Each day, individuals and families seeking asylum flee their home countries to escape violence, religious persecution, and war. In an effort to respond faithfully to the needs of our siblings-in-Christ, the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas established Immigration Ministries in 2019, to distribute factual information about the ongoing humanitarian needs at its southern border and to equip congregants with resources to welcome and embrace migrants in our communities.
In September of 2025, the newly formed Latino + Immigration Ministries was announced. Read the announcements from Bishop Angela Cortinas and Director of Latino + Immigration Ministries, Flor Saldivar.
Click here to read Bishop Cortiñas' message
Click here to read Flor Saldivar's mesage
Latino + Immigration Ministries strives to share the realities of the migrant experience, to provide education around immigration laws and policies, to support partner organizations serving migrants in our communities, and to help individuals and Episcopal congregations walk in love as we endeavor to follow Christ and serve our neighbors.
The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and Mexico share approximately 500 border miles along the Rio Grande. Individuals and Episcopal congregations are responding to the needs of people seeking asylum along the border, as well as individuals in local law enforcement, in a variety of outreach and pastoral care ministries. The following are primary initiatives in which our churches actively participate.
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church. Since 1988, EMM has resettled almost 110,000 individuals to communities across the United States. In addition to its long-standing work in refugee resettlement ministry, EMM is The Episcopal Church’s convening place for collaboration, education, and information-sharing on migration. The Diocese of West Texas' Immigration +Refugee Ministries works closely with EMM on initiatives that benefit migrants in West Texas.
Click here to learn more about Episcopal Migration Ministries.
In collaboration with neighboring border dioceses, West Texas congregations are invited to submit prayer squares, sharing messages of hope and love with migrants in our community as part of the Episcopal Prayer Square Initiative. Each completed prayer square will be distributed to migrants throughout their travels in the Diocese of West Texas.
Click here for more information about joining the Episcopal Prayer Square Initiative.
Team Brownsville volunteers help families and individuals legally seeking asylum in the United States. The team adapts to the conditions on the ground and has offered a variety of programs in the last three years to assist asylum seekers. Team Brownsville is focused on a dual mission: to continue supporting the asylum seeker community in the cities of Matamoros and Reynosa, Mexico and to welcome and support families released by US authorities into the United States at the Brownsville Bus Station. Team Brownsville assists with food, water, shelter, and basic necessities and supports a variety of legal, medical, and other services for this vulnerable population.
The Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition is a group of local citizens and agencies that united to develop an efficient way to transition refugees to their destinations upon release of federal custody through a unified and coordinated effort.
The Mission: Border Hope Resource Center is a non-profit organization that provides a safe haven for arriving CBP processed families in Maverick County.
Click here for more information about Mission: Border Hope.
The Holding Institute Community Center works in the surrounding community to strengthen opportunities: with physical, behavioral, spiritual, social, cultural, and educational initiatives.
Holding is a non-profit community center located in downtown Laredo, Texas. In relationship with the United Methodist Women and other community partners, Holding is responding to the needs of women, children, youth, and families: to encourage health & wellness, to empower education, to improve community, and to invite discipleship.
Click here to learn more
Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo (CCDOL) is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Diocese of Laredo. As a multi-program human services agency, CCDOL is a community-based organization that has been serving the people of the Diocese of Laredo, located on the Mexican-American border, serving the areas Dimmit, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Maverick, Webb, Zapata, and Zavala counties since the 1970's.
Click here to learn more
Catholic Charities Respite Center (McAllen): Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley is fully committed to the mission of helping those in need of care in our community, including immigrants. The organization's humanitarian response was initiated after seeing many immigrants dropped off by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the bus station in downtown McAllen.
Click here to follow the Latino + Immigration Ministries Facebook page.
Click here to view Latino + Immigration Ministries blog articles and events.
Director of Latino + Immigration Ministries: Flor Saldivar
Click here to subscribe to the Latino + Immigration Ministries newsletter featuring events, volunteer and learning opportunities, news, and prayer requests.
Click here to follow the Latino + Immigration Ministries Facebook page.
Click here to view Latino + Immigration Ministries blog articles and events.
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