Migrants walk in a line to a van outside the Migrant Resource Center on San Pedro Avenue.Photo Credit: Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News
This past April, the lone Republican on the San Antonio City Council, Marc Whyte, brought the existence of the San Antonio migrant shelter into public discourse when he told KLRN that he thought it should be closed because it attracts migrants to the city.
On April 20, 2024, the San Antonio Express-News carried an article that widened the debate. On May 9, 2024, the paper followed up with an editorial opinion titled “The Migrant Resource Center brings Necessary Order.”
At any time, the Migrant Resource Center, a vital resource in our community, could formally be challenged in City Council. Let’s ensure that our representatives understand the significant role this shelter plays and that there are many residents who support the city maintaining it.
“Take 5” minutes to write a brief email to our city council reps expressing your support for the Migrant Resource Center. Find your city council representative’s e-mail address here and let them know they have constituents who stand behind this city effort.
The e-mail could be as simple as:
“I want you to know that I support the city’s having a Migrant Shelter as your constituent.”
You could add your reasons or keep it that brief. Some of us may want to give an example of our interactions with the Migrant Resource Center or may want to mention that we volunteer with the IWC. The more personal we make it, the less it will look like a campaign. You can use this letter to the editor from IWC’s Rebecca Flores as an example.
Consider adding that if your council member wants more information, you are willing to speak with them.
