Frontera Digna

The Frontera Digna shelter is an institution that welcomes vulnerable migrants, refugees and deportees. The shelter was founded in September 1994 as “Casa del Peregrino de Piedras Negras.” The shelter is part of the Parish of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos, advised by Fr. Sabino Gámez Pérez who seeks to contribute from his faith to a social situation that is present day by day in this border city. Due to security issues, the shelter was temporarily closed in 2009, but then reopened that same year as Casa del Migrante “Frontera Digna” under the direction of the Diocese of Piedras Negras, with Fr. José Guadalupe Valdez, as director.

We are a charitable institution and defender of human rights that receives, guides and accompanies the migrant in a holistic way, according to their needs. Our vision is to be an institution that promotes the encounter with God in the exercise of charity and instructs in the knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of the migrant.

In early 2020, staff at Frontera Digna were preparing a new shelter called “Compartiendo Esperanza” exclusively for women and children with a capacity of 80 people. In April of 2020, immigration authorities requested the use of a new shelter for 160 people in deportation proceedings from Mexico. You can read more about what happened HERE

Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate

The Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate, is an Institute of Religious Life founded by Mother Caridad Brader Zahner, in Túquerres – Colombia, on March 31, 1893 and definitively approved by the Holy See, on May 16, 1933.

Frontera Digna Migrant Shelter

The Frontera Digna migrant shelter aims to serve migrants who are in transit or stationed in the city so that they can meet the needs that afflict them due to the long journey from their countries of origin. We always seek to grant them the greatest possible help in order for them to recover and carry their emotional and physical load as they continue on their way or in starting a new life in our city if desired.

Daily we have contact with more than 100 migrants from countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Venezuela among others, a large number of whom intend to cross to the United States in search of a better place to live, that is why that we seek comprehensive care so that, as it is the last home they have for support in Mexico before crossing the border, they may see fit to attend to their needs to continue their journey; In the same way, we receive people who are deported from the United States on a daily basis, due to the migratory and human rights crisis that this country is suffering, so we also seek to give them options for a permanent stay in our country, either with psychosocial or legal care, so that they can find greater stability in our country.

In the same way, being part of this community, we know that everyone comes with a huge spiritual loss, since the circumstances in their journey, make them lose faith in anything they come to believe on many occasions. That is why we seek to heal through our words so that they continue within our path of spirituality if they so wish.

We work hand in hand with international organizations to provide the medical, psychological, social and legal care that we cannot give them so that they can achieve the maximum benefit and do not miss any opportunities.

What we do

  • Receive migrants who arrive to the shelter requesting support.

  • Attend to basic needs (clothes, food, personal hygiene, medical and legal attention, and referrals to psychological and social care)

  • Evaluate the conditions of the migrants in order to give them appropriate opportunities for housing, stability and protection.

  • Refer migrants to different organizations who can help them solve their problems

What we offer

In general:

  • Accommodation (depending on needs)

  • Food (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

  • Clothing (the essential, depending on the needs)

  • Pantry (for people who are not staying in the shelter)

  • Spiritual assistance

  • Referrals to international and local agencies for specific needs (medical, legal, social, labor)

  • Legal attention specialized in Migratory Regularization Procedures and representation.

For reasons of the Covid-19 Pandemic:

  • Food (from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

  • Medical Care Days (by established date)

  • Clothing delivery

  • Pantry delivery

  • Legal advice for immigration procedures, protection of human rights and attention in criminal procedures (victims of violence, discrimination, extortion, kidnapping, rape, etc.)

  • Channeling to social programs with different organizations.

How can you partner with us and join our cause?

VOLUNTEERS who wish to collaborate in this shelter must be generous in their time and be available for this service for the good of the migrants. Our volunteers must be sensitive to others’ pain, welcoming them with love and mercy, respecting, accompanying and comforting, like the good Samaritan.

We need volunteers for the following activities:

  • Support in registration and control of household assistance (first contact with migrants to identify their needs).
  • Support in delivery of medicine, clothing and pantry.
  • Minimum length of stay: 1-2 months.
  • Help with delivery of food and water.
  • Minimum length of stay: 2-3 months.
  • Anyone who can support us in this noble cause is welcome.


Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico

Social Network

Contacts

Director
Hna. Isabel Turcios, FMI
Phone:  87882092605
Shelter: 8787821408
Email: fronteradigna@gmail.com

Layer
Lic. Edgar Rodríguez Izquierdo
Number: 8443535247
Email: juridicoPNmigrantes@outlook.com

Social Worker
Lic. Cynthia Ibarra García
Number: 8787857901
Email: cynthy.ig89@gmail.com