Why couldn’t Biden do this?
Under the leadership of President Trump, migrant shelters in Texas have seen a sharp decrease in the number of people they serve, following successful policies that effectively secured the southern border. At the height of the border crisis, these shelters were overwhelmed, accommodating nearly 1,000 individuals daily. Now, thanks to the Trump administration’s hard stance on immigration and effective border control measures, these same facilities are operating at drastically reduced capacity.
According to reports from The Texas Tribune, shelters along the Texas-Mexico border have been nearly empty in recent months. Since Trump assumed office again in January, the number of migrants arriving at shelters has plummeted. For example, the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which operates a respite center in McAllen, Texas, is now receiving fewer than 12 people a day. This marks a stunning drop from January, when the center housed over 3,000 individuals. With the trend continuing into February, the center is expected to serve fewer than 350 people this month.
Migrant shelters provide critical support, offering food and shelter to individuals dropped off by Customs and Border Protection after being processed. However, as migrant arrivals decrease, many of these shelters are beginning to close. Ruben Garcia, director of Annunciation House, a prominent El Paso-based shelter network, revealed that fewer than 40 people are currently staying in their shelters, and with the numbers dropping further, he anticipates shutting down several more locations in the coming weeks.
These declines in migrant numbers can largely be attributed to the Trump administration’s efforts, including the sealing of the border, stricter enforcement policies, and collaboration with the Mexican government to curb illegal crossings. Even under Biden, when policies like denying asylum for migrants crossing between ports of entry were implemented, the reduction in numbers was still noticeable, leading to closures of shelters in places like El Paso and San Antonio.
Shelter staff, such as Sister Norma Pimentel from Catholic Charities in McAllen, have had to make difficult decisions, including staff reductions, as a result of the reduced demand. With a smaller number of migrants arriving each day, resources have been scaled back, and some shelters are expected to close completely in the near future. The sharp drop in numbers signals that the border security measures put in place under Trump are not only effective but have also substantially reduced the strain on these shelters.