El Paso pastors provide migrants with shelter and counsel – Spectrum News
EL PASO, Texas As changing policies, rampant misinformation and exasperated, fearful crowds converge in this desert city, faith leaders are striving to provide shelter and uplift.
Along with prayers, they are counseling migrants about the daunting challenges that await them on U.S. soil, with enormous backlogs in asylum hearings and the Biden administrations newly announced measures that many consider stricter than the existing ones known asTitle 42.
During Thursday morning Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a few blocks from the border with Mexico, the Rev. Daniel Mora prayed for goodwill in welcoming the crowds of migrants expected to arrive in the city and at the churchs gym-turned-shelter whenpandemic-era restrictions on asylum-seeking liftedovernight.
May the asylum promises of this country be renewed, Mora noted in the Mass intentions. In an office next to the historic sanctuary, one of his fellow Jesuits prepared to visit a shelter at a different El Paso parish to counsel migrants who already had crossed illegally and were detained.
One knows that that this is but one part, that were halfway on our way, said Tatiana Gamez, a Colombian mother who was released by immigration authorities to a small shelter run by the Catholic parish of St. Francis Xavier, just across from one of El Pasos three international bridges.
We dont know whats going to happen with asylum. But already to be here safe, its a relief, she added. She had been listening intently to one of the several daily legal talks that the Rev. Mike Gallagher, whos also an attorney with Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, gives newly released migrants.
Gamez and more than half a dozen family members, including a pregnant niece and the nieces 2-year-old daughter, decided to flee Colombia after being threatened over a piece of land they owned there.
They crossed illegally through a hole in the concertina wire that Texas National Guard soldiers laid out for 17 miles along the dusty Rio Grande riverbanks to prevent mass crossings whenTitle 42 was originally expected to be liftedin December.
We wanted to do things well, Gamez added in tears. But they saw more than 1,000 migrants lined up under the merciless sun and strong winds for a chance to be let in by U.S. officials, as has been happening for months.
Hearing that some migrants had slept out there for days under the constant threat of being kidnapped for ransom by Mexican cartels, and fearing a wave of rapid deportations starting Friday, they decided to slip through the hole and spent six days in detention before being released to the shelter.
Faith leaders said one reason for the big surge of migrants earlier this week was the widespread belief that the end of Title 42 restrictions would usher in more deportations of illegal migrants, who will now face a potential five-year ban from coming back to the U.S.
Trying to get in is their main priority, said Maria Sajquim de Torres, the domestic program director for Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, which also provides counselors in shelters so that migrants can begin to processthe traumas from rape to extortion most faced en route.
More than 1,000 migrants gathered outside the Sacred Heart shelter alone earlier this week. Authorities closed off the street in front of it last Sunday, fearing another deadly incident like the one wheremigrants were run over in Brownsville, Texas, Mora said.
Just a few milled about on Thursday, and the shelter whose maximum capacity is 140 and often has to turn away everyone except women with small children only hosted 89 migrants the previous night, Gallagher said.
He visits multiple shelters to explain to migrants who have been apprehended for crossing illegally the conditions of their release including the notice to appear in front of migration authorities and later before a judge to make their asylum case.
Some migrants have dates scheduled within a month of arrival in the cities where theyre hoping to go. Others have court appearances not scheduled until 2026 or beyond, since the asylum system is straining under historic backlogs.
Wearing a rosary like a necklace, Juaniela Castillo, a Venezuelan, listened intently as Gallagher deciphered her court date in June 2025 in Orlando, Florida, where she hopes to reach a family member.
She will need to find legal help to file an asylum application well before then within a year or shell lose this temporary relief shes been granted from deportation, Gallagher told her.
With her three children, ages 8, 7 and 3, she traveled through the notoriously dangerous Darien jungle in Panama. After two months on the road, she also passed through a gap in the wall near El Paso and was detained for six days before being released to the St. Francis Xavier shelter.
I still dont believe it, she said as her children smiled at the pigeons cooing in the shelters small, shaded patio. I never lost the faith, never, but one is like adrift, dependent on God.
