Immigrant families detained in South Texas now in Las Cruces

A bus carrying dozens of suspected undocumented immigrants from Central America arrived Friday afternoon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral.
It’s the first group that will stay in Las Cruces. Officials with the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces expect waves of immigrants for the next 6 weeks to 6 months.

Meanwhile, local second hand stores have been flooded with donations.
Maria E. Flores, who works for the Catholic Charities Store on South Main, one of the donation centers, spoke with Abc-7.

“We have been getting donations since Monday morning,” Flores said.

The store was so overwhelmed by donations, employees were forced to use an empty lot next door to store donations.

“We had to ask the landlord if we could borrow next door, so we could donations so we wouldn’t have to mix our donations with their donations,” Flores said.

Volunteers spent much of Friday sorting bags of donations, including toiletries, diapers and clothing for the women and children.

“My supervisor took about two loads in the truck, over there to the church and today this morning I think she took one,” Flores said.

Officials with the Diocese say the event hall at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral will house at least 150 people.
Individually, each person will stay at the shelter for at least 24 to 36 hours as they figure out their next step in the United States.

It’s a step, residents like Joseph Sylvan say, they will support.

“I have the highest respect for these people, always have loved them,” Sylvan said.

There were no protestors present as the bus arrived in Las Cruces, as in other cities. Abc-7 did speak to several residents Friday who oppose the arrival.
They did not want to speak on camera, but they say they believe housing the families is a huge expense to taxpayers.