Amid migration surge, Texas diocese assists nearly 4,000 Cubans

June 02, 2016

Five institutions in the Diocese of El Paso, including three parishes and a seminary, are offering shelter to a rising number of Cuban migrants.

The diocese is currently offering assistance to nearly 4,000 Cubans.

Since the 1960s, Cuban migrants who have fled the Communist nation for the United States have been granted a special immigration status. Bishop Mark Seitz called for the extension of this status to other nations, even as some lawmakers have called for its revocation.

“I know the hardships that they endured in their journey,” the prelate said, according to The Texas Tribune. “It seems only right to me that they should be given good treatment when they arrive at our borders.”

He added, “Rather than bringing them down to the level of others who arrive and are flown into jail and are abused in various ways within the system, why can’t we accept the challenge to treat all refugees who arrive at our border humanely?”

 

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Further information:

• Epílogo de la historia de los Cubanos Refugiados (Diocese of El Paso)
• Faced with influx of migrants, Texas lawmakers want to revoke favored status for Cubans (The Texas Tribune)