Annual Report 2022 | Border Network for Human Rights

Human Rights For ANNUAL REPORT•2022

MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NOW IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THIS HORRIFIC PANDEMIC,

the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) still feels the constraints

community organizing and national advocacy strategies. Although, the BNHR never stopped its community work during these last few years.

The presential, one-on-one community education and leadership development plans did not occur in the ordinary, expeditious ways we were accustomed to in the pre-pandemic era. The pace of our national advocacy work changed in the form of fewer community educational delegations to meet in person with policymakers in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. Instead, more advocacy events and actions were carried-out through virtual and online mechanisms. BNHR understood very early, at the beginning of the pandemic, the need to expand and consolidate the knowledge of digital and online tools to continue to advance our organization’s goals in such conditions. Adapting and getting used to new forms of communication

The neighborhood Human Rights Committees, where families and members of BNHR organize and participate, became virtual, and the unthinkable happened. Farmworker families from Southern New Mexico were now connecting, learning, discussing, and making decisions regarding the BNHR plans and campaigns through the online platform, Zoom. This was something we could not even imagine before the pandemic.

The communications and planning of our organizing and leadership teams

advocacy, community organizing, and education plans. Public events typically done presential have now been organized virtually and digitally. Press

human rights reports, and even our Annual Membership Assembly were done virtually or have strong virtual elements. Yes, we were able to adapt and invest more funds and resources to make the technology available to every level of the BNHR structure. However, we all know that actions, community education, and community organizing will always need personal contact, face-to-face, element to succeed. At the end of 2022, and with the pandemic under some control, we are now transitioning into a hybrid model where technological tools are mixed presential format.

Fernando Garcia

•Left: Executive Director, Fernando Garcia speaking at a Community March.

REGIONAL CAMPAIGNS

We

are part of the Solution

The Border Network for Human Rights general purpose is to facilitate the education, the organizing and the participation of marginalized border communities to defend and promote human and civil rights; to the end that these communities work to create political, economic, and social conditions where every human being is equal in dignity and rights.

The BNHR has three ongoing campaigns -Comprehensive immigration reform; Accountable and responsible border policy; and Protection and Promotion of civil and human rights.

The strength of the BNHR lies in its grassroots organizing and its willingness to work within the system to combat human rights and civil rights abuses, and to bring about change to our broken immigration system. BNHR members can speak firsthand of the suffering of immigrants under current laws, and now have the tools to advocate for reform.

•Rosa Avila, BNHR Board Member and Coordinator photographed during Day of the Dead Remembrance Event.

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE BREAKING THE SILENCE

The El Paso Police Department (EPPD) has an extensive, disturbing history of abuse of power and police misconduct practices that have been happening for years with impunity. Their brutality and excessive use of force continue to be rampant, especially against people of color, immigrants, and people with vulnerable mental health living in El Paso.

In the summer of 2020, the BNHR launched the El Paso Police Department Accountability Task Force (EPPD ATF) amid the national outcry for justice and the transformation of policing institutions following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black and Brown people at the hands of law enforcement. As a project of BNHR, the EPPD Accountability Task Force calls for an independent

civilian-led commission via city ordinance to oversee and overhaul the EPPD. The EPPD Task Force is committed to bringing transparency and accountability to El Paso law enforcement practices and building a peoplecentered policy approach to ensure community safety.

TASK FORCE CO-CHAIRS:

Pastor Michael Grady | Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship

Avemaria Smart | The Links, Incorporated

Diane Williams | Top Ladies of Distinction

MEASURABLE PROGRESS:

The El Paso Police Accountability Task Force not only engaged communities and allies in multiple dialogues, events and actions but was able to substantively engage with the City of El Paso. BNHR Task-Force made recommendations in regard to internal police reform and accountability that are included in the final report that the city’s Cross-Functional Team will present to the City Council.

• Policy Director, Samantha Singleton, presenting to community members during Policy Accountability Town Hall.

