Over 500 Cuban migrant families are headed to El Paso right now. Find out why and how you can help them adjust to life in America.

More Cuban immigrants are arriving in Juarez and then entering the United States through the Paso Del Norte port of entry. About 500 Cuban families have been processed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are issued an I-94 parole document. This document allows them to be in the United States legally and is usually given for urgent humanitarian reasons. An I-94 is valid for two years and after one year they can apply for permanent U.S. residency under the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act.

The Houchen Community Center is picking these families up at the border and taking them to the community center. The families began arriving yesterday at the center, which is the 1st contact for them in the United States. Some people will be picked up by their families that already live in the United States, others will take planes and buses to reach their final destinations, while some could be with the Houchen Community Center for up to 8 weeks.

The Houchen Community Center is asking for donations of necessities for these families that are coming into the El Paso area.

Some of the items they need:

  • Diapers
  • clothes (any size, children and adult)
  • shoes (any size, children and adult)
  • non-perishable items (dry food, canned food)
  • shampoos, conditioner
  • soap
  • baby formula
  • diapers (2 years and older size)
  • towels
  • hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush etc)
  • blankets
  • pillows
  • other necessity items

If you are able to donate any of the above items, please bring them to the Houchen Community Center at 609 S. Tays Street in El Paso. You can also find out more information at (915) 532-1231.

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