This is why we need urgent immigration reform

1,500 migrants crossing en masse in El Paso this week is an act of desperation by folks frustrated with a broken system. The U.S. immigration system is broken and overwhelmed, not unlike so many individuals seeking asylum here.

The crisis isn’t the mass crossing, the crisis is that there isn’t an organized or realistic way for people to migrate, and the U.S. doesn’t have the capacity to help. This leaves vulnerable migrants in dangerous situations in Juarez.

“I am traumatized from threats in my country and I am traumatized from the kidnapping here. All I want is to arrive at a place that is safe. That is all we’re asking for.”

This is a quote from a woman who was one of 1,500 migrants who crossed the shallow Rio Grande Sunday evening from Juarez into El Paso.

Fellowship Southwest has significant presence in the El Paso/Juarez area serving migrants in partnership with a local pastor, Rosalio Sosa. Sosa directs a network of shelters called Red de Alburgues para Migrantes in coordination with Chihuahuan state government. His shelters are full to capacity, as most NGO migrant shelters are right now.

But when thousands of Venezuelans camped out along the Juarez side of the Rio Grande last month, Sosa pitched a tent and joined them. He did so out of solidarity, but more than that, he was desperate to help them organize more safely and efficiently. He was encouraging them to find shelter and protection from cartels. He informed them about the legal immigration process, and the recently changed guidelines for Venezuelans.

“It is not safe for them to be on the riverbanks, as cartels are not happy with the presence of these migrants on the river,” Sosa said. “Doing this kind of work is like being at battle with constant unexpected changes. It is a battle where pain sees no end.”

The 1,500 El Paso migrants felt as though they had no other options, having just been rescued from a mass kidnapping event in Mexico, during which many of them were hurt and lost all their possessions.

The migrants did proceed to Customs and Border Patrol once in El Paso, but essentially circumvented the lengthy process of claiming asylum. CBP has had to release most of these migrants into the street, something called “provisional release,” because there is not nearly enough space in holding centers or non-profit shelters. Many of the immigrants released onto the streets end up downtown with nowhere to go.

Between this dramatic rise in migration, the upcoming end of Title 42 and Congress’ inability to pass a solution, our immigration system is at a tipping point.

A statement from the Department of Homeland Security says, “The only real solution is for Congress to fix our broken and outdated immigration system.” Congress must act and give the resources to manage the lifting of Title 42, increase personnel and technology, and update the guidelines for asylum. These are all necessary for a more orderly, safe border and to humanely respond to asylum seekers.

Fellowship Southwest urges you to call your member of Congress today and ask them to provide massive resources toward immigration reform. You can also sign this letter from Evangelical Immigration Table.

Like the woman who was part of the mass border crossing in El Paso said, most of the people who are migrating to our border have endured tremendous and unimaginable trauma. All they want is to be safe. This Christmas, consider what you would do to protect your safety and your family’s safety, and then speak up on behalf of migrants.