TEXAS – A woman from Bryan, Texas, is hitting the road to help immigrants seeking asylum find a place to call home.
The story begins four years ago when Debra Ruiz offered help to a migrant. The person desperately needed a ride for his immigration court hearing in San Antonio.
Without hesitation Ruiz drove the man two hours away to make it to court on time. Since then, she has befriended and given rides to at least 25 immigrants.
Ruiz said she does this to give back to the community.
"This is what I do. I take them to court and sit in court with them to make sure they are treated right," Ruiz said.
Spectrum News reporter John Salazar met Ruiz while she was sitting in court with a man in his 20s from Nepal. He asked to remain anonymous as he requests asylum from the U.S.
Ruiz has driven migrants to courts in Dallas, Houston and Austin. She has helped people from Nepal, China, Mexico, Central America and many more.
"From the border, from Laredo, I have them all around me. But they are my family," said Ruiz. “I don't know their language but they are kind."
Ruiz said she wishes more Americans would get to know people from other countries. She said changing attitudes about immigrants will positively affect the border debate.
CONTINUING COVERAGE: