Asylum & Border Services
War. Gangs. Pervasive harassment or discrimination. Corruption. Sexual violence. Humanitarian crises in countries worldwide force thousands of people to leave home in search of safety for themselves or their children. Many seek asylum in the United States.
In any major crisis, the toll is heaviest on our most vulnerable neighbors. The U.S.-Mexico border is no exception; women, children and people from marginalized communities arrive with urgent needs. They are in search of a warm place to sleep, good food to eat, a chance to bathe and somewhere to take a breath. That’s where CWS’s shelter partners come in. After people seeking asylum are released from U.S. custody, respite shelters welcome them with open arms. They meet all these needs and help guests call their loved ones to tell them that they are safe and finally free from detention. People seeking asylum usually spend only a few hours to a day at these shelters as they prepare to take their next steps.
Asylum seekers then aim to reunite with their loved ones nationwide. CWS helps ensure that they have what they need, no matter where they choose to start their lives over again in. Timely and accurate information is critical to counter the rampant rumor mill. As they settle into their new communities, people seeking asylum can call our national hotline to ask any questions they may have. Our specialists connect them to housing, legal, medical and mental health, social services and other resources.
Everyone deserves the chance to live a peaceful life. We’re proud to be a beacon of light helping those seeking asylum navigate their journey to safety protection and achieve a purposeful life.
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Latest Updates
A Border Visit Inspires a New Advocate
Last November, CWS volunteer and advocate, Laura Stoner, was spending some time in Colorado when she was invited by her church, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, to participate in a pilgrimage to the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso. When Laura said yes to the invitation, she didn’t know the profound experience and new connections that awaited her. Originally from another border …
Touring CWS Shelter Partners on the U.S.-Mexico Border
My name is Juan Gamboa, and I serve as a Program Manager in the CWS Border and Asylum Team. I’m based in Harlingen, Texas, a small city near the U.S.-Mexico border. I was born and raised in Harlingen, and its proximity to the southern border has made immigration a part of my everyday life. Many people believe that the border …
Ramona Finds Her Voice and The Opportunity for a Better Life
Note before reading: This story includes references to sexual assault and kidnapping. Like many Cubans, Ramona lived in her country under constant fear. She worked at a small restaurant to sustain her son and was silenced whenever she tried to express her thoughts about the government. “I was treated badly there because I didn’t agree with how things were done. …