One of Rio Grande’s most prominent immigrant advocates and director of the region’s Catholic Charities, Pimentel assists with rest centers and religious havens, such as Reynosa’s Senda de Vida, on both sides of the border. People. The result in border towns is shocking. The shelters are full of desperate people. There are also tent cities where some people sleep with only tarpaulins over their heads, not knowing where their next meal will come from.
They find themselves in conditions that make vulnerable migrants – many of whom escape violence and blackmail in their home countries – easy prey for criminal organizations. But their situation may soon change: The Biden government’s recent announcement that it will lift public health restrictions at the border means that migrants may be able to cross without facing immediate deportation. More than 7,000 migrants, mostly from Central America and Haiti, are waiting in Reynosa for the removal of Title 42, according to Pimentel. He is in contact with the Port Authority of the Hidalgo International Bridge to coordinate a safe passage for them – the details are still being worked out, says Pimentel. At least once a week, Pimentel visits Senda de Vida. She does not know why the immigrants give her the notes, but she takes their stories and appeals for help to God, whom she calls “boss”.
“I’m just saying to my boss, ” They’re your people. You need to guide me and tell me what I need to do to help them. “If you think we can, show me the way,” says Pimentel. Now, there is renewed hope among those in the shelter – for an end to their anxious wait and, finally, a shot at the American dream.

Nearly 10,000 cases of violence against immigrants

Many of the migrants in the shelter were expelled by US immigration authorities at the foot of the international bridge connecting Hidalgo, Texas and Reynosa, Mexico. It is a dangerous square, according to Pimentel. “It’s a place that is not protected,” he says. “Children are not safe; they can be arrested (abducted) or the youngest can be raped.” An immigrant from El Salvador, whom CNN will call Matilde, bursts into tears talking about the square. (Pimentel asked CNN not to mention immigrants because of the dangers they face in Reynosa and their countries of origin.) A few months ago, the square was occupied by heavily armed men wearing masks, says Matilde. She describes how her 9-year-old daughter trembled with fear as the acquisition progressed. Matilda still sees her daughter responding to the trauma of that day, even though some time has passed, she adds. “Sometimes when he sleeps, he shakes and flies over fear. Believe me, we have been through so much during our trip (and) to the square,” he says. Since President Biden took office, Human Rights First has identified nearly 10,000 cases of abduction, torture, rape, or other violent assault on persons deported or deported to Mexico under Title 42.
The Trump administration implemented Title 42 in the early days of the pandemic, arguing that the policy would stop the spread of Covid-19 – a claim disputed by some public health experts. Many supporters expected President Biden to step down when he took office, given his campaign promises to build a more humane immigration system. Instead, his government has defended its controversial policy for months in court.
It was not until March 2022 – more than a year after his presidency – that officials announced that the policy would be lifted. This has sparked concern among U.S. politicians on both sides of the aisle, who fear the Biden administration does not have enough plans to handle the expected increase in immigration at the border.
But here in Reynosa, time is a major concern for asylum seekers. Immigrants are at risk every day, Pimentel says, and there is not enough shelter to keep them safe. The number of immigrants in Reynosa is fluid and changing day by day, according to Pimentel. He estimates that about 3,000 migrants are currently living in the square – some have only a tarpaulin to protect them from the elements and a little to protect them from other dangers in this border town.

Immigrants help build a new shelter while they wait

The face of a woman from Honduras is illuminated as she proudly shows her shovel.  He is part of an immigrant crew that helps Pimentel build a new, larger shelter – with a capacity of 3,000 people – while waiting for the opportunity to enter the United States.

“For me, it’s a pleasure to help others,” said the woman, whom CNN will call Nora. Nora says she left Honduras after gangs beat one of her daughters so badly that she lost the baby she was carrying. “I had to leave my house,” Nora says in a broken voice. “I do not own anything.” Wait at the border for more than a year to lift Title 42, says Nora.
Recently, he says he has noticed that the situation in Reynosa has begun to change. Previously, most immigrants to Senda were from Central America and Mexico. In recent weeks, Nora says Ukrainians have also begun arriving in Senta – and have been allowed to cross the border after waiting only a few days.
The US Department of Homeland Security recently issued a note telling border authorities to consider exempting Ukrainians from Title 42 on a case-by-case basis. This has sparked criticism that the US is pursuing double standards: letting Ukrainians in while many other desperate and deserving immigrants are forced to wait. The DHS chief denied the allegations. Nora says she has seen Ukrainians enter the United States ahead of thousands of others from Central America, Haiti and other nations who have been waiting for months. But Nora says she is not opposed to the exception. “We have only been threatened by the gangs,” Nora explains. “In Ukraine, there is a war.”

“Give us a chance”

For other immigrants, the long wait was devastating.
A woman gives Pimentel a piece of paper and bursts into tears. “I did not realize that the American dream was going to turn into that,” he says.
Pimentel listens intently as the woman explains that she left her homeland to reunite with her 17-year-old son in North Carolina. Her son, she says, wanted a better life in the US – and what else can a mother do? The woman’s words of separation are a message to President Biden: “Give us a chance.” Pimentel folds the piece of paper and puts it in a zippered bag around her neck, along with the countless other messages she has received. “I hope one can hear their story and hear the fact that they are in pain and need protection,” says Pimentel. “That’s all they ask for.” CNN’s Kathryn E. Soitz contributed to this report.