The Encuentro Project has welcomed 7 groups in 2021
Pause in Groups Coming to El Paso
After months without having groups for the Encuentro Project in 2021, we had two virtual “trips” before opening the doors again in August. We were able to have seven groups before closing the house again due to zoning issues. We are grateful to the Columban House, which was just reopening, to provide space to host our last groups in December. Currently we are awaiting a zoning variance and dealing with the resurgence of COVID, which means we do not have any groups scheduled until March, when hopefully these issues will be resolved.
One of the groups in 2021 was from the Diocese of Davenport, IA, composed of Bishop Thomas Zinkula, a Deacon and four Diaconate candidates, and the editor of the Diocesan newspaper. Listen to his podcast episode on the Encuentro Project below.
Current Situation on the Border
In December, the Migrant Protection Protocols (Remain in Mexico program] was reinstated at the Border. The major concerns are lack of safe shelters for MPPs returned to Juarez, inhumane treatment, exposure to extortionists/gangs, its legality, and restrictions for access to due process. In El Paso, many asylum seekers and detainees were released from detention centers to various shelters; 2,500 were housed at the Annunciation shelters the beginning of January 2022.