ABUSE DOCUMENTATION CAMPAIGN

BEHIND EVERY ABUSE, THERE IS A COMMUNITY

In a press conference in February 2022, BNHR released its 2021-22 Abuse Documentation report based on more than 4,000 interviews of border residents from El Paso and New Mexico, containing testimonials of alleged abuse victims and mistreatment at the hands of local police and federal agents. The report gathers information from interviews from October 9 to November 11, 2021. It includes testimonials obtained by 50 human rights promoters and volunteers from BNHR in designated areas in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas.

enough evidence to be considered incidents of abuse.

press conference when some victims shared their experiences at the hands of Border Patrol, ICE, and

stops, discriminatory treatment at ports of entry, and unlawful arrests by local police departments. The testimonials also detailed the denial of basic needs in detention centers, reckless COVID-19 exposure, wrongful expulsions under Title 42, and endangerment of children. The report concluded with several recommendations for DHS agencies, the Department of Justice, the City of El Paso, the Biden administration, and the U.S. Congress.

2023 Immigration Law Enforcement Abuse

Documentation Campaign, dedicating the last months of this year to collecting and documenting cases of abuse, harassment, and civil and human rights violations against community members at the U.S.-Mexico border region carried out by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. For the

its monitoring and scope to include complaints

from high-migrant activity routes along the U.S.Mexico border, migrants in transit in Mexico, and individuals deported by U.S. immigration other law enforcement agencies. BNHR trained members of our organization to help document abuses at crucial locations in El Paso, the Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Southern New Mexico, as well as in the PresidioMarfa-Big Bend and Del Río-Eagle Pass border areas.

BNHR has also established a collaborative working relationship with the Mexican Observatory on Human Rights (Observatorio Mexicano de Derechos

Mexico with communities that have interest and knowledge of human rights, its promotion, and defense.

As part of these joint activities with the Observatorio, BNHR held the following responsibilities:

• Building teams of collaborators to support migrants

• Training course for human rights promoters

• Implementing community organizing strategies by BNHR-trained human rights promoters

• Immigration Abuse Documentation Campaign 2022-2023

BNHR will publicly release a full report in February 2023.

MUNICIPAL ID CAMPAIGN

WE ARE ALL EL PASO

prevents many El Paso County residents from having equal County, Municipal ID campaign calls for establishing a city government-issued ID to enable these residents to receive federal relief resources, especially with a lingering COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to access other services, like opening a bank account, registering for schools, applying for the DACA program, and accessing healthcare services such as testing and vaccinations against COVID-19. Moreover, the municipal ID would provide

established, a municipal ID program will provide immediate solutions to these issues for 50,000-70,000 El Paso County residents.

The BNHR led several actions this year to continue pressing for the Municipal ID Program. On April 19, in collaboration with multiple advocates, BNHR held a press conference to present petitions and testimonials to the City of El Paso from residents supporting the Municipal ID program. On July 26, during the public comment section of the city council meeting, the BNHR presented arguments in favor of passing a resolution to create and fund the program, followed by a press conference outside of El Paso City Hall to inform the public about the importance of a municipal ID and encourage them to press their representatives to vote in favor of making it a reality for all El Pasoans.

•BNHR member photographed with Municipal ID photo frame.

MEASURABLE PROGRESS:

The Border Network for Human Rights was able to reconvene a diverse coalition and relaunched this very important campaign. After presenting and engaging in dialogue, the County Commissioners Court passed a resolution supporting the creation of Community Identification Program. Even better, the Court included allocated $500,000 in it 2022 budget for the implementation. Now the campaign efforts will focus on the El Paso City Council.

Establishing a Community ID program is the first step to ensure that everyone has equal access to resources and fulfill their most basic needs.

•Left: Samantha Singleton, Policy Director | Rights: Diane Vega, Repatriate Our Patriots Spokesperson.

EL PASO FIRME

STANDING AGAINST WHITE-SUPREMACY

On August 3rd, 2019, El Paso and the whole country were shaken by the Walmart mass shooting when a white supremacist killed 23 people and injured dozens. In memory of the victims and to honor the survivors, the BNHR held the El Paso Firme Community Memorial this year, demanding action to end gun violence, white supremacy, xenophobia, and a halt to the anti-immigrant agenda. Participating members of the El Paso community held a procession during the memorial, carrying large crosses to represent each of the 23 lost lives.

This year’s event also included additional crosses to commemorate the 53 lives lost from the sweltering heat of a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas, and the migrants who lost their lives in El

against Brown, Black, and immigrant communities. BNHR is committed to combating gun violence, inhumane border policies, and hate-inspiring rhetoric spreading across the country. It will utilize every possible avenue to hold accountable those who spread it in the community, mainstream, and social media.

