Although there has been a considerable decrease in migrants crossing into the United States (US) illegally, there are those who continue to risk everything to seek better life opportunities for themselves and their families. Those who arrive in El Paso, Texas, and do not have support for shelter and food, go to shelters, almost always Catholic churches, in search of protection.
“More than 90% of Venezuela,” says Rafael García, father of the Sacred Heart church, who adapted the temple’s basketball court to receive hundreds of migrants who spent the night on the streets of Texas. He adds that there were also citizens “from Colombia, Ecuador, Central America” and that single people, pregnant women and entire families come to the place; “a very large variety,” but the shelter did not fit everyone and sometimes women and children had to be given priority.
García summarizes the experiences and obstacles of the hikers and although he says that many arrive traumatized from the journey through the Darién jungle after seeing dead people on the route and the difficulty of the terrain, he asserts, citing the immigrants, “worse than the Darién is.” go through Mexico due to assaults, extortions, kidnappings.
The priest, of Cuban origin and who years ago also swelled the numbers of migrants, explains that the situation and dynamics of the different countries that push their nationals to flee are very complex and varied and cannot be included in a generality: “What we hear most is the reality of Venezuela, above all, cases of political persecution for not being in favor of the system, people who are watched or threatened, economic crisis and extortion,” he emphasizes and adds that Colombians are fleeing in the present from guerrilla warfare and violence, that other immigrants escape corruption, organized crime or extreme poverty.
More opinions
In the opinion of Father Rafael García, “psychosocial help and emotional support for migrants has to be stronger in the cities of final destination” by the authorities to cooperate with the well-being and mental health of those who have been there for weeks and even months walking north, facing various difficulties in search of the American dream. He says that in the church they are given “temporary emergency help; It is a bit of healing the wound, quickly, so that they can continue”, since less than 1% of the walkers remain in El Paso due to the difficulty of finding a job and earning some money.
The father says that there are many churches, even non-Catholic, and other organizations around the United States that provide support and advice to migrants who arrive in vulnerable conditions. They are offered shelter, food, clothing, emergencies in the event of health difficulties, advice with immigration lawyers, “we do what we can,” he says.
Those who arrive through CBP One at the Sacred Heart Church are guided to fill out forms and apply for a work permit and then obtain a job. “Venezuelans in particular come wanting to work because they are professionals, people who had businesses, and the US needs workers,” details the religious.
In these facilities, the immigrants received three meals a day, clothing, access to showers, medicine, the children played, there was psychological care, English classes, and at night each one took a mat to sleep in a safe space.
When the number of migrants exceeded the capacity of the shelter, many, even thousands, improvised mats around the temple because they said they felt safer in that space.
The Sacred Heart shelter in Texas closed its doors last October due to the decrease in the arrival of migrants, after President Joe Biden issued the order in June that restricts entry, asylum of undocumented immigrants and accelerates deportations. . The last two migrants the shelter received were Venezuelans.
Priest Rafael García remembers that there were two years of uninterrupted care for thousands of migrants and although the doors of the shelter are currently closed, the church is still willing to provide help to whoever needs it.
Fear and hunger
“I’m afraid and I’m hungry” are the main reasons citizens give for migrating to Rubén García, priest and director of the Casa de la Anunciación shelter, also located in El Paso. He says that these causes have continued throughout the 47 years that the center has been in operation.
He recalls the case of a mother who came to the United States from Guatemala, with several children, fleeing poverty, and the 18-month-old baby was already on the verge of dying from malnutrition, but he also indicates that poverty and hunger are not reasons to grant asylum.
This is an NGO that in total has five different shelters under the same management and coordinates many other shelters for migrants from other Catholic churches. A few months ago, at the height of migration, the House of the Annunciation received 150,000 migrants, but since it opened its doors, García affirms that they have served “about two million refugees.”
García explains that Venezuelan citizens began to arrive between 2021 and 2022: “Maduro does not guarantee anything to Venezuelans and that is when they began to leave,” he maintains and reiterates that this community has no one to receive them and that is why They ended up sleeping on the street.
«Everyone knows that Maduro did not win the election, but who is going to do something? And if you are Venezuelan, you have to flee and come knock on the door at the House of the Annunciation; “But there is no mechanism to put pressure on Venezuela so that Maduro is thrown out and Venezuela starts working,” explains priest Rubén García about the complicated situation of this nation.
