On a cold Wednesday morning in Mexico City, warmth is provided by the pots of rice and meat set up by church volunteers. A line of men, women, and children, holding empty containers, waits for breakfast.
These individuals, from Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti, and even Africa and Asia, are all en route to the United States. They speak of their aspirations, recounting the arduous journey they’ve endured, accompanied by loud music echoing through the Parroquía de la Soledad.
This 16th-century church, built for a few hundred parishioners, now offers refuge to thousands seeking shelter from the elements or when nearby camps overflow. Here, they receive meals, distributed by Father Benito Torres, who leads the humanitarian effort.
Father Benito mentions that they feed about 800 to 1,000 people daily, primarily Venezuelans, Angolans, Haitians, and Central Americans. The church is adjacent to a growing tent camp, visible from its pews, where migrants await appointments through the CBP One app or consider illegal crossings into the US.
Venezuelan Maria, residing in the camp for months with her children, logs into the app daily, hoping for an appointment. She fears increased difficulty entering the US after January 20, with rumors of stricter policies under Trump.
Father Benito, aware of the stress and uncertainty surrounding migrants’ futures, acknowledges that some are contemplating staying in Mexico. He is in talks with local authorities to create shelters and permanent solutions, recognizing that many migrants may never reach the US.
Source: NOS