In a hall set up with cots and tables, Susie Roman, a volunteer at shelter, said she noticed how confused migrants have been by changing policies, and feared the consequences of the latest switch.
Im scared theyre all going to be out there, and we cant help them, she said.
More here:
El Paso pastors provide migrants with shelter and counsel - Spectrum News
- Two Illegal Aliens with Lengthy Criminal Backgrounds Suspected in NYC Shooting - Federation for American Immigration Reform - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Calif. college to permit criticism of men in womens sports, illegal immigration to settle free speech suit - The College Fix - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Nationwide protests begin against Trumps illegal immigration crackdown, health care cuts - WKMG - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Federal agents conduct illegal-immigration hiring raid at northern AZ BBQ chain - The Arizona Republic - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Fmr Biden adviser roasted over NYT illegal immigration op-ed | RISING - The Hill - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- He opposes illegal immigration, but Gely won his heart - The Seattle Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration is causing uncertainty, ex-DNC official says - Fox News - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- ICE Del Rio, federal partner investigation results in the sentencing of an illegal alien from Honduras for his role in an alien smuggling conspiracy -... - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Floridas Bid To Criminalize Illegal Immigration Entry Blocked By Supreme Court, For Now - Tampa Free Press - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- DHS, DOJ Streamline Process for Issuing Fines to Illegal Aliens - Federation for American Immigration Reform - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- He Opposes Illegal Immigration, but Gely Won His Heart - The New York Times - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Wave Of Illegal Immigration Cases Hits Texas, Over 300 Filed In One Week - Yahoo - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Court sees uptick in illegal immigration prosecutions: 'No one feels good in the courtroom.' - Buffalo News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Jerry Shenk: Illegal immigration: Look for the political interest - pottsmerc.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- 'A Horrific Moral Failure': Campaigner Slams Labour And Tories Over Illegal Immigration - Yahoo - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Trump's remittance tax aims to slow illegal immigration by targeting the money flow - Fox News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- San Antonio man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for transporting 25 illegal aliens inside tanker trailer following ICE Eagle Pass, federal... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Donald Trump shatters more border records with lowest illegal immigration numbers - Washington Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- We need cooperation between federal and state governments in stopping illegal immigration, expert says - Fox Business - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Weber County OKs accord with feds to help in the fight against illegal immigration - KSL News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Trumps remittance tax aims to slow illegal immigration by targeting the money flow - wccsradio.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Weber County OKs accord with feds to help in the fight against illegal immigration - Yahoo News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Social Security insolvency could speed up with illegal immigration crackdown - Fox Business - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Not really our issue: Gulf Shores mayor speaks on illegal immigration raid - fox10tv.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Social Security insolvency could speed up with illegal immigration crackdown - MSN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- HSI and FBI speak on illegal immigration raid at Gulf Shores High School - fox10tv.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Parents share story of loss, fight against illegal immigration at The White House - WCIA.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- HSI speaks on Gulf Shores High School illegal immigration raid - WBRC 6 News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Americans more concerned about nuclear Iran than illegal immigration, survey finds - Defense One - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson talks illegal immigration in Tampa - WMNF 88.5 FM - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- ICE and federal partners arrest 17 illegal aliens during worksite inspection in Bethlehem, Pa. - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- China ready to fight fentanyl, illegal immigration with US: top police chief - South China Morning Post - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Newark, law enforcement partners arrest illegal alien in New Jersey with extensive criminal history - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE arrests 81 illegal aliens as part of joint federal law enforcement operation in Kentucky, of which 25 also charged with felony criminal offenses -... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Columbus and US Marshals arrest Ecuadorian illegal alien wanted for murder - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- The rule of law and the crisis of illegal immigration - Christian Post - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Philadelphia supports large effort to remove more than 130 illegal aliens from central Asia - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ICE Buffalo removes 2 criminal illegal aliens and foreign fugitives wanted for felonies in home country to Guatemala - ICE | U.S. Immigration and... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Chairman Arrington Responds to CBO Report on Net Cost of Illegal Immigration - House Budget Committee (.gov) - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Under Patel, FBI heightens focus on violent crime, illegal immigration. Other threats abound, too - AP News - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Illegal Aliens Use Far More Taxpayer Funds Than They Contribute, CBO Confirms - Federation for American Immigration Reform - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Illegal Immigration, Lawlessness, And The Lefts America - The Daily Wire - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Under Patel, FBI heightens focus on violent crime, illegal immigration. Other threats abound, too - WPLG Local 10 - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Sunny Hostin insists its 'not illegal' to be undocumented during immigration discussion on 'The View' - Fox News - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Will Illegal Immigration Break the Nation Apart? - The Free Press - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Howie Carr: Jailhouse letter speaks volumes on illegal immigration - Boston Herald - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Mexican illegal alien sentenced to 11 years for smuggling 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine in truckload of cabbages following ICE Rio Grande Valley,... - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- South Texas stash house discovered by ICE Rio Grande Valley leads to the arrest of 16 illegal aliens - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump admin expanding border wall construction amid crackdown on illegal immigration - Fox News - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trump might become the most pro-illegal immigration president ever - The Washington Post - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Massive Scale of Chinese Illegal Immigration Threatens National Security - America First Policy Institute - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Emotions over Bostons illegal immigration protections boil over at mayoral debate - Boston Herald - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Tennessee rep says Nashville mayor's ICE policies amount to 'aiding and abetting illegal immigration' - Fox News - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Illegal immigration and asylum: are government pledges on track? - BBC - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Rokita touts work opposing illegal immigration in trip to southern U.S. border - WFYI - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Growing concern over massive growth in illegal immigration to the Balearics in "little boats" from North Africa - Majorca Daily Bulletin - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Visa Overstays Now Drive 40% of Illegal Immigration as Indians with American Assets Face Costly Return Decisions - USA Herald - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Arizona border, once the busiest in the nation for illegal immigration, goes quiet - The Arizona Republic - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- House sends anti-illegal immigration bill to Ivey's desk, another to the Senate - 1819 News - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Illegal immigration, cockfighting arrests made in South Mississippi ICE bust - Yahoo - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Florida Gov DeSantis tangles with reporter over illegal immigration, tells her 'you seem to have no sympathy' - Fox News - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Florida Gov DeSantis tangles with reporter over illegal immigration, tells her you seem to have no sympathy - WFIN - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- ICE and U.S. Border Patrol assist in local sex crime investigation involving previously deported illegal alien - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- White House touts 100-day illegal immigration crackdown after Biden 'unsecured the border on purpose' - Fox News - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- In a first-of-its-kind partnership between state and federal partners, ICE Miami and Florida law enforcement arrested nearly 800 illegal aliens this... - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- More than 990 Illegal Aliens Charged with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Fourth Week in April - Texas Border Business - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Rep. Wilson urges people to call, threaten lawmakers over uptick in illegal immigration detentions - Fox News - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Why is the Church advocating illegal immigration? - Amityville Record - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Why sheriffs across Ohio are joining ICE in crackdown on illegal immigration - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Rachel Reeves must combine EU deals with cutting illegal immigration - The Times - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- The Washington Post Needs to Get its Facts Straight Regarding Illegal Aliens and Social Security - Federation for American Immigration Reform - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- 960 Illegal Aliens Charged with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Fourth Week in March - Texas Border Business - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Mayor Donna Deegan and others speak at press conference concerning Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Act - The Florida Times-Union - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- 960 Illegal Aliens Charged With Immigration-Related Crimes In A Week - RTTNews - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Erdogans Turkey is Weaponizing Illegal Immigration Europe Must Wake Up - The Times of Israel - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- U.S. Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Follow the Law and You Will Find Opportunity - US Embassy in Montenegro - USEmbassy.gov - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Deegan says she is reviewing illegal immigration bill before signing it. But councilman says shes making excuses - WJXT News4JAX - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Labour has changed precisely nothing on illegal immigration - The Telegraph - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Cleveland attorney says green card application pause 'has nothing to do with illegal immigration' - ideastream - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Sanders recognizes Trumps efforts on border, fentanyl: Nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate - The Hill - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]