EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — The number of migrants arrested that the border has slowed to a trickle since President Donald Trump took office, and the shelters and nonprofits that help them are now mostly empty.
One such center is the Humanitarian Respite Center in downtown McAllen, Texas. During the previous administration, the center took in hundreds of people who were released daily by the Department of Homeland Security.
The center provides weary migrants with a meal, a shower, and place to rest as well as a change of clothes and some toiletries before they continue on their journey.
But the Trump administration has significantly limited asylum and stopped granting parole, in addition to slashing funding to nonprofits and migrant advocacy groups that operate along the border.
The Respite Center is run by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, and on today’s episode of Border Report Live, the executive director of the organization will speak with correspondent Sandra Sanchez about the changes and challenges she’s dealing with under the second Trump administration.
Pimentel’s work stretches far beyond Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. She’s testified before Congress and the United Nations, and it’s not uncommon for her to travel to the Vatican to meet with the pope. She most recently traveled there to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
Pimentel is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and even a special medal by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Catholic Church and society. Two years ago she received a special humanitarian award from the U.N. She’s also spoken to past presidents and multiple congressional delegations including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who came and toured her Humanitarian Respite Facility in McAllen. She received the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Award for Service given at the Kennedy Center in 2018.
In March, the president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) awarded her the 2025 Advocate Award who they called our quote “Saint on Earth” at their LULAC National Unity Awards Gala.
Related reporting:
- With fewer migrants arriving, McAllen shelter spending less federal funds
- Pope Francis encourages South Texas nun to help the unfortunate
- Lawmaker: Fed funds threatened for migrant assistance programs under GOP-led Congress
- Migrant girl who lost legs on Mexican train, family get donations for flight to Tennessee
- Trump could target border shelters that relieved pressure during migrant surges
- Head of renowned migrant center wants to work with new administration
Join the award-winning Border Report team Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Thursdays at 3 p.m. CT at borderreport.com for a weekly, live, in-depth discussion about people living, working and migrating along the U.S.-Mexico border.
You can also watch past episodes of the Border Report Live, highlighting not only immigration and border security, but cartel violence in Mexico and the countries’ ongoing water dispute on the border.
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