OUR NEW HOME!
Next week 10 high school students and 2 chaperones are coming from Delaware to take apart the bunk beds at Casa Papa Francisco and assemble at our new home. We will be staying at Casa Vides for six days. Casa Vides is downtown El Paso.
" In a world filled with challenges, serving others requires courage, resilience and a deep sense of compassion. Those who approach service with an open mind and heart ( and the ability to laugh when things don't go as planned ) can create meaningful change.”
We took a tour of the new building complex being renovated for Annunciation House. We will be moving from Casa Papa Francisco in the next few weeks. Our building will be renovated, asbestos and lead removal and updated. I wonder who will be coming there? We are seeing no new guests today.......
Well we have been here now almost 3 weeks.....we have settled in, we have met wonderful people and we continue to experience and learn. Thanks to all our family and friends for all your love and support. We feel safe and happy in what we are doing.
Life here has definitely changed since January 20. Our numbers are down, shelters are closing and there is probably more fear in the lives of many we see. We have heard many brave stories. Futures are uncertain but hope is still alive.
Someone asked me....Why did you come? Why are you still here? I think we came because we wanted to experience the Border. We are still here because we choose to be.
Monday we are going into Juarez, Mexico to serve lunch at the Cathedral. I guess we wanted to experience the other side of the border. We will walk over the bridge....I think I am a bit nervous....o fiddleeee deeee......
Juarez..........
University Medical Center is discharging a 21 year old woman from Mexico who fell off the Border Wall. She was first sent to a foster home to work on mobility and is now being discharged with crutches.....
A federal judge has suspended criminal charges against Francisco Yanez, Mexico's top immigration official, in relation to the 2023 fire at the migrant detention center in Ciudad Juarez that killed 40 migrants and injured 27 others. Wilson, a 21 year old male is a long term guest at Casa Papa Francisco where he has severe health issues due to the fire which was started and ignored by guards.
The us Department of Defense, along with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, deported 80 Guatemalan migrants on Friday morning, Jan. 24 from Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas
Hidalgo Texas - As the new troops get settled in the Rio Grands Valley, deportations into Mexico continue at the International Port of Entry in Hidalgo. About 50 people were based in the US Border Patrol agents. On foot, in a single file line, children, women and men made their way into Mexico. There, US Border Patrol officials turned them over to Mexican authorities. This happened three times until all migrants were in Mexico.
Federal law enforcement have begun "immigration enforcement" raids in El Paso. The FBI, along with our Department of Justice is assisting Department of Homeland Security's and other federal law enforcement partners with their immigration enforcement efforts.
US Border Patrol agents returned fire after shots were fired at them from Mexico along the Rio Grands.
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On July 2022 The Biden administration announced it would fill four wide gaps in Arizona near yuma, In October 2023 Biden announced that he was s=restarting wall construction on some part of the border due to the surge of migrant crossings, constructing an addition 20 miles of border wall. On January 2025, re-elected Donald Trump edged to expand the wall during his second term.
The US National Guard has pledged to provide "immediate support" after Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency at the southwest border. About 1500 US troops are to be sent to the Border. The National Guard's involvement adds to a significant military presence at the border. More than 4100 personnel from the Texas National Guard remain on active duty, reinforcing ongoing border security and enforcement operations.
What Happens Next
The Associated Press reported on Friday that the Trump Administration will be expanding its use of "expedited removal" to deport migrants across the United States, despite concerns that the policy can be prone to mistakes.
We see many people here fleeing Venezuela under Nicolas Madura. The voice of the Venzuelian people has not been respected. And the dismantling of democratic institutions has been accompanied by widespread violation and abuses of human right which are occurring now.
Maduro has shown a blatant disregard for the rule of law. This is a force impacting the entire region exacerbating humanitarianism and the migration crisis.
Drug Cartels in Mexico
We also hear stories of violence from cartels as migrants flee across the border. Due to its location, Mexico has long been used as a staging and transshipment point for narcotics and contraband between Latin America and US markets.
Illicit drug use in Mexico is low compared the the United States but is on the rise. The US is the worlds largest consumer of cocaine. Their demand is what motivates the drug business.
One of the main factors driving the Mexican drug was is widespread poverty. In cities such as Ciudad Juarez, up to 60% of the economy depended on illegal sources of income. Cartels have engaged in kidnapping, ransom murder, robbery and extortion of migrants traveling from Central America thru Mexico on their way to the United States. There are also documented links between drug cartels and human trafficking, for forced labor, forced prostitution and rape.
As of 2024 the Sinaloa Cartel is primarily involved in the distribution of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and remains Mexico's most dominant cartel.
