Going beyond the headlines to experience the border ourselves.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

 

 

 

**B Stands for Balance**

Good afternoon,

Last week, members of the Forum's Field and Policy teams experienced
the border at El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. We learned from
stakeholders on both sides of the border about their work with migrants
and asylum-seekers.

In El Paso, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents spoke about the
importance of keeping the border safe and ensuring that all migrants are
treated with dignity and respect. To achieve these goals, the right
balance of infrastructure, technology and personnel at the border is
needed. The agents told us the hardest part of the job is working with
vulnerable families and children who risk their lives to cross the
border. There are concerns about migrants falling prey to human
trafficking schemes from smugglers. Border Patrol agents spend a
significant part of their time rescuing migrants who are in crisis along
the border. They are constantly required to adjust their tactics to
respond to both changes in policy and migration patterns. These agents
are an integral part of how DHS controls the ebbs and flows of migration
into our country.

Across the border, we heard from representatives at the State Population
Council (COESPO), a Chihuahua state agency. Part of COESPO's work
focuses on migrant reception. In collaboration with other state offices,
international organizations and the United Nations, COESPO coordinates
intake and care for deportees and asylum-seekers in Juárez. Notably,
approximately 60% of the population in COESPO's shelter networks are
Mexican nationals who have fled horrific conditions in their home
regions. COESPO's engagement in Chihuahua has improved the quality of
life for migrants in the region, particularly in comparison to other
Mexican border states.

We also visited two migrant shelters: one in Juárez and one in El Paso.
Pastor Juan Fierro García runs Templo El Buen Pastor, one of 21
shelters in Juárez registered with COESPO. At first only for single
adults, the shelter began caring for families in 2019 and has since
tripled its capacity. Many of the families at the shelter are mixed
status and include children with U.S. citizenship. In some cases,
parents have sent their children to make the dangerous journey alone,
with the hope that their children will be allowed into the U.S.
According to Pastor García, factors driving these families to the
border include violence, climate change, and poor economies.
Misinformation about the openness of the border and rumors started by
smugglers also contribute to the influx of migrants.

On the U.S. side of the border, the Scotsdale Baptist Church has
converted much of its facility into a short-term migrant shelter. CBP
transports migrants to the church, where volunteers quickly assess
immediate needs, conduct COVID testing, and provide food, clothing, and
other essentials. Most of the arriving migrants already have sponsors
lined up in other parts of the country and are awaiting travel to their
next destination. Church staff and volunteers report that it is
challenging to provide these critical, immediate services, as migrants
often arrive unexpectedly or do not arrive as scheduled. Despite this,
they have the full support of their congregation and the El Paso Baptist
Association.

Getting the opportunity to observe firsthand the impact immigration
policy has on these stakeholders reaffirms the importance of the
Forum's work. We are so grateful to our partners and friends at Abara
Frontiers for facilitating our
experience.

One big takeaway from our team: Our nation can and should create better
immigration policies that promote orderly, compassionate and fair
immigration pathways in contrast to our current chaotic system that
benefits cartels and human traffickers more than anyone else.

Each of us has a role to play in advancing better immigration policies
that keep us safe and also a welcoming destination for those seeking
refuge.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Adam

P.S. To learn more about our trip to the border, join us
for
a Zoom conversation on Friday, October 15 at 2pm ET!

**Adam Estle**
Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

[link removed]

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:******

[link removed]

**ASSOCIATED PRESS:**US says record-low refugee admissions partly due to
pandemic

**USA TODAY:**'We're ready': After issues in Del Rio, Mayorkas says DHS
is prepared for additional groups of Haitian migrants

**CHRISTIANITY TODAY:**Church, Rise Up: Time to Welcome 50K Afghan
Refugees

**FORBES:**Fauci Says Immigrants Are 'Absolutely Not' Driving
Covid-19 Surge: 'Let's Face Reality Here'

**ROLL CALL:**Lengthy processing times keep Indian green card seekers
waiting

 

Donate Now

 

**Follow Us**

 

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

 

 

 

The

**Only in America** podcast brings you to the people behind our
nation's immigration debate.

 

Listen now on:

 

**iTunes**
,
**Stitcher**
,
**Spotify** ,
and **more.**

 

 

National Immigration Forum

10 G Street NE, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20002

www.immigrationforum.org

 

Unsubscribe from BBB emails here.

Or opt-out from all Forum emails.

 

                                               
           
_________________

Sent to [email protected]

Unsubscribe:
[link removed]

National Immigration Forum, 10 G St NE, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20002, United States