HOUSTON - Ana Ulloa Romero and her two younger children reached their arms over the car tire supporting them as they propelled themselves through the murky Rio Grande toward the hope of something better. Debris and water started filling the tire, pulling them downward and scaring the younger ones, whom Romero comforted with quick prayers. Please God, protect my family. Somewhere in the desert expanse ahead of them, Romero's husband, Oscar, was crossing with "coyotes," human smugglers. She would learn later how the so-called safe house became a torture chamber where the coyotes beat the men and raped the women; how he was often forced to watch, and tried to mentally escape with prayers of his...
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