BORTAC, or the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, is an elite tactical unit within the US Border Patrol that specializes in counterterrorism and high-risk situations came to El Paso. BORTAC agents are sniper certified, carry large weapons, and are trined in flash bangs (?). They respond to critical situations like terrorist threats, riots, and prison escapes, and are often deployed on high -stakes busts.
Darien Gap.....
I know nothing about the the Darien Gap. I had never heard of it in my geography class...
Migrants risk death on the journey to the United States....Hundreds of thousands of migrants from Haiti, Venezuela and elsewhere risk their lives each year to cross the Darien Gap between Columbia and Panama. The Darien Gap is an imposing obstacle and one of the most dangerous migration risks. The remote, roadless, crossing consists of more than 60 miles of dense rain forest, steep mountains and a vast swamp. It is the only overland path connecting Central and South America. Over the past few years, it has become a leading transit point for migrants in search of work and safety in the US, as authorities have cracked don on others routes by air and sea.
However, migrants face many challenges on this land journey northward including treacherous terrain, exposures to disease and violence at the hands of criminal groups. International aid organizations have sought to manage the crisis by setting up temporary housing and providing basic services to those arriving in Panama.
Migrants Under Pressure....Economic insecurity, political upheavals and climate change are driving millions of people from their home countries. According the the Panamanian government, more than 520,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap on route to the US in 2023. Approximately 1/5 of those who made the crossing were children. The majority of migrants were from Venezuela, followed by Ecuador and Haiti. The number of Venezuelans crossing the gap has increased as the humanitarian situation in their home country grows more dire.
Aside from Sonafront, Panama's national border service, there is no police force in the area and no formal road, making it difficult to stop arms and drug trafficking or find help.
The journey is really bad especially when the rain comes. It is just mud, rivers and going up mountainsides non-stop. Deep in the jungle, robbery, rape and human trafficking are as dangerous as wild animals, insects and absolute lack of safe drinking water.
In March 2024, the Panamanian government suspended Doctors Without Borders operations in the country. In July 2024, newly elected President Jose Mulino installed barbed wire fencing thru the jungle to dissuade crossings.
Again, violence, poverty and hope for a better life conditions drive families with children to flee their home and face inhospitable environments such as the Darien Gap.
Netflix - Split at eh Root
Prime video - The Darien Gap documentary.
Everything is very quiet here.....no new guests today.
We have a family of four leaving Monday for Nebraska, a family of 3 leaving for Atlanta on Wednesday and a family of six waiting.....We also have four ladies here whose husband's are deceased but earned Social Security. They are here to spend 2 months in the United States to receive those benefits.
Warrant Points for Volunteers:
1. Warrants can be slid under the door. Opening doors should be avoided until warrant is verified.
2 Warrants must be signed by a Judge
3. Arrest warrant must say the name of the person to be arrested
4. Search warrants must be specific as to place and documents to be searched.
5. Form 1-205 ( Warrant of Deportation ) does not authorize entry
6. ICE warrants are rare.
Asylum at the US border basically ended for anyone fleeing danger, even for families persecuted on the basis of their religion or political views. Mr. Trump's moves at the Border, like his attempt to upend birthright citizenship are likely to face legal challenges. Joe calculated from Customs and Border Patrol stats from last year that of the 3 million illegal migrants that came in- only 0.02% commit any crime at all. We find the people we have met to be young, brave, appreciative individuals (many with children) who are trying to escape violence and corruption in their own country. What would I do???????
Carol, our house director is going on a Search and Rescue trip tomorrow with BATALIA to look for bodies, A dead body is usually eaten by coyotes within five days - skeletons remain. Because it has been so cold here she is unsure what they may find. Batalia saiid that as of 2024, 1600 remains were unidentified. And because of the huge remote, desolate territory the group has noted that a substantial percentage of human remains will never be found.
We are unsure of our time here now.
January 23, 2025
The present environment is difficult and challenging and increases.
Today the ICE/Detention will release 13 single adult refugees. ICE/BP will release 22 family members and 1 single adult refugees
We stay open and busy but shelters are closing down. The future is unknown. TV cameras came today to interview our director. We are seeing so many sad situations with unsure futures.
January 20, 2025
Custom Border Patrol 1 - CBP1 shut down immediately once Trump took office today. Most of the people we see here at Casa Papa Francisco come as CBP1 refugees. This was created by President Biden to give people the opportunity for work permits and to enter the United States "legally" and orderly. Without this they will need to appear at Immigration at the Border and may be denied entry. Some will come over the Wall, through the water, through the desert and enter illegally.
Our Transportation assistance also ended today at 7PM. Right now an NGO will pay for the use of the El Paso Shuttle Service for assistance to the airport and bus stations.
