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Migrant shelters on the border brace for proposed mass deportations

JUAREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) -- El Buen Samaritano, or The Good Samaritan, is a migrant shelter in Juárez. It is part of the migrant shelter network, which has around 25 shelters in the city.

ABC-7 spoke with its Pastor Juan Fierro today, who said there is a concern over a rise in migrant population if the Remain in Mexico policy returns or if mass deportations start on the border soon.

"The immigration phenomenon increased in recent years, every time migrants came demanding more than they used to, asking to be cared for and helped," said Pastor Fierro.

Pastor Fierro also stated his shelter has seen a decrease in the migrant population since last year. His shelter can house up to 150 to 180 people, it currently has only 17.

"Shelters during this time in other years I've had 100, 120 people, right now we have 17. So what is happening? They (Mexican federal agencies) are probably stopping the migratory flow now to be able to assist the possible deportees that are announced when President Trump begins deporting them," Pastor Fierro mentioned.

But he and his shelter have other concerns now.

"And we see it, for example, I believe that within the migrant surges that have occurred recently, we have seen people who perhaps have dedicated themselves to crime because they have very, very bad attitudes," Pastor Fierro said.

One of his fears is that once mass deportations start, his shelter could see more migrant population with previous criminal history, as he has seen on different occasions before.

Pastor Fierro believes Juárez will see more deportees staying in Juárez and looking for life opportunities along the border; others could or might go to other states in Mexico.

"On the other hand, people who come here from the south looking for a way to enter the United States, and if 'Remain in Mexico' is reinstated, then we would have to give them the time they need to have their immigration process," Pastor Fierro added.

For Pastor Fierro and other shelter directors in Juárez, shutting down CBP One, bringing back 'Remain in Mexico' and not taking any asylum requests in the U.S. could be harmful to the border, not only for migrants stranded in Mexico.

"If there is no political asylum, then there is no reason to have 'Remain in Mexico.' On the other hand, it is contradictory to talk about an immigration process when he is going to expel many immigrants from different nations, he is going to take them out of the U.S., and then be able to receive people. It is a contradiction for me," Pastor Fierro said.

Migrants staying at the shelter also told ABC-7 they feel sad and helpless after the CBP One App program was shut down early Monday and don't know what they will do next.

Gloria is a Guatemalan migrant who has lived in Mexico for nearly 20 years now, she has spent her last 11 months in Juárez and at 'El Buen Samaritano' shelter.

"We heard that he (President Trump) doesn't want anyone, he doesn't want any of us anymore. Rather, we are going to see deportations and it is very sad," Gloria said.

Gloria waited for the last year to get a CBP One appointment and she never got it.

On Monday, Gloria and her daughter realized that their chance to cross into the United States was over and now they are figuring out what they will do since they have no idea about their future.

Article Topic Follows: On the Border

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Heriberto Perez

Heriberto Perez Lara reports for ABC-7 on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

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