He thought he did his time. Until he got home.

A small town in Texas surrounded by desert which, time and again as the day breaks, disgorges an increasing number of Mexicans who have either been murdered or have died of thirst. A convict (Forest Whitaker) is released from prison. Thanks to his new-found Muslim faith, William Garnetts behaviour has been exemplary and, with the aid of a sympathetic parole officer (Brenda Blethyn), he begins a new life in the town. But his past is well-known and before long, a sheriff (Harvey Keitel) bent on revenge and an ex-crony from the underworld are both breathing down his neck.