Last night we had a meeting with our Director . We were advised that immigration Custom Enforcement, ICE ,may come to our doors and seek admission. We were given a protocol to follow if that happens. We cannot refuse entry but we can request a warrant. I don't plan to answer the door without backup!!!!
A person seeking asylum must prove their reason for entry. If their persecution is not connected to race, ethnicity, religion, political opinion or membership in a social group they will not qualify for asylum in the United States. Emigration remains a contentious topic. 70% of refugees will no tbe able to prove their right for asylumnand will be deported. Some will live illegally. All those seeking asylum are encouraged to get a good ethical lawyer!
Today we received 13 new guests.
1/16/25......Today Joe and I went to The Wall. I found it very ugly, cold. There was barren desert all around. It was full of trash. Two Border Patrol guards stopped us from leaving our car and walking. We were told it was unsafe. We did not see anyone but they told us they pick up all types of people everyday. The rich and employed do not leave their countries. It is the poor and abused that want to leave. What happens to them - did they obtain asylum, did they get deported immediately, did they stay illegally????? I don't think I will totally understand the whole picture.
Everyone wonders what Jan. 20 will be like??????
Annunciation House is a Volunteer organization that offers hospitality to migrants, immigrants and refugees in El Paso, Texas. Volunteers live simply and in community in the same houses as the guests we serve who are mostly from Mexico and Central America. We also participate in advocacy and education around immigration issues. We seek to be a voice for justice and compassion.
Annunciation House accompanies the migrant, homeless and economically vulnerable peoples of the border region thru hospitality, advocacy and education. Houses of hospitality for migrants and refugees in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez since 1978.
The US/Mexico border is a unique area. It is a region where multiple factors (social, political, economic, cultural, environmental) come into play. The El Paso/Ciudad Juarez metropolitan area is the biggest border community in the world. The combined population of both cities is close to 3 million people. It one of the main entry points into the United States for undocumented workers and drugs. The border is worth understanding for its own intrinsic value but more importantly we can learn much by seeing the border as a microcosm of today's globalized economy.
During its 45 year history Annunciation House has hosted over 500,000 immigrants for over 40 countries. The vast majority have been refugees who have fled the violence of political upheaval, civil wars, death squads, human rights abuse and especially stifling poverty.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Hospitality is our primary mission - providing a dignified living space for our guest. Volunteers spend most of their time operating our houses of hospitality in which we also live in community. Each volunteer has four main areas of responsibility.
1. Guest/service shifts during which we oversee the daily routine of the house. (Answering the phone and door, assigning shoes, making sure meals are served, performing intakes with new guest.
2. Serving as a contact person for guests in formulating plans and connecting to needed services (case management).
3. Week rotations of chores, (Laundry and cleaning)
4. Keeping the pantry stocked or clothing bank organized.
Volunteers also participate in the vital work of educating people to the realities of the border and the various forces that bring people here.
Accommodations are simple in keeping with the spirit of the house. Each Volunteer can expect to receive one full day off each week, an additional 2 day period each month.
Joe and I have a room with 2 twin beds, a bathroom (true luxury) and HOT water. Our first three days have been overwhelming and very busy. Our biggest challenge is the language but we are using Google Translate which is helpful. We usually do intakes on @ 10-30 new guest a day from mostly Mexico and Central America. Most are between the ages of 20-50 and many are married with children. They are all appreciative and come with nothing. All do have cell phones with chargers and know more technology than we do!
Once they get through immigration they receive an ankle bracelet which does not come off until they meet with immigration in their destination. Their picture is also taken. Southwest Airlines will not fly anyone with an ankle bracelet but other airlines will.
Immigration guards bring them to Casa Papa Francisco and we welcome them. They can receive safe housing, food, shower, warm clothes and most need shoe strings. Border patrol/ICE are their shoestrings because it is harder to run in shoes without strings!
At Casa Papa Francisco they can call their family or friends who need to buy airline or bus tickets for them to wherever they are going. They send confirmation info bak to us and we arrange transportation to the airport or bus station. Weekday transportation is provided by the city of El Paso. At the the El Paso International airport OEM ( Office of Emergency Management) , an organization also paid by the City of El Paso and assisted with volunteers can help them navigate getting to their proper gates. That does not happen everywhere and may end with the new administration.
Most guests stay 1-3 nights before leaving but some arrive and family or friends cannot pay for their transportation.
Once they leave us, they are on their own to meet with immigration, lawyers, seek asylum, obtain working papers etc. It is a very complicated, confusing, expensive, time consuming process. And most do not speak English.
We are working hard and learning a lot. It is an Adventure!