• Left: BNHR member holding a cross with August 3rd victim Raul Flores name written in remembrance.

•BNHR members holding crosses with the names of the August 3rd victims in remembrance.

MEASURABLE PROGRESS:

On August 3, 2022, BNHR organized a memorial with the participation of all sectors of our community such as elected officials, faith-based leaders, allied organizations, community leaders and families of the victims, to remembers the systemic reasons on the attack and to denounce current efforts and actions (by Texas Government leaders) that continue to perpetuate vitriol and hate against Brown, Black, and immigrant communities. The event was recorded for an HBO special.

•Top: BNHR Coordinator speaking during August 3rd Remembrance event | Bottom: Crosses placed during vigil.

STATE CAMPAIGNS

Fighting the Anti-Immigrant & White Supremacist Agenda

The U.S.–Mexico border has been historically impacted by federal policies and strategies that have intensified the criminalization of immigrant families and border residents and have increased the militarization of the border region and its communities. However, in the last decade, and especially during Trump’s administration, Texas’ state government, led by Governor Greg Abbott, has implemented an extremist, xenophobic, white supremacist strategy towards immigrants, refugees, and border residents.

Beyond the rhetoric of the Texas governor, which has painted immigrants and refugees as criminals and declared a State of Emergency at the Border, the Texas/Mexico border has experienced the presence of thousands of Texas State Troopers (DPS) and Texas National Guard members enforcing federal immigration laws by questioning, detaining, and arresting both border residents and immigrants in transit. As a matter of fact, thousands of immigrants had been arrested and jailed, accused of criminal trespassing, based both under state law and Abbot’s executive orders. Gov. Abbott’s anti-immigrant strategy at the Texas border is known as Operation Lone Star.

The consequences of such aggression to border residents, refugees, and immigrant families can be seen in such communities’ multiple human and civil rights violations. The lack of coordinated response, proactive advocacy efforts, and insufficient community organizing efforts (which represents an essential challenge for the BNHR) has created a situation where Texas law enforcement agencies are acting with impunity, and Governor Abbott is using immigrants and refugees as scapegoats in his political ambitions.

•BNHR Executive Director, Fernando Garcia speaking during End Operation Lone Star Press Conference.

FRONTERA TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT FRONTERA TEXAS ORGANIZING

The implementation of the illegal and brutal Operation Lone Star in Texas has brought several aggressions against Texas border residents and immigrant families. However, for the Border Network for Human Rights, this situation presented an opportunity to take essential steps to build more community capacity, expand abuse documentation strategies, create a community-oriented narrative,

In that situation, BNHR adapted and launched, with limited resources, the Frontera Texas Organizing Project with the primary goal of building community capacity and community leadership, expanding the immigration law enforcement abuse documenting strategies, building a border community-oriented narrative, and elevating the

Paso, Presidio-Big Bend, Sierra Blanca-Van Horn, Del Rio-Eagle Pass, Laredo, and the Texas Valley (Alamo, San Juan, Harlingen, and Brownsville).

As part of its immigration reform initiative, BNHR announced the Frontera Texas Organizing Caravan, a community organizing and leadership

of border residents and immigrant families to promote and defend human and civil rights.

The Caravan started in El Paso on May 1, 2022, on International Workers’ Day, and stopped along key border towns ending in Brownsville on May 17.

This initiative occurred in response to the State of Texas’s implementation of an unprecedented, inhumane immigration enforcement strategy at its border with Mexico by deploying hundreds of State Troopers and the National Guard (Operation Lone Star) to question and detain both immigrant and border residents.

This politically motivated strategy led by Governor Abbott is illegal and unconstitutional and has already impacted the rights of immigrants and refugees and deteriorated the quality of life of border communities in Texas. On Saturday, May 14, members of the #FronteraTexas Organizing Project, led by BNHR, held a press conference in Hidalgo, Texas, to highlight the high impact of these anti-immigrant,

communities and build community resistance across the border.

Frontera Texas Partners: Border Workers United (BWU), ARISE Adelante, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), Proyecto Libertad, Statewide Leadership Council, Human Rights Center in Presidio and Del Rio-Eagle Pass.

EXPANSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CENTERS

BUILDING COMMUNITY CAPACITY

Through the Frontera Texas Organizing Project, the BNHR opened two new Human Rights Centers in September 2022,

defense and promotion of human and constitutional rights of border residents and migrant families. The centers are located in the City of Presidio (Marfa-Presidio-Big Bend Region) and the City of Del Rio (Del Rio-Eagle Pass Region) at the Texas-Mexico border. The two centers serve as focal points for Texas border communities to denounce and document civil rights and human law enforcement agencies, as well as inhumane border strategies.

This is an essential milestone for BNHR after many years of hard work and advocacy. Unfortunately, it is also evidence of the severe and shameful increase in human rights violations and abuses

Operation Lone Star.

MEASURABLE PROGRESS:

Now, through these centers, border communities will be able to find a much-needed platform to get informed, trained, and empowered to defend their most basic human rights. BNHR has trained 70 local community leaders in the regions mentioned above to protect and promote human rights and document human rights violations by law enforcement authorities.

• Left: Inaguration of Human Rights Center in Del Rio, Texas.

RITA 2022 CONVENING

RESISTING HATE & FEAR IN TEXAS

Formed in 2009 as a project of the Border Network for Human Rights, the Reform for Immigration Texas Alliance (RITA) is a statewide alliance of communitybased organizations, with allies in diverse sectors, that seeks to protect and advance the rights of immigrants in Texas.

In the last two years, the State of Texas has been the epicenter of anti-immigrant, xenophobic and white supremacy driven policy that continues to militarize our southern border. The almost $8 billion dollars spent by Gov. Abbott on building the border wall, deploying thousands of state troopers and the Texas National Guard with the sole purpose of arresting and detaining immigrant children, migrants, and refugees has caused detrimental consequences. We have learned that this illegal approach is not only pushing migrants to make desperate attempts to cross in very dangerous areas and causing the highest number

more than 3 million border residents who have to live day to police and the Texas National Guard, in addition to the already culture of abuse these border communities live in. While this is happening at the border, immigrant communities across the needs - access to drive, healthcare, and political participation.

Resisting Fear and Hate in Texas: 2022 RITA Convening was held from September 30 to October 1, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. More than 25 organizations across our state assessed and strategized the venues to resist fear and hate in the Lone Star State.

The strategy discussions included: Border Communities Exposing and Resisting Operation Lone Star, Drive Texas Adelante: The Roadmap to Driver’s Permits in Texas, Immigration Reform: Texans Leading the Way to a Pathway to Citizenship, Political Participation: Civic Engagement for Latino and Immigrant

The Public Charge Exclusion Narrative of Poor People of Color.

ARISE Adelante | Rio Grande Valley

Border Network for Human Rights

Border Workers United

La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE)

RITA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

A.Y.U.D.A. Inc. | El Paso

African Public Commitee | Houston

American Gateways

Arlington Proyecto Unido

Black Alliance for Just Immigration

Casa de Proyecto Libertad | Rio Grande Valley

Children at Risk

DFW Lideres

Eco Latinas | Dallas

Equal Justice Center

Every Texan

Faith in Texas | North Texas

FIEL | Houston

Fight for Im/Migrants and Refugees Everywhere (FIRE)

Grassroots Leadership

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Interfaith Welcome Coalition | San Antonio

Jolt | Texas

Kipp Houston

Mi Familia Vota Texas

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU)

American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC)

La Monarca Foundation | Dallas

Laredo Immigrant Alliance

Latino Justice

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Mexican American Legislative Caucus

Movimiento del Valle por los Derechos Humanos

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

North Texas Dream Team | North Texas

Pantsuit Republic | Texas

Proyecto Juan Diego | Brownsville

Proyecto Inmigrante I.C.S.

RAICES | Texas

SA Stands

South Texas Human Rights Center | South Texas

Tahirih Justice Center

Texas Council on Family Violence

UnidosUS

United We Dream Texas

Voces Unidas del Rio Grande Valley

Woori Juntos

Workers Defense Action Fund

END OPERATION LONE STAR ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

The Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA), Frontera Texas Organizing Project, and other border and immigrant advocates held a press conference at the South Steps of the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to call for the immediate end of the illegal Operation Lone Star. The border and immigrant advocates, residents, and impacted families also gave oral testimony and exposed the dangerous implications of this inhumane policy on border communities and their everyday lives.

