Las Cruces shelter prepares to welcome migrants to alleviate burden on El Paso

LAS CRUCES, NM (KFOX14) — As migrants continue to arrive in the Borderland, El Paso’s shelters are quickly reaching capacity. As a result, Las Cruces shelters are preparing to help alleviate some of the burden.

El Calvario United Methodist Church is just one location preparing to help house migrants in Las Cruces.

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New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich toured the facility Wednesday afternoon.

“We're starting the process of meeting with the sorts of religious organizations, nonprofits, and others who can help address those refugee needs on an on the ground basis, and make sure that we have, that we're not caught flat footed, that we have the capacity to do that in a humane and legal and efficient way,” he said.

Heinrich said he wanted to ensure the shelter is prepared to address the needs of migrants. He said he believes New Mexico is more ready now because of past experiences and more proactive preparations.

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An exact date for when the shelter will start bringing in migrants hasn’t been set. Heinrich said he anticipates the need will continue for a while.

“Until we address the root challenges that we have in Central America, there are going to continue to be waves of refugees, and I think our challenge is coming up with just doing the work and the logistics, on how you address refugees in a way that is responsible and humane and legal and orderly,” he said.

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