Columban Ministry for Migrants program in Ciudad Juárez. Photo: Cristina Coronado
Ciudad Juárez, located on the U.S. Mexico border, across from El Paso, Texas, has become one of the most significant transit points for migrants attempting to enter the United States. Between March 2019 and January 2025, thousands of people from Latin America and the Caribbean arrived, fleeing violence, economic hardship and political instability in their home countries.
For many, Juárez became both a temporary refuge and a place of uncertainty, where the dream of reaching the United States clashed with the harsh realities of border control and immigration policies.
The city continues to face serious humanitarian challenges, despite the once-overcrowded shelters being now half-empty. There is limited medical care, a shortage of food programs and a persistent lack of resources to meet the basic needs of so many displaced individuals. Migrants often face exploitation, insecurity and emotional stress as they decide whether to stay in the city or return to their home countries. After enduring long waits and complex legal processes under strict US immigration rules, hundreds are now waiting for these bureaucratic procedures to be processed in Mexico. Residents, community groups and international organisations have stepped up to help. Churches, NGOs and volunteer networks provide food, temporary shelter, medical care and legal assistance. However, the scale of the crisis means that even these efforts are not enough. Despite the difficulties, Ciudad Juárez has become a symbol of resilience and unity.
It is a place where migrants, residents and aid organisations come together in daily acts of compassion, all struggling to survive and build a safer, more stable future. Among the many groups working in Juárez are our Columban missionaries, dedicated to evangelisation with a focus on migrants and caring for creation. For many years, Columban missionaries have supported local organisations in caring for migrants. In 2019, after seeing the growing number of families unable to cross into the United States, the Columbans decided to establish the St Columban Migrant Ministry, which launched a service guided by the four verbs proposed by Pope Francis: Welcome, Protect, Promote and Integrate.
In January 2025, with a new government in the US, many migrants chose to start a new life in Juárez after their plans to travel north were halted. While this provides a sense of stability, it also introduces significant challenges: securing suitable housing, accessing healthcare, enrolling children in school and helping families adapt to a new environment and culture. The Columbans, through our Ministry for Migrants work, have launched a program to sponsor 150 migrant children and enrol them in local schools. This ambitious effort involves more than just finding schools; it also requires preparing legal paperwork, providing uniforms, school supplies and books and even offering meals for children. Their families also receive guidance and support to help them integrate into the community.
We believe that education is key to protection and change. Keeping kids in school protects them from drug dealers, gangs and street dangers. It gives them hope: the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future. When these children are educated, loved and supported, they not only grow personally but bring light and strength to the entire community. In their smiles, we see the reflection of God's love, a reminder that every act of kindness restores dignity and renews faith in humanity.
Cristina Coronado is the Coordinator of the Columban Migrant Ministry in Juarez, Mexico.
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - May 2026