The press conference occurred during the Texas Senate Committee on Border Security hearing on Operation Lone Star, which sought to study and report on the impact of Operation Lone Star on the border, rural, and urban communities throughout Texas.

From its inception, BNHR, alongside multiple other immigrant advocates, denounced Operation Lone Star and noted that Gov. Abbot has actively distorted the facts on immigration to push a racist, xenophobic, and white supremacy agenda to militarize the border further. Operation Lone Star is not simply illegal but a dangerous approach to solving the humanitarian crisis at the border. More than 850 migrants have died this year due to the federal and Texas governments’ deterrence policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. Title 42, the border wall, and Gov. Abbott’s statewide Operation Lone Star have caused vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers, and their families to use more distant and dangerous routes to seek safety in the United States, exposing them to the risks of assault, kidnapping, rape, and even death.

Furthermore, border residents, many of whom are American mistreatment by law enforcement agencies simply because they are Latinos and living at the border.

•State Programs Director, Betty Camargo, addressing community organizers and press during End Operation Lone Star Press Conference held at the Texas State Capitol Building,

NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS

The Border is the New Ellis Island

The American experiment began with immigrants; they built our country despite the lies continually perpetrated over the years. Immigrants are innovative and entrepreneurial and often fill jobs Americans will not fill. Immigrants pay more taxes than they ever collected in government services during their lifetimes.

Our border policies decisions today will define the trajectory of our country as a whole. As such, we as a nation must reject any policies or tradeoffs that will harm communities, and instead invest in building a New Ellis Island at our border where people are treated with dignity and respect.

We believe in our legacy as a welcoming nation, and the heavy presence of border officials at our border and the culture of abuse within Border Patrol and other enforcement agencies in the region should be of grave concern to all Americans, not just border communities.

What is happening at our borders is part of a more significant problem. It is a humanitarian crisis – not a “crisis at the border,” directly resulting from the militarization of the border. It is when asylum and other legal immigration avenues are blocked, forcing migrants to turn to smuggling organizations to cross the border because they can no longer surrender to U.S. border officials and request asylum, which is their legal right under U.S. and international law.

The BNHR will continue to advocate for refugees, migrants, and undocumented Americans and uplift their voices until Congress acts on complete immigration reform for the 11 million already in the United States who deserve a pathway to legalization. The border is the New Ellis Island, and our policy decisions in the coming years will determine if the U.S. will remain a beacon of hope and freedom as it did for millions of immigrants more than a century ago or become a place of fear and hatred in decades to come.

•Figure resembling the Statue of Liberty (created by BNHR members).

IMMIGRATION REFORM CAMPAIGN

WE ARE THE 11 MILLION!

In the spring of 2021, BNHR and RITA launched the “We Are The 11 Million” campaign to call for holistic immigration reform. This reform includes a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people, demilitarization of the southern border, and increased transparency and accountability among federal immigration enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

address in 2022, BNHR held a press conference on March 1 to urge the Biden administration to establish a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants already living and contributing to the United States. BNHR demanded the Biden administration end anti-asylum, inhumane policies like Title 42 and the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy.

As part of its citizenship promotion initiative, BNHR partnered with Proyecto Inmigrante and USAHello on January 27 to hold a virtual citizenship forum in Spanish to discuss the U.S. citizenship application and process. Later on June 21, BNHR and other immigrant advocates held a Citizenship Fair Day

permanent residents to help them complete their citizenship applications. Through this Citizenship Fair Day, residents received free legal naturalization consultations, study materials, and assistance with their citizenship applications to eliminate any barriers to naturalization.

Additionally, in November, multiple immigration advocates and allies participated in mobilization

Action in October of this year. The Border Network for Human Rights proudly stood alongside them. It applauded the strength and courage of the Deferred and advocates who have tirelessly worked against the constant political attacks that have strived to weaken the DACA program. The attacks we have witnessed on the DACA program show us that, more than ever, immigrant lives are jeopardized by distorted narratives. With the rise of hateful, anti-immigrant, xenophobic narratives across our country, the Border Network for Human Rights emphasized that undocumented Americans, DACA or not, make our

only our economy but our social fabric.

