In May 2019 our UU congregation began supporting the Deming NM shelter for asylum seekers on their way to sponsors. We were a collection site for our county. With those donations we packed food travel bags (GoBags) as well as sent clothing, medical supplies and food for the shelter. All of that ceased in fall 2019 when the border was “shut,” and the Remain in Mexico (MPP) was strictly enforced.

In June 2020 we reactivated our UU Social Justice work to support the migrant shelter, Tierra del Oro, in Palomas, Mexico, 2 hours south of Silver City. What started as a small shelter for asylum seekers waiting to head north, became a transit stop that ICE and the Border Patrol use to expel dozens of detainees every day. These guests at the shelter may only stay 1 or 2 days but most are in dire need of food, sleep and first aid before they decide where to go next. At our UU building we have a weekly collection of supplies for the shelter every Wednesday afternoon. These supplies are transported to Deming, NM and then sent across the border by officially sanctioned individuals.

In February 2021 we began, once again, to pack GoBags in anticipation of the Deming shelter re-opening for asylum seekers once Title 42 (preventing anyone from entering the US due to COVID 19) eases. We continue to pack at least 200 bags a week as well as continue to supply the shelter in Palomas. What we are able to do is dependent on donations from our wider community, both locally and nationally.

Our role will evolve as border policies evolve. You can read below the last three weekly posts with updated information on Palomas and Deming, as well as the current needs for the migrants and asylees. If you would like to personally receive these posts, contact Barbara Gabioud at bgabioud@gmail.com.

Additional note to our UU listserv: If you would like to help us on a collection Wednesday or be a driver to Deming, please let me know.  The generosity of our community will warm your heart. 

Note:  Driven by the hope for a better future, many migrants who are being expelled from the US will continue to try to re-enter, regardless of the dangers and hardships they face.

10/17/2021

Several of you have nudged me to watch the 2019 movie The River and the Wall. I finally did it. It’s a spectacular human and visual tribute to the Rio Grande as a group of young people set out to bicycle, canoe, horseback ride and walk the 1200 miles from El Paso to the Gulf; and contrast it with the attempts to build a border wall along the way. It’s free to watch on Tubi. You will thank me.

And if you’re confused about what you’ve been hearing in the news lately about border travel reopening, MPP (Remain in Mexico) starting up again, and Title 42 (public health order expulsions), I’m right there with you. So instead of trying to explain it I’m quoting from the weekly border update from WOLA (Washington Office on Latin America).

"Mexico has not yet agreed to take back migrants subject to the Remain in Mexico program. IT HAS NOT REFUSED EITHER… 'Mexico will continue the dialogue.’

"If the Biden administration finds itself implementing both Remain in Mexico and Title 42 at the same time, a possible result might be a two-tier system in which Mexico’s border towns receive two classes of non-Mexican migrants. The first class would be citizens of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, who might be expelled under the public health authority without even a chance to seek asylum. The second would be Spanish or Portuguese-speaking residents of “other” countries, many of whom have been arriving in greater numbers lately: Brazilians, Colombians, Cubans, Ecuadorians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Right now, Mexico does not accept citizens of these countries as Title 42 expulsions—but under a revived “Remain in Mexico” program, Mexico might receive them as people with pending asylum cases. Those from Mexico and the northern triangle would not have pending asylum cases due to Title 42.” All clear now, right? But here’s what we can actually do to make a difference...

This Wednesday, October 20th IS a collection day!

The 200 GoBags of food we pack each week include: CRACKER PACKS, 16 OZ BOTTLES OF WATER, WELCH’S FRUIT SNACKS, GRANOLA/BREAKFAST BARS, and cans (4.6 oz) of VIENNA SAUSAGES. We also need 1 GALLON ZIPLOCK BAGS for packing them.

Hygiene bags are being given out along with our GoBags and need travel size SOAPS, DEODORANTS, RAZORS, SHAMPOO, FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS, TOOTHPASTES AND TOOTHBRUSHES.

Medical needs: ALLERGY AND COLD MEDICINES, ROLLS OF GAUZE AND GAUZE PADS, POVIDONE IODINE SWABSTICKS, TYLENOL FOR CHILDREN, IBUPROFEN and INDIVIDUAL PACKETS OF ELECTROLYTES (Amazon and Walmart).

More recent needs for asylum seekers (lots of kiddos) include BACKPACKS, DUFFEL BAGS, DIAPERS sizes 3-6, BABY WIPES, DIAPER CREAM, FORMULA ( SMALL CANS) SIMILAC or NIDO, BABY BOTTLES, BABY/KID CLOTHES NB TO SIZE 4, BABY/KID SHOES UP TO SIZE 4

Additional Food: CUP-OF-NOODLES

Clothing: MEN’S JEANS, SHIRTS AND SHOES in small sizes are the most needed clothing items at this time. And long SHOELACES.

Other supplies: DISPOSABLE GLOVES, LAUNDRY DETERGENT, SCISSORS AND ELECTRIC RAZORS FOR HAIRCUTS.

