As part of our UU Social Justice work we have chosen to support the migrant shelter, Tierra del Oro, in Palomas, Mexico, less than 2 hours south of Silver City. What started as a small shelter for asylum seekers waiting to head north, has become a transit stop that ICE and the Border Patrol use to expel 100+ detainees every night. These guests at the shelter may only stay 2-3 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. You can read below the last three weekly posts with updated information on the shelter as well as the current needs for the migrants. If you would like to personally receive these posts, or volunteer to help with the collections or driving to Deming, 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.

 1/17/2021

Another week of unbelievable happenings! What else can occur before Biden takes office? You may have seen very recent media write-ups about Biden’s proposed immigration plan that he has ready to send to Congress (even sooner than I expected!). And on Wednesday he plans to rescind the Muslim ban. Lots of wonderful, well thought out, inclusive, welcoming policies. How quickly can the border be de-militarized? How soon will asylum seekers be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve? I don’t know…

But I do know that Deming is preparing to open their shelter! They just don’t know when. In fact, Deming is the only shelter in New Mexico that is turnkey ready to open. COVID protocols are in order and the armory is being cleaned and readied. A BIG QUESTION…are you interested in volunteering at the shelter like so many of you did in 2019? Or willing to help us pack the Go Bags at the UU building with food, water, coloring books, toys... for asylees to travel to their new sponsored homes in the US? Or have medical skills you are willing to share at the shelter in Deming? Of course, it would be AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR VACCINE, and in a safe environment. If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of these questions, please reply to this email so we can get our ducks in a row.

AND YES, we are doing a collection this Wednesday AFTER JOE BIDEN IS PRESIDENT!!!!! Don’t risk a DWI but you may throw confetti, money, treats or break out in song as you come through the line. We will be celebrating with you 🥳. The most important donations needed right now are JACKETS! All sizes for children and Small/Medium for women and men. Nights are still cold and snow is in the forecast. Also, 40” SHOELACES, LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND TOILET PAPER. If you would like to read the past 3 weeks posts they are available on our UU website uufsc.com. It might give you ideas of OTHER NEEDED SUPPLIES. Click on the Palomas 2020 link on the left side of the page.

Bring your donations on Wednesdays, 3:00-3:30, to the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You will be directed to drive straight down on either side of our delivery vehicles. HAVE YOUR DONATIONS POSITIONED IN YOUR VEHICLE SUCH THAT OUR VOLUNTEERS CAN REACH THEM WITHOUT YOU GETTING OUT. We will get you unloaded and then you can drive out easily. 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 all for never giving up hope that our country is capable of so much more than the last 4 years would suggest ~ Barbara

 1/10/2021

Never mind! The heinous new anti-asylum rules I wrote about last week, that were supposed to go into effect tomorrow, were blocked by a federal judge in California and apply nationwide. Surprisingly (to me), not because of the inhumane content but because the acting Homeland Security secretary, Chad Wolf, lacked authority to impose the sweeping rules. The judge ruled that Wolf's appointment violated an established order of succession within the department. So in addition to the senate races in Georgia, we have another reason to cheer. One less thing to have to be undone.

Last week our border project received recognition from the NM State Legislature, thanks to outgoing representative Rudy Martinez, replete with the Great Seal of the State of New Mexico! Kudos to everyone who has volunteered their time, financial resources and positive thoughts and prayers to the thousands of asylees and migrants waiting to become safe and productive members of our communities.

I know we are all reeling from the outrageous events in Washington DC last Wednesday and all the fallout. But we also have to stay vigilant with the new administration since there is so much work to be done in so many arenas.

Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/article248375875.html#storylink=cpy

This week we are requesting BLANKETS, WINTER JACKETS, MEN'S and WOMEN’S WALKING SHOES (all sizes up to 10), and 40” SHOELACES. Needed supplies also include BLEACH, SHAMPOO AND BODY WASH, and cases of CUP OF NOODLES.

Bring your donations on Wednesdays, 3:00-3:30, to the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You will be directed to drive straight down on either side of our delivery vehicles. HAVE YOUR DONATIONS POSITIONED IN YOUR VEHICLE SUCH THAT OUR VOLUNTEERS CAN REACH THEM WITHOUT YOU GETTING OUT. We will get you unloaded and then you can drive out easily. 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. Wishing you peace and kindness ~Barbara

 1/3/2021

It feels so good to write 2021! Before I get into details I urge you to read the article linked below. This is one more blow to our country’s values and ethos that our current president intends to inflict on asylum seekers on January 11th. Let’s just hope it can get nipped in the bud before implementation. Watch the news for updates on this.
"Trump’s 'Death to Asylum' Rule Will Go Into Effect Days Before He Leaves Office...Its guiding assumption is that asylum seekers are cheats and liars.” That said, let’s hope this Tuesday and Wednesday are peaceful days for our country.

 https://immigrationimpact.com/2020/12/10/trump-asylum-rule-2021/#.X-t9sNhKiUl

This week we are requesting FEMININE HYGIENE PADS, MEN'S and WOMEN’S WALKING SHOES (all sizes up to 10), BLANKETS and 40” SHOELACES. As for clothing, MENS JEANS/WORK PANTS ( 30-32-34-36 WAIST by 30-34 LENGTH), SWEATSHIRTS and SWEATPANTS for sleeping, WINTER JACKETS, HATS and GLOVES. Needed supplies also include LAUNDRY DETERGENT, DISHWASHING LIQUID and CUP OF NOODLES.

Bring your donations on Wednesdays, 3:00-3:30, to the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You will be directed to drive straight down on either side of our delivery vehicles. HAVE YOUR DONATIONS POSITIONED IN YOUR VEHICLE SUCH THAT OUR VOLUNTEERS CAN REACH THEM WITHOUT YOU GETTING OUT. We will get you unloaded and then you can drive out easily. 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. Sending you all virtual hugs ~Barbara

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