Las Familias Solidarity

Difficult Decisions

            In decisions we usually have the freedom to choose; other situations have difficult decisions forced upon us. Valentina, her husband Emilio, and their 3 children fled the cartel threats in Columbia, making the dangerous journey to the Juarez/El Paso Border. Valentina was 7 months pregnant when they arrived this April. She and her children were vetted by US Customs and Border Protection, then released with an ankle monitor and an Immigration Court date. Emilio, however, was sent to an US Detention Center 90 miles away. He has been incarcerated the past 6 months, with no release in sight, because he had a criminal record in Columbia. Emilio owed money to a corrupt cop in Columbia. When he could not pay, Emilio was thrown in jail. He was freed after Valentina sold their car and other belongings to pay the debt. Yet the US Border officials put him back into custody. An Annunciation House shelter volunteer drove Valentina and their baby to the detention center this month so Emilio could meet his 2 month old son. The couple’s tears were mixed with longing, frustration and helplessness. Valentina now has a difficult decision to make. Should she and their children travel on to their sponsor in New York? If Emilio is deported, a very real possibility, will she and the 4 children return with her husband to Columbia? The compassionate shelter volunteers are helping Valentina navigate this heart breaking decision.

 

Inspiring Decisions

            We are continually inspired by the Annunciation House volunteers that donate 2 weeks up to many years to care 24/7 for the Asylum Seeking families that temporarily stay at their shelters. They enroll children in school and teach English words to their parents. Hot meals, warm showers and clean clothes are provided with loving care and patient kindness. Martin is an asylum seeker that was the victim of Juarez jail fire, where 40 men died. When Martin arrived at Annunciation House last year after being released by the hospital and US Border officials, he was suffering from brain damage due to prolonged smoke inhalation. He could not walk, eat, dress, shower or follow simple requests. A year later, because the shelter volunteers have faithfully gotten him physical, speech, and occupational therapy, Martin has a future with possibilities. He can now talk and take care of himself. Despite his 6th grade education, Martin takes pre-GED classes over the internet, planning to get his High School diploma and pursue job opportunities. These selfless shelter volunteers decided to choose love and compassion in the midst constant suffering and injustice that often can be depressing, and difficult to hope.

 

Important Decisions

            In a few weeks, we will be making an important election decision. There is so much pre-election misinformation about Asylum Seekers and Immigration spread by politicians and media that seek to instill fear. Spread the truth wherever you can; yet we know (from personal experience!) that some friends and family resist the truth. The asylum seeking families that we meet each month are mostly young mothers and fathers with babies, toddlers and children. They are fleeing death threats, violence, famine and dictatorships. These asylum seeking families desire the same things that we do for our families: safety, education, dignity and a family supporting job.

           

Here are the facts and studies that dispel common misinformation about migrants at our border:

 

1.  Asylum Seekers are more law abiding than U.S. Citizens

There have been several multi-year studies documenting that immigrants are more law abiding and have a 60% lower incarceration rate than US born citizens do.  Please read two of the studies at:

The mythical tie between immigration and crime | Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and 

FBI crime report shows violence in Texas border towns is lower than the national average | kens5.com

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2. Borders are not open.

In fact, the border is more reenforced than ever before. Read how the US is partnering with other nations to decrease illegal/irregular immigration. American Leadership Is Winning on Migration | Opinion - Newsweek. Over the last year, the Department of Homeland Security has decreased migrant parole releases by over 80% at the Southern border by expanding migrant deportation. FACT SHEET: Joint DHS-DOJ Final Rule Issued to Restrict Asylum Eligibility.

 

 3. Asylum seekers do not bring the drugs into the U.S. -  American citizens do.

Immigration authorities say nearly all drugs are smuggled by people who are legally authorized to cross the border, and more than half by U.S. citizens. Virtually none from migrants seeking asylum! Mules who smuggle fentanyl often U.S. citizens.

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Please choose love and compassion for Asylum Seeking families with your donations.

Our next journey to the Asylum Seeker shelters in El Paso will be Wednesday, November 6th. Please get any items to us or St. Michael and All Angels by Sunday, November 3rd. Please understand that due to a lack of space in our SUV’s and the shelters these are the only items that we can accept.

• Women’s jeans, almost new – Sizes 2 -10

• Men’s jeans, almost new – sizes 28 - 34

• Men and women’s belts, almost new, - same sizes as pants

• Children’s long sleeve tops, almost new – all sizes

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How to Help

Donations help us buy in bulk to get the best price.

• Donate & get a tax deduction - Click here to donate On the donations page, hit the arrow to the right of “Use this donation for”. Scroll down to Las Familias Solidarity. Use PayPal or a credit card to donate.

• Send a Check, We Shop – For a tax deduction, make check to St. Michaels and All Angels. In the memo line put “Las Familias Solidarity.” Mail to St. Michaels & All Angels, 601 Montaño Road NW. Albuquerque, NM 87107.​

• Venmo us @Las Familias-Solidarity

• Shop & Send - bring the items to St. Michael & All Angels Parish, 601 Montaño Rd, ABQ. Monday-Thursday to parish office or Sunday Morning to church OR deliver or ship to Sharon Palma, 2 Isleta Trail, Corrales, NM 87048.  If you drop off, please text Sharon at 505.249.5046. 

Thank you for standing with asylum seeking families as they seek safety and work to support their family. We say to the volunteers and guests at each shelter, “These are items donated by people who live 300 miles away. They welcome you & want you to know that they care about you and your family!”

If you believe that our work is important, please tell a friend.

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Las Familias Solidarity Team

 

With our gratitude,
Liz & Mike Hanna, Sharon Palma, Denise Ulibarri Clauss, Linda McCreary, Michiel Bourdrez, and the many volunteers on the Las Familias Solidarity Team

All photos courtesy of Liz Hanna