Throughout the story, Enrique describes countless people that help him along his journey to the United States. A great number of citizens risk their own protection to support immigrants that they don't even know, including Enrique. Shortly after Enrique passes through the most dangerous portion of his trek, the Chiapas, he meets a variety of generous people in Veracruz. He hears stories of their generosity towards migrants including a man from Encinar who managed to save a Honduran immigrant from the police. The immigrant was just leaving the man's home, when the police car drove by. The man, named Bréniz, pulled the immigrant back inside for safety, but was confronted by the police at his doorstep. They threatened to turn Bréniz in for being a smuggler. Nazario narrates, "The police had pistols and machine guns. Bréniz knew that people charged with smuggling can spend years in jail... He politely declined and said there was no reason to turn the man over. He told them the visitor was a relative from an outlying farm. The police retreated. He let the migrant stay for an hour, until he was sure the coast was clear" (117). Despite consequences, this man faced the brutal police for a stranger that could have cost him time in jail. Even though he was terrified inside, he was able to convince the police they were mistaken. Leaders such as Bréniz who risk their own security for others' safety are incredibly admirable to me. I think the greatest heroes are those who put others before themselves in this way. Leaders appear throughout history who display acts of bravery such as this. Are there any figures from history or everyday people you know and admire that have shown this much courage for the sake of others?
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