Shelters in the United States are being hit with a surge of Central American migrants seeking refuge. Nonprofit groups and churches along the U.S.-Mexico border are racing to collect clothes, diapers, cots, and meals for migrants—even as the holidays approach and resources dwindle.
From San Diego to South Texas, an influx of immigrants is straining the ability of shelters to help and house them. In some cases, shelters are surprised by busloads of migrants at their front doors. One temporary shelter in San Diego has housed more than 1,500 asylum seekers since opening in October.
Church leaders in Phoenix say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released about 5,000 migrants in the last two months to local churches there. They’ve had to scramble to find supplies—a tall order even though most of the migrants leave within a day or two.
Sylvia Corona, a volunteer shelter coordinator, believes the demand will continue to grow in the coming weeks. “I think we’re going to see hundreds of families needing places to stay,” she says. “We’re opening up two more shelters soon. We’re letting them stay in our own homes if we have to, but we’ll find something.”
In the meantime, some groups have set up Amazon.com registries to help with donations like baby clothes, paper plates, and coats. One immigrant shelter in El Paso, Texas, is asking for packets of underwear and socks.
In a shelter in New Mexico, Juan Jose says he’s headed to Alabama to join his brother. “At least tonight, I get to take a shower,” he says. His five-month-old daughter falls asleep in his arms as the two lie on a cot. She begins to snore. “Well,” he says, “maybe I won’t.”
Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. —Matthew 25:40
(A migrant family from Central America waits outside a shelter in El Paso, Texas. AP Photo)
