Reflections From the Border

On April 17, I attended a lecture at Notre Dame University presented by Mary Meg McCarthy. She is the director of the National Immigration Justice Center and a strong human rights advocate for immigrants. I was inspired by her talk and commitment. I spoke with her after about how I might see for myself the reality of the crisis at the border. She gave me a connection with Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Laredo, Texas.

From June 23 to June 26, I volunteered with Catholic Charities at a center called “La Frontera.” This center provides a transition process for hundreds of asylum seekers from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Because of the large numbers of asylum seekers, the Border Patrol no longer could provide long-term housing nor attend promptly to the legal process that was overwhelming the immigration courts. After having traveled weeks to reach the U.S. border, the immigrants were detained four or five days in crowded and chilly central processing centers. After the initial processing, they were released to centers like La Frontera.
 
Early in the morning La Frontera became a beehive of activity. Catholic Charities staff and numerous volunteers began the preparation to receive the immigrants who were to arrive later in the morning and afternoon. Meals had to be prepared, beds had to be stripped and remade in the dormitories, personal care items had to be individually packaged, donated clothing had to be separated and arranged for selection, bathrooms and shower areas had to be cleaned, waiting areas had to be prepared for initial intake when the migrants arrived and laundry had to be sent out.
 
Around 11 a.m. each morning, the Border Patrol (La Migra) began to arrive at the center in their distinctive green and white vans. Weary men, women and children exited from the vans holding their documentation and personal belongings in clear plastic bags.
 
Officials of Catholic Charities and volunteers greeted and welcomed the disoriented migrants. They were told what to expect during the time they would be welcomed at the center. Local health officials did a health evaluation to determine if there were any serious health issues that needed attention.
 
The arriving migrants were welcomed into a reception area where they were processed and phone calls were made to family members or relatives in the U.S. These calls were made to assure transportation costs would be provided for the incoming migrants so they could join their family members. Once the transportation payment was confirmed, they moved to a room where they were given water and treats to hold them over until meal time. Eventually they were moved in small groups to a clothing area where they could get clean clothing and underwear. This was followed by a badly needed shower and cleanup. Later they would be given lunch and a hearty dinner. Then they were assigned to dorms for the night. The next day they would be provided transportation to the bus terminal to begin their pre-paid trip to reunite with relatives in the States. In the four days I volunteered, the center processed 150 to 250 migrants a day.
 
I was deeply impressed at how young these families were and how young the children were.
 
The most frequently asked questions were: Where are we? How much travel time to our destinations?
When can we take a bath? When can we brush our teeth? When can we sleep in a bed?
 
I was moved to be invited into their stories — the horrible conditions they came from, the unbelievable conditions they faced on their journey north and the hopes they had for the future.
 
Having participated in delegations to El Salvador for many years, I enjoyed a special connection with the people from El Salvador. There was an instant bond that opened up trust and confidence even with the Honduran and Guatemalans.
 
The staff of Catholic Charities and the volunteers were amazingly compassionate and welcoming. Though understaffed and overworked, they did their work faithfully and were true instruments of God’s love for the poor.
 
Whether we agree, disagree or don’t care about the U.S. immigration laws, these migrants are here now. We can see their faces and feel their need. They are escaping war-torn and oppressed countries in pursuit of an opportunity of a better life for them and their families. I will never forget the faces I saw, the stories I heard, the smiles of gratitude and the many volunteers that I shared ministry with. The highlight of my four days in June was to celebrate Mass with the migrants at the center. The Mass was an opportunity to share the same body of Christ with brothers and sisters from faraway places, to sit at the same table of unity and love and to know that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Christ.
 
 
Camila’s journey
 
A young El Salvadorian girl walked off the Border Patrol van. She was with her father. After weeks of difficult travel, she was disorientated, badly needing a bath. Her name was Camila Xiamara; she was 10 years old. For the next few days she became my shadow and my friend. She felt comfortable with me because I spoke her language and I knew her country. Once she had cleaned up, put on clean clothing and had a good meal, she would hang around me and ask if she could help me with anything. She became my assistant in passing out water and preparing snacks for the new arrivals. She was always nearby introducing me to other girls and boys. She had an amazing personality — cheerful and very inquisitive.
 
She talked about her journey, how scared she was and about the many nights sleeping on the ground in the mountains. On the last evening I was at the center she gave me a drawing and a poem she wrote for me. Earlier in the day she and her father had assisted at the Mass I celebrated at the center. The poem she wrote was entitled “La Iglesia” (The Church). She compared the Church to a garden of roses and that wherever she goes to Church she sees it as a garden. In the drawing, she illustrated a priest and the image of a church. I honestly feel that the hospitality and the love we showed to the asylum seekers impressed her and made her feel loved and welcomed.