INSIDER
Nonprofits not equipped for a spike in border crossing, prepares for a change in weather
Read full article: Nonprofits not equipped for a spike in border crossing, prepares for a change in weatherThe cold weather concerns migrants lining up to seek asylum at the border. Some are seen wrapped up in blankets as they wait to cross into El Paso. The same concern is also happening in Del Rio.
Del Rio faith-based community lending a hand to Haitians in need
Read full article: Del Rio faith-based community lending a hand to Haitians in needThe faith-based community in Del Rio has helped more than its share of immigrants from Mexico and Central America, but the thousands of arrivals from Haiti were a first.
Mennonite Church helps two-year separation come to an end for sisters seeking asylum in the US
Read full article: Mennonite Church helps two-year separation come to an end for sisters seeking asylum in the USSAN ANTONIO ā Even the day after two sisters from Honduras were reunited in San Antonio, seeing the joy and relief in their faces was ājust beautiful,ā said Pastor Katie Best-Richmond of the San Antonio Mennonite Church. Up until then, she said, āWeāve all been nervous and scared.āRosa and her younger sister, Maritza, had not seen each other in two years. Yet, somehow, Maritza was able to quickly apply for asylum at the border and was released only about a day later. She said, given the sisters were reunited this week even as the influx at the border continues, āIt is a miracle. āThey are just absolute joys, and they are so kind and loving to everyone that they meet,ā Best-Richmond said.
Fact-checking Gov. Abbottās claim of migrants entering Texas border cities with virus
Read full article: Fact-checking Gov. Abbottās claim of migrants entering Texas border cities with virusāThey cannot cross the border without having a negative test result,ā Romero said. The other group is people who crossed the border illegally and are dropped off by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the catch-and-release program. Of those tests, 169, or just over 13%, tested positive, but thatās just for the city of Brownsville. Romero said local non-governmental organizations have set up shelters and hotel rooms for those who test positive to stay in and quarantine if they choose to. Romero said the city received 10,000 Rapid COVID-19 tests from the Texas Department of Emergency Management to facilitate the process.
Local pastor: Refugees are not asylum seekers
Read full article: Local pastor: Refugees are not asylum seekersGreg Abbott announced Texas would be the first state to reject the resettlement of refugees, a federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trumpās executive order allowing state and local governments to do exactly that. Greg Abbott, a Catholic, draws criticism over new refugee ban from Texasā Catholic BishopsGavin Rogers, associate pastor of Travis Park Church, said heās hopeful, but itās important the courts understand refugees are not asylum seekers. Then, Rogers said, the refugees are matched with nonprofits, many of them faith-based, that help them make the transition once they arrive. āThe resettlement program is the best way you can possibly seek migration,ā Rogers said. As a result, Rogers said many migrants who converged on the border last year had to apply for asylum because they couldnāt enter as refugees.