Samaritans and ranchers: Voices of people who regularly meet migrants at U.S.-Mexico border

¿Necesita agua y comida? Do you need food and water?

It’s a question that Samaritan Volunteer Gail Kocourek repeats often as she travels along the U.S.-Mexico border carrying these very items — water, food, first aid supplies.

The Samaritan program has become deeply integrated into the mission and work of The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Arizona, where people have been going out into the desert to welcome migrants to their community and country for more than two decades. 

On Jan. 16-18, the church held its annual Common Ground on the Border event, where they hosted over 250 people from across the country for a time of learning and engagement. The experience includes field trips for immersion in the culture, life, and issues along the United States-Mexico border.

“It really is a very full experience, and people come away with a deep appreciation of not only the border, but also the situation along here that is causing so much suffering with the border,” said the Rev. Randy Mayer, lead pastor at Good Shepherd UCC and co-founder of the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans.

UCC News Video Journalist Bob Lormor attended the Common Ground on the Border event and documented several voices and experiences at the border.

Common Ground at the Border

One video story offers a short overview of the event with an introduction from Mayer. The next Common Ground on the Border gathering is planned to take place Jan. 15-17, 2026.

Giving voice to multiple perspectives

In a more in-depth video story, Lormor visits the border with volunteers of Tucson Samaritans and People Helping People – groups who organize humanitarian aid and crisis response for those traveling along the southern Arizona border. He also interviews a rancher who owns 50,000 acres near the border wall.

Their reflections depict multiple perspectives, and, as Samaritan Volunteer Miranda Haley describes, that issues along the border are not black and white — “There’s a lot of gray area.”

Mayer is available to contact with any questions.

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