Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
McAllen (Agenzia Fides) - "Although the flow of Central American migrants who cross the border has declined compared to last year, this does not mean it has stopped" emphasized the Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, His Exc. Mgr. Daniel E. Flores, and Sister Norma Pimentel, director of the Center Caridades Católicas of Rio Grande Valley, after visiting, with other pastoral workers, the refugee center set up at the Sacred Heart Church in McAllen.
According to the note sent to Fides from Brownsville, the visit took place on Wednesday, May 6, and during the subsequent meeting with journalists, the will to help this group of people was reconfirmed. The Bishop explained that in Rio Grande Valley there are many families who live separated because parents leave their countries of origin to try to improve the lives of the children who remain at home. Mgr. Flores did not exclude that immigration is on the rise lately, considering the people who arrive at the refugee center every day in McAllen.
Sister Norma Pimentel added: "Immigration continues, it has not stopped, but is now rising again. Only last month we registered up to 100 immigrants a day".
This scenario derives from the need for immigrants to reunite with their families, in the hope that the long-awaited immigration reform is approved. The same Mgr. Flores highlighted that due to the absence of an agreement and the unwillingness of political parties to work together, many families continue to live divided. "In the Church we want to remind the world that the main value is to protect the family", concluded the Bishop of Brownsville. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 08/05/2015)
