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NOGALES, Son. (ArizonaNewsService.com) – Juan Francisco Loureido and his wife, Hilda Irene, close the doors of their Nogales, Sonora, shoe shop each night and open up their migrant shelter.

The couple has operated the Albergue San Juan Bosco, a shelter for those in need, for 27 years, never closing a day.

“We can’t close it," Hilda Irene said in Spanish inside the shoe shop. “If we close it one night we will have left those who needed a place to stay out on their own.”

The shelter sits atop a hill near downtown Nogales, overlooking the surrounding city. Although the shelter is primarily for those recently deported from the United States or those traveling north through Nogales, anyone in need of a place to stay is welcome.

“We wanted to find a way to help those we felt needed assistance the most,” said Juan Francisco. “Because of our proximity to the border, the group with the biggest need is the migrants.”

Hilda Irene added: "Migrants are guaranteed at least three days of shelter, medical care, clothing and food but could stay longer. Considering the circumstances, we will help as long as they need it.” 
The shelter began by accommodating small numbers of people, only about 30 to 50 each day, said Hilda Irene. Today, however, the numbers are much higher, and they reach 200 to 250 people at times.

Some of the profits from the shoe shop and donations help support the shelter.

The work of the Loureidos is truly a family affair.

“Our kids grew up working in the Albergue,” Juan Francisco said. “They grew older, went to college, married, had kids and now they are back helping us with our work.”

Alma Cota de Yanez, executive director of the Fundacion del Empressario Sonorense, a foundation in Nogales, Sonora, that supports community organizations like the shelter, said the work of the Albergue San Juan Bosco is indispensable.

“It’s a 9-1-1 call for those who have nothing else,” she said in Spanish.“It is a last resort.”

Cruz Bersian Moguel found himself at the Albergue when he was deported for the second time after living in the U.S. for nine years. He said the Albergue is a safe haven for those living in the harsh reality of life as a migrant.

“They treat us like animals when we are caught,” Moguel said of the U.S. Border Patrol agents. He did not speak English. “I tried to tell them we are all brothers — I come to work and nothing more.”

Mario Fabian, who lived in Phoenix before being deported, said he learned of the Albergue by asking other migrants about a place to stay. He plans to stay at the shelter before returning home.

“I think I am just going to go back home (Mexico City),” Fabian said in Spanish. “I would like to return to my family.” 
Juan Francisco said the shelter’s work will go on until a solution to the problem of illegal immigration is found. 
“After I die, the shelter will keep going,” he said. “No matter what happens, this work will continue.”