Non Profit Leadership

As the migrant surge at the southern border continues, Albuquerque is preparing for buses of migrants coming from Texas to be dropped off in the city. “What I know is that they will not be bused directly to the shelter. But they are being managed by the Office of Equity and Inclusion,” said Connie Chavez, a spokesperson with the nonprofit shelter Heading Home. Chavez told KOAT they’re working closely with the city of Albuquerque to prepare for the potential arrival of migrants. “We would be providing them direction, a pathway to resources. So resources they need if they are seeking asylum, they’ll have information on how to get in contact with the resettlement office and things like that,” said Chavez.The reason buses could be headed our way is from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s “Operation Lone Star.” That would alleviate the stress that Texas border communities are facing with the latest surge. “What’s going on is unsustainable. It’s a crisis, it’s chaotic, and it must stop,” said Abbott.Cities like El Paso are seeing their shelters at capacity. “We’re seeing about 1 to 2000 a day. So that’s a lot of people that are being released into the community. A lot of them are brand new to the country. Of course, they don’t know where to go. As we know, El Paso is not their final destination,” said Enrique Dueas-Aguilar, the spokesperson for El Paso’s Office of Emergency Management.According to Aguilar, El Paso has not sent any busses of migrants to Albuquerque. But did confirm that the state has listed Albuquerque as a potential drop-off.”Texas Department of Emergency Management, we know they added some of the destinations. And among some of them, we have seen that Albuquerque is mentioned,” said Aguilar.KOAT asked Aguilar if Albuquerque should begin to set up emergency shelters like El Paso has.”I can only speak about our own experience. But yeah, the city of El Paso, by providing these emergency shelters, we’re able to take some of the pressure off the system,” said Aguilar.The city of Albuquerque did provide us with this statement:The City of Albuquerque has not received any further details regarding the Texas Governor’s plans to bus migrants to Albuquerque. The City of Albuquerque supports the efforts of faith-based groups and non-profit organizations who work with migrants year-round, and we will continue to respond with compassion to the needs to migrants passing through the city and provide emergency assistance, which is reimbursable by FEMA.