Immigration Educational Program, Brownsville, TX.
The Immigration Education Coordinator (IEC), Ana Alicia Hinojosa, is responsible for leading the work of MCC Central States within the program area of immigration education. This includes facilitating educational workshops in Texas that are geared toward Latino/a populations. She works with constituency churches, other faith-based organizations, and agencies doing similar work. The IEC networks with the MCC’s Borderlands partners, participates in MCC’s immigration network, and works with local partners and groups to build accountability.
Response to immigrant needs in the Rio Grande Valley & Partners:
Below are the organizations, that MCC Central States is in relationship and/or partnership with in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, responding to the basic needs of families
Angry Tias & Abuelas of RGV:
MCC is a partner with The Angry Tias & Abuelas, whose mission is to advocate for dignity and justice for individuals released by Border Patrol or from ICE detention and delivered to bus depots or shelters in the Rio Grande Valley. In partnership with MCC our aim is to assure their basic health and safety needs are met.
Good Neighbor Settlement House (Brownsville, TX):
Good Neighbor offers respite care for refugees released locally by US immigration authorities to pursue their asylum cases in the United States. Refugees get help with travel logistics, local transportation, and communicating with their families. We provide snacks, hygiene kits, appropriate clothing, showers, home cooked meals, and a place to sleep overnight if needed.
Loaves and Fishes (Harlingen, TX):
Loaves and Fishes provides meals to 100’s of migrants daily and has limited space for shelter to families before providing transportation to bus stations and/or airports.
Catholic Charities Respite Center (McAllen, TX):
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley operates the Valley Humanitarian Respite Center. The center provides a place for 1000’s of men, women, children, and infant refugees to rest, have a warm meal, shower and change into clean clothing. Refugees also receive medicine and other supplies, before continuing their journey.
City of Brownsville – Office of Management and Emergency Response:
MCC and the South Texas Response Team is in relationship with the City of Brownsville as they respond to 100’s of individuals and families that are dropped off at the bus stations by government officials and/or shelters that are on their way to be united with family or friends in the U.S. People are provided with snacks, backpacks, and translation services to guide them to the correct bus and route to continue their journey.
