He personally traveled to the border at Hendaye to ensure refugees were allowed through.

Mendes chose to follow his conscience over his career, declaring, "I would rather stand with God against Man than with Man against God." The Visa Factory

He was recalled to Lisbon, stripped of his diplomatic rank, and denied his pension. Legacy of Honor

In 2021, he was granted a monument in Lisbon’s National Pantheon.

It took until the late 1980s for the Portuguese government to officially restore his name.

Thousands were trapped in Bordeaux as the German army approached.

If you’d like to explore more about this historical figure: (Portuguese cinema) Specific survivor stories Museums and memorials in Portugal or France

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