Faced with COVID criticism, Catholic Charities defends ministry to migrants | Catholic National Register

[ad_1]

MCALLEN, Texas Catholic Charities defended its ministry to migrants on Thursday, amid criticism that one of its member agencies is acting recklessly regarding the pandemic.

Texas state and local officials recently warned of high rates of COVID-19 among undocumented migrants at the US-Mexico border; a recent state ordinance restricted the activities of volunteers who work with migrants, including at Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley in the border town of McAllen.

In response, Catholic Charities USA and the Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops are advocating for the immigration work of Catholic Charities member agencies.

Catholic Charities staff and volunteers have the utmost concern for the health of the communities in which they live and are doing all they can to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19, said an Aug. 12 joint statement from the Bishops of Texas and of Catholic Charities.

They are working with government officials to separate individuals and families who test positive to allow isolation until a negative test is returned, the statement continued.

When migrants are released by federal agents after entering the United States at McAllen, they are usually sent to Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley for transitional care, the organization said.

This care is linked to the dignity that we believe should be accorded each person a hot meal, a shower, clean clothes, medicine and other supplies, the statement said. Migrants typically stay with Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley for two days, before moving to another city to await court proceedings.

In addition, Catholic Charities member agencies work with other groups to meet the special needs of certain migrants, such as victims of trafficking.

Some local and state officials have warned that undocumented immigrants have contributed to the spread of COVID-19 in areas bordering Texas.

On August 4, the town of McAllen, Texas, on the US-Mexico border, announced that it had approved additional emergency shelter to better handle the influx of migrants.

The existing respite center was overwhelmed and was receiving more than 1,900 migrants per day at the end of July, the city said, far exceeding the center’s reception of 750 migrants per day earlier this month.

This important [migrant] the change increases the threat of the spread of COVID or other lawlessness in the city, the city commission said, noting that federal immigration officials said they have released more than 7,000 COVID-positive immigrants in the city since mid-February.

A recent state order banned anyone other than law enforcement from transporting undocumented migrants, ordering police to stop or impound any vehicle suspected of transporting migrants. Governor Greg Abbott, R, cited the pandemic as a concern, warning that buses full of migrants were being transported around Texas with an unknown number of COVID-19 cases among them.

Meanwhile, in nearby Mission, Texas, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe was forced to close its overflow shelter for migrants after a woman tested positive for COVID-19 on August 4. . The facility is slated to reopen on August 16, and serves approximately 300 families per night.

A Department of Homeland Security document said 18% of migrant families and 20% of unaccompanied children tested positive for COVID-19 during the last half of July and early August.

On July 29, Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley said Abbotts’ ordinance would severely restrict her ministry, and noted that she had taken care to isolate COVID-positive migrants, placing them in hotels at her expense. .

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has also partnered with American Medical Response to provide COVID testing to migrants in McAllen, the city noted on August 4.

Catholic Charities’ work with migrants is rooted in the gospel and in Catholic social teaching, said the August 12 joint statement from Catholic Charities USA and the Bishops of Texas.

However, Catholic Charities admitted they were concerned about their ability to deal with the growing number of newcomers.

The immigration system in the United States is in urgent need of overhaul, the statement said. While these laws and trajectories remain beyond our control, Catholic Charities humanitarian work continues in full compliance with US law.

On July 28, Fox News host Brian Kilmede also criticized Catholic Charities’ work with migrants, complaining that the donations would help other people from other countries who come here to America illegally. He asked if the group was ethically challenged.

The agency’s work is humanitarian and not political, Catholic Charities said Thursday.

Agencies along the southern border of the United States, including in Texas, and across the country have provided these services in coordination with the federal government for decades through several presidential administrations.

Catholic Charities explained that immigration and refugee services have been part of the organization since its founding over a century ago, and that the organization works alongside federal agencies and other organizations to non-profit to meet the needs of migrants.

Catholic Charities said she was grateful for the chance to work in border communities, so that together we can serve those in need and keep our local communities safe.

We commend the tireless efforts of Catholic Charities member agencies at the border and across the country in their ministry with migrants, the national organization said.

With ever-changing conditions, increased border crossings, limited facilities, media attention and pressures from regulatory efforts to restrict their humanitarian work, they continue to take care of one human life at a time, whether it is a fearful child, a parent seeking to support their family, or a potential victim of human trafficking, Catholic Charities said.

By caring for the stranger, they are the hands of Jesus Christ.

[ad_2]