Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is committed to helping families by serving the poor and vulnerable, including immigrants from all walks of life.
Thousands of children and families are expected to cross the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas within the next few months. Many of these migrants are from Central America, and are fleeing violence and seeking asylum in the U.S.
Catholic Charities is committed to helping these children reunite with their families, receive legal representation, and provide a network of support services to help them create a better life for themselves.
How Catholic Charities Helps Migrant Children
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has a relationship with the Office of Refugee Resettlement to house children of refugee families. We provide care, nurturing and love to these displaced children through St. Michael’s Homes for Children and the St. Jerome Emiliani’s International Foster Care Program. Our primary program goal is family reunification, and the safety and care of our children come first in our programs.
The St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance is also helping to provide legal assistance to immigrant children that have crossed the U.S./Mexico border and are detained in the Houston area. Additionally, our Counseling and Behavioral Health Clinic provides mental health support to children facing trauma.
How you can help
DONATE
Desperate families are fleeing violence, poverty and the effects of a devastating hurricane to find a better life. These children arrive alone and scared, many don’t speak English, and they are at risk for being trafficked or enduring further trauma.
With your gift to Catholic Charities’ Cabrini Center, you can help these children reunite with their families, receive legal representation, and provide a network of support services to help them create a better life for themselves.
VOLUNTEER
Attorneys who are interested in providing direct representation to detained/released children in the Houston/surrounding area, please start the Volunteer Clearance Process by completing the online application. The Cabrini Center sends out case summaries on a monthly basis, and currently has several children on the waiting list for pro bono attorney assistance with state court and immigration matters.
Click here to access the Volunteer Houston site.
ADVOCATE
You can contact the elected official in your area and voice your opinions and concerns to end this practice of separating families. Search for your local representative here.
PRAY
Please pray for safety and wellbeing of migrant children, and for a peaceful resolution that serves immigrants with dignity.
Additional resources
- Catholic Charities’ St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance
- Houston Volunteer Lawyers
- Houston Legal Services Collaborative
- Immigrant Rights Hotline: 1-833-HOU-IMMI (468-4664)
- Immigrant Rights Hotline: 1-833-468-4664
- United States Catholic Conference of Bishops: Justice for Immigrants
- Catholic Charities USA
- Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops