless work at the Mexican ABBA shelter for refugees and migrants offers a powerful, compassionate, and humanizing portrayal of the Central Americans who risk their lives to escape violence, poverty, and climate catastrophe. It effectively renders absurd the negative stereotypes and highlights humane alternatives to understanding and helping migrants." Walter E. Little, Professor of Anthropology and Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies, University at Albany-SUNY "It sometimes seems that 'in this world there is no place for the poor,' especially for migrants undertaking a very dangerous - and sometimes tragic - journey towards a better life. But there are indeed wonderful people like Pastor Ignacio Ramirez, who believe that migrants have the right to 'live in peace.' Judy Jackson's new documentary depicts a set of intertwined stories of tragedy, hope and solidarity at the ABBA migrant shelter in Celaya, Guanajuato, one of the most dangerous regions of Mexico. It is a must-watch film." Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, Professor of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Co-author, Frontera: A Journey across the US-Mexico Border "Where Can We Live In Peace vividly depicts the resilience of Central American migrants traversing Mexico, the power of faith-based civil society, and the solidarity of ex-pats to build a migrant shelter as an oasis for injured migrants in Guanajuato, Mexico. The ABBA migrant shelter's goal is to teach migrants how to claim their human rights, become self-sufficient, and regain their dignity and humanity. This film offers a good example of how to support the mental and physical health of highly vulnerable transit migrants in a comprehensive and culturally relevant way." Xóchitl Bada, Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies, University of Illinois - Chicago "Where Can We Live in Peace is an up-close perspective on the migrant journey from inside a humanitarian shelter in Celaya, Mexico. There, the vortices of everything that propels migration collide with people's reclaiming of their ordinary humanity and dignity, a juxtaposition that produces a truth so searing it penetrates into your soul. The film shows how the border 'crisis' is really a crisis of policy, one that has turned migration into a lucrative vehicle for organized crime, with harrowing consequences for those simply seeking to live in peace. Everyone should see this film." Elizabeth Oglesby, Associate Professor of Latin American Studies and Geography, University of Arizona