Migrants released on the streets of Downtown El Paso struggle to find bathrooms and showers

EL PASO, Texas– After spending several days on the streets of Downtown El Paso, some migrants are finding it difficult to take care of basic human necessities like using the bathroom and taking showers.

With local shelters at capacity, many migrants are now forced to live on the street enduring heavy rains, high temperatures and little access to public restrooms.

Some El Paso residents tell ABC-7 the smell of human waste is overwhelming in the area.

Diana, a migrant from Valenzuela, said they use the public restrooms at gas stations, but have also received help from local El Pasoans who have allowed them to use their bathroom from time to time.

Although, she said she has not had a chance to shower.

With the recent rains wetting their clothes, some migrants tell ABC-7 a shower is what they look forward to the most.

Diana said many migrants are without money and said without donations by El Pasoans, they would not have food, or even toilet paper.

Executive Director at El Paso Downtown Management District, Joe Gudenrath, said their sanitation program, geared toward keeping downtown clean, has been seeing an increase in the workload.

Gudenrath said downtown has seen more litter, illegal dumping and public urination.

He said the program was not designed to tend to a street population and has asked the city for help with additional trash cans and portable restrooms.

Gudenrath said the Downtown Management District is set to have a meeting with the City Wednesday in regards to finding a long term solution.