Currently, the House of the Annunciation only has about 25 migrants and they all receive food, medical care with volunteers who study medicine, sleeping mats and advice to continue their migratory journey.
complicated work
However, for this organization the work has not been easy, as it has a lawsuit from the Attorney General of the state of Texas, Ken Paxton, after accusing it of “trafficking and managing ‘safe houses’ (place where migrants are kidnapped)”; That is to say, the official says that this refuge facilitates illegal migration and human smuggling.
But the resolution of the lawsuit is still awaited, District Judge Francisco Domínguez issued an order that blocked the summons of prosecutor Paxton to the Annunciation House, alleging that it seemed that the prosecutor’s motive is political; After this, the case went to the state court system.
According to priest García, the objective of this official is to close the House of the Annunciation and warn the other shelters to stop their humanitarian work; However, this shelter remains operational. In his defense and the organization, the father affirms that his work “comes from faith” and the feeling of the gospel of “welcoming one’s neighbor,” those most in need.
In this area, due to its characteristics, there are shelters from Catholic and Christian churches, as well as from the local and regional government to serve the migrants who arrive daily.
As of August of this year, Border Patrol officials detained more than 243,000 migrants who crossed illegally into the United States through El Paso, Texas. This is the second most important border city after San Diego, exactly adjacent to Ciudad Juárez, in the state of Chihuahua. In this region is the Rio Grande, which forms a natural barrier between the two countries. The crossing through El Paso is dangerous due to the combination of natural and security challenges, but it is the area chosen by thousands of migrants or to which they are sent by criminal organizations that traffic people with the aspiration of the American dream.
Unattractive space
Economically, El Paso is not an attractive place for migrants because the average wage tends to be lower than in the rest of the country: migrants can earn about $12 an hour; while in other states, the average minimum wage is $17.55 per hour and in others it can exceed $19 per hour.
This is a Spanish-speaking community that can facilitate temporary adaptation for migrants seeking to settle, but the majority, who are looking for better life opportunities, prefer to go to other cities.
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**Interview with Father Rafael García, Sacred Heart Church, El Paso, Texas**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Father García. You’ve spent considerable time assisting migrants at your shelter. Can you describe the current situation regarding the influx of migrants arriving in El Paso?
**Father García:** Thank you for having me. The situation has indeed changed; although the number of migrants crossing into the U.S. illegally has decreased, many still risk everything for a better life. We see a diverse group here at Sacred Heart—from Venezuelans to Colombians and others fleeing violence, economic hardship, and political persecution.
**Editor:** You mentioned a variety of nationalities. What specific challenges are many of these migrants facing upon their arrival?
**Father García:** Most come traumatized, especially those who have traveled through the Darién jungle, where the terrain is treacherous and they witness horrific things. But, as many have told me, the journey through Mexico is often even worse due to assault, extortion, and kidnapping.
**Editor:** That sounds incredibly challenging. You provide them with shelter and support, but the needs are immense. What do you feel are the most critical forms of assistance required?
**Father García:** Psychosocial help and emotional support are vital. Many of these individuals have been on the road for weeks or months, and they need more than just food and shelter. We provide temporary emergency relief, but it’s crucial that authorities in destination cities strengthen support systems to ensure their mental well-being.
**Editor:** Your shelter has temporarily closed due to decreased migrant arrivals. How have your services adapted during this time?
**Father García:** While we may not be receiving as many migrants currently, our commitment remains. We are still here to assist anyone in need. We’ve been able to transition our resources and focus on ensuring that those who do arrive are well-supported, providing meals, medical care, and guidance on employment.
**Editor:** You have been a voice for those escaping oppression and violence. What message do you have for those who misunderstand the motivations behind migration?
**Father García:** I urge people to understand the complex factors driving migration. Many Venezuelans, for example, are fleeing a dire situation under a regime that offers them little hope. It’s vital to approach these stories with compassion and empathy, recognizing that behind every statistic is a human life in search of safety and opportunity.
**Editor:** Thank you, Father García, for your insights and the valuable work you are doing. It’s important that we continue to spotlight these experiences to foster understanding and support for those in need.
