By Sister Pat Forster
Raphael, newly settled here in McAllen, connected with three Jesuits who live in Brownsville and are learning step-by-step ways to serve the immigrants. Raphael met us at the McAllen-Reynosa Bridge and walked with us to the Reynosa central plaza, which has some 1500 persons from the Triangle of Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador squatted in tents waiting to be vetted for asylum status. The promise is that after the vetting is completed, they will be returned to their present locale.
These beautiful people arrived after one month of seeking transportation, food and impediments of cash payments of around $11,000 dollars to coyotes. They endured illness and violence. They want work. There is “no food, no future.” Another man, Leonardo, has three children left behind in Honduras. A normal story.
Why are they in the plaza? How long can they stay there? Word has it that they will be moved to a locality in Reynosa in a week or so and wait for MPP (Mexico Protection Protocol) release. The government is still in chaos regarding MPP. For a time, principally July, the MPP was lifted and over 70,000 immigrants entered at the Brownsville-McAllen borders. A plan on the part of the United States or the Triangle Countries has not emerged. President Biden is updated at weekly meetings—possibilities remain chaotic. Many immigrants have been sent back.
Our local paper, The Monitor, says, “Many migrant parents who arrived at the border realized they would be turned back due to a pandemic-induced policy known as Title 42. However, children are exempt from that policy.” So, children came and agencies were overwhelmed. Attorneys working with these situations communicate the large gaps in information and lack of records. Visiting with immigrants that are here now, only want to know is there a chance for asylum. This is the Washington D.C. challenge.
At this time, there are fewer persons at the Respite Center—100-150. Volunteers from Minneapolis came in a group of seven and divided into two shifts since the work was minimal. There has been time to make a “just transition” for the Respite Center in all areas. Previous stories spoke of volunteers taking responsibilities. Now the responsibility lies with employees, and volunteers are a marvelous supplement. Further, the immigrants arriving are pregnant women and families with children under 6 years of age. At both the Respite Center and the Reynosa Plaza the Jesuits celebrate Mass. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
Eleven million DACA recipients (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) have been working, studying, waiting and being the best of humanity. These children were brought here by their parents (ages 16-40). The wording we use is “they did not choose to be here” and they have no status, no road to citizenship. Last Thursday some 52 cars and 200 + persons marched to the city hall in Pharr, Tex., to proclaim impatience. “We, the DACA recipients and their families along with 14 official organizations ask for action now, not tomorrow. Why are DACA recipients not documented? U.S. laws prohibit citizenship. We believe President Biden wants citizenship; we believe the money is now in the approved bill. We work together. We are hard workers with low salaries and no health insurance. We are formators of community, we are dedicated religious, and we live a beautiful family life. We advocate and are successful in obtaining infrastructure for our civil communities. We care. That is why our march went 11 miles, marking each mile as a representation of each 1 million persons.”
If you have opportunity to contact your congress, senators and representatives, please raise awareness for DACA citizenship and honor the presence of 11 million young adults contributing to our society in significant ways.
Above Left: At the Reynosa Plaza there are two stations with a generator and plug-ins. Users pay 5 pesos to have their phones recharged.
Above Right: One of four kitchen areas, Sister Mary Dumonceaux to the right, three Jesuits and our friends in the camp.
