Bishop Seitz, HOPE Border Institute announce ‘B​order Refugee Assistance Fund’​

On Monday, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso and Dylan Corbett,  executive director of the HOPE Border Institute, announced the launch of a new emergency fund, the ‘Border Refugee Assistance Fund’, to assist migrants stranded at the US-Mexico border.

Thousands of migrants, mostly from Central America, are currently stranded in Ciudad Juárez, across the border from El Paso.

These migrants have been returned to Ciudad Juárez as a  result of the Migration Protection Protocols, commonly known as Remain in Mexico.

“The need in Juarez is  tremendous,” Bishop Seitz said, “Churches and community-led initiatives there are doing everything possible to feed, clothe and offer shelter to thousands of migrant families fleeing desperate conditions and looking for safety  and refuge. Here we have a real opportunity to serve Christ in the migrant.”

Grants from the fund will be used to support the initiatives and shelters providing for the  immediate humanitarian needs of migrants in Ciudad Juárez, the majority of which have been  organized by faith communities.

Dylan Corbett, executive director of HOPE, added, “We are proud to partner with Bishop Seitz  for this critical opportunity to support migrants at the US-Mexico border. Faith communities and  individuals across the country have asked how they can help at the border and this is a concrete way to  make a difference in the lives of migrant families in need.”

More details and information on how to donate to the fund may be found at the Diocese of El  Paso’s webpage.