Catholic Charities evolves as Valley sees downward trend in border crossings

SAN JUAN — With the Trump administration’s drastic changes to immigration policy, and a steady decrease in border crossings in the Valley over the past few years, Catholic Charities of the RGV (CCRGV) has seen modifications in the services it offers.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is the organization’s passion for helping those in need.

As the Diocese of Brownsville’s charitable branch, CCRGV provides assistance to those living in poverty, and aims to lend a helping hand to Hidalgo County and surrounding areas’ most vulnerable.

The organization has operated a humanitarian respite center since 2014. It was created in response to an influx of immigrants dropped off by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the bus station in downtown McAllen.

Sister Norma Pimentel shared that 25% of CCRGV’s services since its inception was assistance to immigrants and refugees. Through coordination with CBP and city government, they offered asylum-seeking families released from federal custody warm meals, showers and clean clothing for ten years before it came to an end.

However, with their unflinching calling to help those in need, instead of closing down the center, CCRGV continues to offer these services to the those experiencing homelessness.

Pimentel explained that the reason they helped immigrant families is because they were here, in the community, and they needed a place to go rather than being out on the street. CCRGV provided a place where they could be safe, and worked with countless community members, volunteers, universities, and doctors to assist these families in their time of need.

“Our responsibility as Catholic Charities is to be present in the community where they’re the most vulnerable,” said Pimentel. “We respond to needs as they surface within our community. There will always be needs in our community, so we will continue to do that.”

Since immigration trends have continued to shift toward areas like El Paso and Eagle Pass, and the Valley is seeing fewer crossings with the local uptick in CBP, Homeland Security, and ICE presence and activity, CCRGV has evolved its services to meet current local demand.

The Humanitarian Respite Center operated by Catholic Charities RGV is seen March 13, 2025, in downtown McAllen. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

CCRGV collaborates with other charitable organizations to identify and assist communities most in need of a helping hand. For example, after the recent flooding, they partnered with the city and county government, as well as the Red Cross, to provide gift cards, shelter and thousands upon thousands of warm meals to disaster areas throughout the region.

They also reached out to the community as a whole to organize a clothing and supply drive to take some weight off the shoulders of heavily affected households.

Reynosa was hit hard by the flood, and Pimentel says many families there are still under water. Some are unable to simply cook for themselves due to the severity of the damage. CCRGV was able to send World Center Kitchen to the community, and the nonprofit is still feeding thousands of people there today, Pimentel said.

In an effort to keep people from becoming homeless, CCRGV offers rent and utility assistance, further illustrating their undeniable impact here. A portion of the gift cards donated to flood victims were specifically for rebuilding supplies.

CCRGV’s message of uplifting the most vulnerable was echoed by Bishop Daniel E. Flores at the Chrism Mass Tuesday evening at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine as he blessed the sacred oils and celebrated priesthood amongst faithful from 72 parishes and 44 mission churches.

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