Honoring Dia de Muertos❤

On the Day of the Dead
I remember you
I still wish
that you were here

but you live in my heart
and I will never forget
the love and good memories
that will always remain.

A Calaverita literaria is a satirical poem usually written for the Day of the Dead in Mexico. These poems are meant to express things that are hard to talk about (politics, tragedy, death), and they're often anonymous: The author doesn't matter because the verses become part of the collective culture. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.
Honoring Volviendo a Casa Recipients:
This year, our Day of the Dead altar will commemorate the 15 migrants we have assisted through our Volviendo a Casa (Returning Home) program through which we hope to bring relief to low-income families lacking the monetary resources to pay funeral expenses or transportation of the migrant bodies for proper burial. Their families are then given the chance to say their final goodbyes to those who have lost their life migrating. These 15 individuals tragically passed away in the desert, in the ocean, and in Border Patrol custody.

While these services and aid are necessary, we use this opportunity to denounce the forces and policies that force our migrant siblings to inevitably lose their lives in search of safety and opportunity. Through this program, we also wish to reiterate that migrant lives are not disposable. In the spirit of Dia de Muertos, we celebrate the life of 15 individuals who were sons, brothers, husbands, friends, and/or beloved community members:
David Esteban Ramirez
David Maldonado Torres
Joel Reyes
Jovanny Guadalupe Pava Inzuza
Eleobardo Garcia Lopez
Joel Isaias Cuxim Itza
Edson Armando Ramirez Medina
Juan Lopez Gonzalez
Luis Gustavo Evangelista Gomez
Jose Enrique Gomez Ortiz
Conrado Cifuentes
Jose Federico Cervantes-Arista
Carlos Ernesto Mejia Escobar
Elias Alvarado
Anduezar
PRESENTE!

Self-guided tours are available to the public at the Sherman Heights Community Center starting October 17th-November 2nd at 2258 Island Ave. San Diego, CA. Monday - Friday from 2-6PM and Saturdays 11AM-3PM. To learn more about Dia de Los Muertos at Sherman Heights Community Center click here ([link removed]) .
PROGRAM UPDATES:
Volviendo A Casa
"Returning Home"
We are heartbroken to share the details of the latest and youngest Volviendo a casa program recipient. Marcelo de Jesus Reyes was a 22-year-old migrant from Veracruz who passed away attempting to cross the San Diego/Tijuana border. He suffered a heart attack while crossing the desert; this was his first attempt at crossing. The person who was guiding him was able to communicate with his family members, and Border Patrol was able to recover the body days later. He had a wife and a 3-year-old son for whom he decided to come to the US as it was his dream to build a house for them, and in Veracruz, he couldn’t find a stable job, and his salary was of 70 pesos daily. His body remained in the funeral home since August, as his family was not able to pay any of the expenses.

Through our Volviendo a Casa program, we were able to coordinate with the Mexican consulate and pay for funeral expenses and transportation back to Veracruz so that his family may say their final goodbyes. May he Rest in Peace.

To donate to this program click here. ([link removed])
Shelter Aid
[link removed]

Proyecto Salesiano is one of the biggest shelters and centers we support. This center provides many services to not just the migrant and deported population but to the indigent population in Tijuana. This center provides many services including breakfast, a medical clinic, showers, a hair salon, mental health support and so much more. Proyecto Salesiano receives visitors and volunteers from all parts of the world to assist in these services.

We are proud to support such an amazing project and thank you for your continued support of our Shelter Aid program.

To support our Shelter Aid program click here ([link removed]) .
Title 42 Exemptions

Another group is headed across to the US after we assisted them through Title 42 exemptions, a process exclusive to asylum seekers who have been in our supported shelters. This group contains many kids and migrants from Central America and Haiti.

We share in their excitement and want to thank all of you, as we could not do this work without you, and without the amazing partnership with Psicologos Sin Fronteras, B.C. Thank you for your continued support and for helping us bring this small but incredibly important relief at the border to the families who have been waiting up to two years for a chance to present their asylum case.
Halloween Costume Drive
There’s still time to help with our Halloween donation drive! Stop by our office and drop off costumes that are new or in very good condition from sizes 12 months - 16 youth and new candy by October 27th. Our office is located at 2258 Island Ave. San Diego, CA 92114.

Can’t stop by our office? Check out our Amazon Wishlist and order costumes and candy directly to our office! Scan the QR code or visit [link removed] ([link removed])

To coordinate drop-offs and for more info email [email protected]🎃 👻
Thank you Evangelical Lutheran Church
A big shoutout to Reverend Marcus and Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church who invited us to the installation service of their newly elected Bishop, the Rev. David Nagler. The Bishop's installation planning team, in collaboration with Bishop Dave, was grateful enough to donate to Border Angels the offering dollars collected during the service.

We are touched to continue to count on our community’s support and to know the church holds our organization in its prayers.

If you would like your group or organization to collaborate with Border Angels email us at [email protected]
News Spotlight:

'They Forgot About Us’: Inside the Wait for Refugee Status
As the Biden administration prioritizes resettling people fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan, many other refugees are waiting years in a system struggling to rebuild.

For the past eight years, Ahmed Mohamed Aden has been trying to reunite with the sons he left behind when he fled Somalia.

But earlier this month, he learned that their applications were still pending, stuck in a backlog of people fleeing violence and persecution who hope to find sanctuary in America.

Mr. Aden’s sons are among thousands of people living in limbo as delays in the U.S. refugee system stretch to an average of five years or more, according to government estimates.

The average wait used to be roughly two years, before the Trump administration gutted the refugee program with the intention of sealing off the United States from refugees and other immigrants. And the coronavirus pandemic forced many U.S. embassies to close or curtail their operations, allowing cases to back up even more.

Read Full Article Here ([link removed])

U.S. policy shift on Venezuelan migrants adds more strain to shelters in Mexico
Jose Maria Garcia Lara got a call asking if his shelter had room for a dozen Venezuelan migrants who were among the first expelled to Mexico under an expanded U.S. policy that denies rights to seek asylum.

“We can’t take anyone, no one will fit,” he answered, standing amid rows of tents in what looks like a small warehouse. He had 260 migrants on the floor, about 80 over capacity and the most since opening the shelter in 2012.

The phone call Thursday illustrates how the Biden administration’s expansion of asylum restrictions to Venezuelans poses a potentially enormous challenge to already overstretched Mexican shelters.

The U.S. agreed to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly directly to the U.S. for temporary stays but said it will also start returning to Mexico any who cross illegally — a number that reached 33,000 in September alone.
Read Full Article Here ([link removed])
Upcoming Events:
Don't Forget the Merch

We have everything from t-shirts, to totes, to water bottles! All merchandise purchases go towards our programs and life-saving work.

Visit our online shop here ([link removed]) .
Border Angels Youtube Channel ([link removed][0]=AT0P45H2q2-G7hh2HJVCdSovBnNvl1GxplLNLpBF7cPAHW5QODu_mUxSRz65v6vumRlDjbWhdf3MsPC5WZy9Zj2tiqZTvoGcHvKqlMYz_MDxhCLNT5l14aWAW9ynRja12ju4HCeFh3Ezv7-Zkl8SnIO0GXFu96wh5q6pc94y_RsXpUnZTjEfi966GZRK4R7e2qnEVKc&mc_cid=3e08dd5cde&mc_eid=UNIQID)

A quick reminder that there are many ways to support us and get involved with Border Angels!

DM, FB message, or email us any of your questions at [email protected]

We appreciate you!!
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San Diego, CA 92102

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