We collect donations on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 3:00-3:30, at the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You can drive straight down on either side of our collection vehicles. We will get you unloaded and then you can drive out easily. If you are bringing any of the above GoBag items, please let the crew unloading your car know about them. We will put them inside for packing rather than send them to Deming to be transferred to Palomas. PLEASE WEAR A MASK.

To contribute financially you may mail checks made out to UUFSC (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City) with Border in the memo line to UUFSC, PO Box 4034, Silver City, NM 88062. Thank you ~ Barbara

10/11/2021

Just so it gets said outloud HAITIANS ARE NOT BRINGING AIDS. Despite what you may have heard…

Lots of young kids waiting in Palomas. In fact more kids than adults right now! Our next collection date is Wednesday, October 20th.

Colores United in Deming is active in assisting asylum seekers and is requesting contributions that now include BACKPACKS, DUFFLE BAGS, size 3 and size 6 DIAPERS, WIPES, DIAPER CREAM, FORMULA ( SMALL CANS) SIMILAC or NIDO, BABY BOTTLES, BABY/KID CLOTHES NB TO SIZE 4, BABY/KID SHOES UP TO SIZE 4, and as always SHOELACES.

Colores United is also asking for UNUSED CELL PHONES, LAPTOPS OR TABLETS taking up space; you should make sure all personal info has been stripped before contributing them. The Deming Rancho Fundraising Campaign will begin on 10/15/2021. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to serve with them!

The GoBags of food we pack include: CRACKER PACKS, 16 OZ BOTTLES OF WATER, WELCH’S FRUIT SNACKS, GRANOLA/BREAKFAST BARS, and cans (4.6 oz) of VIENNA SAUSAGES. We could also use 1 GALLON ZIPLOCK BAGS for packing them.

Hygiene bags are being given out along with our GoBags and need travel size SOAPS, DEODORANTS, RAZORS, SHAMPOO, FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS, TOOTHPASTES AND TOOTHBRUSHES.

Medical needs: ALLERGY AND COLD MEDICINES, ROLLS OF GAUZE AND GAUZE PADS, POVIDONE IODINE SWABSTICKS, TYLENOL FOR CHILDREN, IBUPROFEN and INDIVIDUAL PACKETS OF ELECTROLYTES (Amazon and Walmart).

Additional Food: CUP-OF-NOODLES

Clothing: MEN’S JEANS, SHIRTS AND SHOES in small sizes are the most needed clothing items at this time.

Other supplies: DISPOSABLE GLOVES, LAUNDRY DETERGENT We collect donations on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 3:00-3:30, in the parking lot of the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City.

To contribute financially you may mail checks made out to UUFSC (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City) with Border in the memo line to UUFSC, PO Box 4034, Silver City, NM 88062. Thank you ~ Barbara

10/2/2021

There wasn’t a win for asylum seeking families yesterday regarding Title 42 as we had all hoped. But in the last week southern New Mexico HAS received hundreds of immigrants at our shelters! NM has finally stepped up to help with the work other border states have been doing for months and months.That means the shelters are now able to receive their FEMA funds going forward.

This Wednesday, October 6th IS a collection day!

Colores United in Deming is active in assisting stateside asylum seekers and is requesting a much expanded list of contributions that now includes BACKPACKS, DUFFLE BAGS, DIAPERS, WIPES, DIAPER CREAM, FORMULA ( SMALL CANS) SIMILAC or NIDO, BABY BOTTLES, MULTICULTURAL DOLLS (ANY SHADE OF BROWN), BABY/KID CLOTHES UP TO SIZE 4, BABY/KID SHOES UP TO SIZE 4, GAS CARDS, PRELOADED $20 DEBIT CARDS, WALMART GIFT CARDS new or gently used CELL PHONES, LAPTOPS, TABLETS, and as always SHOELACES.

The GoBags of food we pack include: CRACKER PACKS, 16 OZ BOTTLES OF WATER, WELCH’S FRUIT SNACKS, GRANOLA/BREAKFAST BARS, and cans (4.6 oz) of VIENNA SAUSAGES.

In Palomas there is still a large group of asylum seeking families waiting. Their special requests for this week’s collection are LARGE POTS AND PANS, and a SHARPENING STEEL FOR KNIVES. They are giving out hygiene bags along with our GoBags and can use travel size SOAPS, DEODORANTS, RAZORS, SHAMPOO, TOOTHPASTES AND TOOTHBRUSHES. We collect donations on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 3:00-3:30, at the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You can drive straight down on either side of our collection vehicles. We will get you unloaded and then you can drive out easily. If you are bringing any of the above GoBag items, please let the crew unloading your car know about them. We will put them in the building for packing rather than send to Deming to be transferred to Palomas.

To contribute financially you may mail checks made out to UUFSC (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City) with Border in the memo line to UUFSC, PO Box 4034, Silver City, NM 88062. Thank you ~ Barbara

 https://www.borderreport.com/hot-topics/immigration/border-towns-struggle-with-the-thousands-of-migrants-immediately-deported-under-cdc-order/