Immigrant center hits record number of immigrants staying overnight

A recent immigrant influx and changes in immigration policy could be to blame for the unprecedented influx of overnight stays last month at a local relief center.
The immigrant relief center, which Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley opened 14 months ago at Sacred Heart Church downtown, saw nearly three times the average number of immigrants staying overnight over the last 30 days.
This recent increase has changed the way the center processes migrants and prompted Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of CCRGV, to request an additional tent, which was installed last week by city workers.
“It’s definitely put a strain on our resources,” Pimentel said. “This is a respite center and what we want is to take care for their immediate needs and they move on. So if they stay overnight, we need to work additional hours and we need additional help to take care of them.”

 

Read More: Immigrant center hits record number of immigrants staying overnight – Brownsville Herald: Valley