[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”4055.8px” custom_margin=”||-51px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-82px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\nRepresentatives of the Franciscan Network for Migrants–USA team visited the US southern border once again between November 2nd and 6th.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n
We went to gain greater understanding and compassion for our migrant brothers and sisters who have crossed into the United States, and those who are waiting in Mexico. We extended a hand of friendship and solidarity to migrant people and those helping them at various shelters and organizations, and we attended the annual the binational border mass, a cooperative effort of the dioceses of El Paso (Texas), Las Cruces (New Mexico), and Ju\u00e1rez (Mexico).<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_8631.jpg” title_text=”IMG_8631″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”240.2px” custom_margin=”||-114px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity Visits<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Border Service Corps<\/a><\/strong> provides direct support to migrant people. We met them at the El Paso airport to learn about how they help migrant people navigate their departure from El Paso.
<\/span>
<\/span>At Casa Papa Francisco,<\/strong> a project of <\/span>Annunciation House,<\/strong><\/span><\/a> we met with Executive Director Ruben Garcia and learned, among many different aspects of their work, how this particular shelter houses persons with high levels of vulnerability, including those who were victims of the fire in the Juarez detention center.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”55px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image0-1-e1699640572800.jpeg” title_text=”image0 (1)” admin_label=”Border Servant Corps” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image1-1-1.jpeg” title_text=”image1 (1)” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_7606.jpg” title_text=”IMG_7606″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-38px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\nI particularly appreciated being able to be on both sides of the border. That being said, the Mass with the Bishops united the sides and had me in tears -seeing the migrants on the Juarez side reaching out at the Sign of Peace was to me also a gesture that said, \u201cYou see us. Gracias.\u201d\u00a0 I was never more proud to be a Franciscan Catholic.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
–Chris Auer\u00a0 \u00a0Read her entire testimony here<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”23px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-39px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Opportunity Center<\/strong><\/span><\/a> navigates the need presented by the local homeless population while at the same time serving migrant. They focus on people with mental health and substance abuse struggles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center<\/a><\/strong> provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and refugees in West Texas and New Mexico. Las Americas helped us understand the diverse legal avenues that migrants have to stay legally in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n
Sacred Heart Shelter (<\/span>Casa del Sagrado Corazon<\/a><\/strong>).<\/strong>\u00a0At Sagrado Corazon, Michael Debruhl, Shelter Director\u00a0<\/span>and retired U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent, discussed the work of this large shelter for migrants, and also gave us an overview of the current immigration situation, dispelling many myths and countering false information in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”196.8px” custom_margin=”-85px||-70px|||” custom_padding=”58px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\nBuilding an immersion experience around the annual Bi-National Border mass creates great synergy throughout the Juarez\/El Paso community.\u00a0 Although the annual mass goes back 25 years, it still exudes the good energy of fraternity, charity, welcome, and hospitality that those serving the needs of the migrants work toward.\u00a0 And this work is challenging as it takes place in a more hostile environment, where now dastardly built barrels wrapped in concertina wire entangle folks in the river.<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n
Three full days, well planned, allowed us to see first hand the good work on both sides of the border and we met with some of the most knowledgeable people, some who have worked decades along the border and have wisdom and dedication.\u00a0 It takes a few days to realize how impacted we are from the experience.\u00a0 There was a strong Franciscan presence in our group consisting of friars, sisters, Secular Franciscans and Friends of St. Francis.\u00a0 The organizing of the Franciscan Network for Migrants helped us coalesce spiritually and fraternally in our days together.<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n
–Brother David Buer ofm<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_0347.jpg” title_text=”IMG_0347″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_8612-e1699643203460.jpg” title_text=”IMG_8612″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/redfranciscana.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/0715-pax-christi-el-paso5.jpg” title_text=”0715-pax-christi-el-paso5″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Holy Family Shelter<\/a><\/strong> is supported by Annunciation House and is run out of a local parish by Friar Jarek, a Polish OFM Conventual friar, and his team of many volunteers. At Holy Family Shelter, we had a chance to volunteer and have dinner with the guests there, and we also heard from Sr. Mary Soh FMM who explained her work to confront human trafficking and help victims.<\/span><\/p>\n
In Juarez, we visited <\/span>Casa Eudes Shelter<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong> Sr. Christa Parra discussed compassionate care they provide to the women and children who stay there as they wait for their CBPOne appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n