•BNHR Members holding “We are the 11 Million” banner.

ADVOCATING FOR BORDER & IMMIGRAT

SECOND NEW ELLIS ISLAND ROUNTABLE

Meaningful reforms in immigration enforcement practices and policies are of utmost importance for border communities. BNHR has been working with allies to end family separations at the border, demand accountability and transparency from CBP, BP, ICE, and USCIS, and implement welcoming practices and training protocols that help people who are seeking asylum, migrating, and living at the border.

As a result, BNHR organized the New Ellis Island (NEI) Border Policy Group, composed of local, state, and national stakeholders, to develop humane and welcoming border policy recommendations based on border communities’ perspectives.

On Wednesday, April 27, BNHR, in collaboration with Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and other advocates and border communities, held a virtual roundtable dialogue on the border policy and narratives in Texas. The ground experts showcased the reality of border communities and brought real policy and narrative solutions to the national discussion. During the conversation, the southern border, the systematic problems, and solutions to the root causes of migration, the humanitarian crisis at the border, white supremacy and anti-immigrant agenda. The dialogue concluded with policy and narrative solutions to these issues.

The Second New Ellis Island Virtual Roundtable Dialogue: The Reality of the Texas/Mexico Border Policy was a powerful conversation on border policy and narratives from on-theground experts showcasing the reality of border communities and bringing real policy and narrative solutions to the national participated, plus dozens of local, state, and national NGO and advocacy organizations.

ION ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

PANELISTS:

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

Fernando Garcia | Border Network for Human Rights

Betty Camargo | Border Network for Human Rights

Nneka Achapu | Ashastrategies Consulting Firm

Diana Solis | Journalist

MEASURABLE PROGRESS:

February | BNHR presented the Immigration Law Enforcement Abuse Documentation Report on Capitol Hill (House & Senate Democratic and Republican Offices).

May | BNHR submitted questions on documented abuses and the impact of Title 42 with HSGAC Counsel Sarah Pearce during hearing titled “Securing and Ensuring Order on the Southwest Border”.

June | As part of the National Steering Committee, BNHR Co-Sponsored, participated and spoke at the Poor’s People & Low Wage Worker’s Assembly and Moral March in Washington.

June | BNHR Executive Director presented testimony at the Poor’s People Campaign Congressional Briefing.

HUGS NOT WALLS

A POWERFUL PROTEST & ACT OF RESILIENCE

The emotional and historic “Hugs Not Walls” event returned in October for its ninth edition in the El Paso-Juárez region,

families to physically meet and hug their loved ones after years of forcible separation by inhumane immigration and border

resiliency of the immigrant community, serves as a protest against family separations and calls for a comprehensive immigration reform that can justly address this humanitarian crisis.

The event was organized by the BNHR, with the collaboration of the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA), and co-sponsored by the Border Agricultural Workers Center and the Peace and Justice Ministry of El Paso Catholic Diocese. This year, the BNHR coordinated with HBO to document the event for an upcoming documentary showcasing the emotional journeys of families on both sides of the border and solution to the immigration crisis at the southern border.

The BNHR set COVID-19 preventative measures like face masks, complete COVID-19 vaccination, and negative COVID-19 tests for all attendees during the event.

MEASURABLE PROGRESS:

On October 15th, 2022, BNHR held its 9th #HugsNotWalls event where more than 200 families subjected to forced separation participated. BNHR staff and organizers accomplished the goal of building a bridge where those families were able to hug and embrace. Federal, county and city officials were present, along with allies and press.

•View of bridge being constructed during Hugs Not Walls Event held on October 15, 2022.

THANK YOU!

On behalf of our members, families, organizers, staff, the Board of Directors, and our Executive Director and Founder Fernando Garcia, the Border Network for Human Rights would like to thank and recognize the contributions and support of our partners, funders, and donors. We thank you for your commitment to our struggle for dignity and rights in 2022. Without you, our work to advance human and civil rights at the border and build a voice for the most marginalized communities would not have been possible.

The Ford Foundation

Four Freedoms Fund

Tao Rising

The Libra Foundation

Civic Nation (Made to Save)

Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Threshold Foundation

Tides Foundation

Lumina Foundation

Resourcing Justice Fund

Anonymous Donor

And Hundreds of Individual Donors!