San Diego woman dedicates life to helping immigrants in Tijuana waiting for asylum

TIJUANA, Baja California — Much more Ukrainian refugees are coming across the border appropriate now, although it truly is an additional day of ready for tens of hundreds of immigrants from other nations.
CBS 8’s Shannon Helpful visited Mexico to listen to from people immigrants, as well as those people who are supporting them.

A handful of hundred feet from ‘Ped West’ in which Ukrainian refugees are processed right before coming into the United States is a creating which applied to home a bar. It is now a fall-in heart for refugees from other areas of the globe who have been waiting around months or yrs to get into the U.S. It really is identified as Madres Deportados en Accion, or Deported Moms in Action.

Maria Galleta started the center a decade in the past to support women deported from the United States.

“As an alternative of wanting for individuals in the streets, they can arrive in this article and I can assist them,” claimed Galleta.

But, more than the past couple of yrs, it is developed into a spot in which folks in search of asylum can go as they hold out, and hope for their possibility to enter into the United States.

“Around a year, more than a calendar year. The Haitians have been listed here for a longer time,” reported Galleta.

In this article, Galleta offers them garments, toiletries and foods. She also delivers lessons like English and sewing, so they can make a residing through the asylum approach.

Galleta, who life in San Diego, and commutes to Tijuana daily, has lengthy been concerned in social do the job. She’s assisted not only immigrants and refugees, but persons with AIDS and most cancers.

The commitment behind it all? The loss of her son, Rudy Junior.

“He was 18 months aged. He died from cancer,” she reported.

The aid Galleta presents has turn out to be crucial as an approximated 20,000 asylum seekers are mentioned to be residing in Tijuana.

The area’s major shelter is known as Cuidad de Dios. It’s a growing village housing 1,100 refugees, largely from Haiti and Central The usa, quite a few of them small children.

Galleta states it really is tough for her to see their faces, realizing their futures are unsure. 

A pandemic border plan acknowledged as Title 42 has set refugees’ lawful appropriate to use for asylum on keep.

The exception – Ukrainians who have been allowed in less than humanitarian parole, which supporters say is essential considering that their country is in the center of an energetic war.

Galleta stated she understands why Ukrainians can enter the U.S. She just wants far more clarity for many others wishing to do the exact.

“For me, it really is superior to know what is actually heading to transpire and nevertheless be waiting around all this lengthy, you know? To explain to them of course you qualify or no you will not qualify,” stated Galleta.

Title 42 finishes in Might, at which level Homeland Protection explained it will start processing much more promises.

As for Galleta, she’ll go on doing what she can, indicating as extensive as you will find a require, she’ll be there:

“I simply cannot improve what they’re likely through, but I can make a very little big difference with the man or woman who arrives in this area.”

View Connected: Entire Interview | Younger Ukrainians ready for asylum at U.S. border in Mexico (Apr 9, 2022)