Good afternoon,

In August, I was able to visit the U.S.-Mexico border while helping facilitate a graduate course for faith and community leaders. We visited migrants and community volunteers on both sides of the border, El Paso, Texas and Juárez, learning from various presentations to help us better understand the current legal process, law enforcement, and narratives around the migrant crisis.

In Juárez, while visiting a migrant shelter and getting to meet the people staying there, our group was able to hear why these families were seeking entry to the United States. We heard stories about family members they were looking forward to seeing again, jobs they had lined up, skills they were hoping to bring to the U.S., and their dreams for a better future. It was an oasis of joy and hope in the heat of the desert and the waiting.

In El Paso, we heard the many heart-breaking reasons people had for leaving their home countries while spending an afternoon in an immigration court, where the quiet solemnity of the courtroom and the seriousness of the proceedings highlighted the challenge that people face on both sides of the border. The judge we observed was noteworthy in the El Paso court system because her denial rate was just under 70%, contrasting with the over 90% denial rate of the other judges. Following our crash-course in immigration law, it was surprising how easy it was to follow the proceedings; we were able to see how quickly changes to immigration policies affect the court proceedings and relief given to those seeking shelter.

As we volunteered at the Casa del Sagrado Corazón, a migrant shelter in El Paso, we were able to experience some people’s first moments of welcome after being granted entry. The welcome was emotional, as they were told, "Bienvenido. ¡Estás libre!" Welcome. You’re free! Tears often followed. The relief in finding safety, however temporary, was palpable. So many had dire reasons that led them to leave the homes and communities they had known and seek entry into the U.S. As for our group, we were gifted with new reasons to work for the immigration reform our country and neighbors desperately need – as well as many reasons to hope.

Narratives and headlines shape public imagination on immigration, but in the shelters, courtrooms, and our own communities are the beating hearts of our immigrant neighbors, full of aspirations, hopes, dreams, and gifts to offer. In our own states, assisting in opening avenues for refugee resettlement can bring us close enough to hear the life-giving stories of our immigrant neighbors. Advocating for meaningful reforms in our immigration system directly affects those who need it most. If Congress would act to find a bipartisan legislative solution for the border, to help the overwhelmed judges and years-long backlog of cases, it would go a long way. I know coming back from the border that I will not make them wait on me to do what I can to better advocate for positive change.

Stay hopeful and committed,

Patrick    

Patrick Taylor
BBB Mobilizer for South Carolina
National Immigration Forum 

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

FORBES: Looming government shut down could impact immigration cases

CBS NEWS: U.S. aims to resettle up to 50,000 refugees from Latin America in 2024 under Biden plan

AP: Mexico pledges to set up checkpoints to ‘dissuade’ migrants from hopping freight trains to US border

CNN: The number of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border is likely to keep growing. Here are 3 reasons why

NBC NEWS: Whistleblowers say U.S. government’s poor oversight may have led to migrant kids’ working in unsafe and illegal jobs

NPR: Biden extends Temporary Protected Status to nearly 400,000 Venezuelan Migrants