Immigrants at the border: how to help

July 2, 2018

Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops

Many people of goodwill are trying to assist people who are approaching our border with Mexico, families who are fleeing violence and seeking a better life for their children.

Here are six ways you can help:

1. Call your legislators—your representatives in Congress, your Senators and the White House—and express your opinions. You can find their contact info easily here. You can also use Catholic Charities USA's form, which provides language urging our representatives to reform our broken immigration system.

2. Inform yourself with facts. The misinformation about migrants and refugees is often driven by racism and fear. Listen to the stories of migrants and refugees, and encounter them as individuals. The following websites provide factual information on the issues facing people on the move and the Church's work with them:

• The Vatican's Migrant and Refugee Office
• Answers to such questions as "Why don't they come here legally?" from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Migration and Refugee Services
• Debunking myths, answers to tough questions about immigrants, an explanation of detention policies and more from The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Justice for Immigrants
• Justice for Immigrants
• Know the facts about immigrants and their contribution to Texas.

3. Help organizations who are helping the migrants now, including:

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
• Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance is seeking help from attorneys and community volunteers to provide assistance to families separated at the U.S. Mexico border. 
• Annunciation House in El Paso (not diocesan-sponsored)
• Valley Humanitarian Respite Center - Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley // To help call 956-702-4088.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Laredo
• Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) - Legal help is very important right now particularly for asylum seekers.
• Catholic Charities/USA

4. Open your home to a refugee youth. The USCCB offers a list of foster parent programs affiliated with them.

5. Advocate for migrants with friends, family and publicly. They need advocates. The voiceless need your voices.

6. Pray for them!