Migrant shelters in Laredo preparing for the end of Title 42

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - Non-governmental organizations, or NGO’s in Laredo are preparing for a possible influx of migrants after the end of Title 42.

One of the two NGO’S in Laredo said they are getting ready for any possible outcome.

As we inch closer to the expiration of the Trump-era policy, Title 42 which brings the automatic expelling of undocumented migrants is set to end on May 11.

While shelters in El Paso and Brownsville are already starting to see an influx of migrants, a 100-year-old organization in Laredo said they are ready.

“We are as ready as could be, but there’s a lot of unknowns. Nobody knows what exactly is going to happen on that day,” said Pastor Michael Smith, the director of the Holding Institute.

While Pastor smith does not believe there will be a surge of migrants in Laredo, he said they might need an extra set of hands to keep up with the demands.

“We are going to expect more people than normal, we need help making sandwiches, so we put in a call,” said Smith.

The director said they have a plan in place in the event that Laredo sees an influx of migrants.

“Every 24 hours you need to check in with one of us, to let us update the status so I know where you are at, otherwise you get lost in the system and we do not want that to happen,” said Smith.

Even if the controversial policy is coming to an end, the institute said they are ready to welcome any migrants who are in need of a temporary shelter.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen at that time at midnight, so everybody is panicking, so the best thing that we can do is to observe, not panic and hey man if anybody goes out there to buy loafers of bread and peanut butter, hey we’ll take it,” said Smith.

KGNS has reached out to the catholic charities for a comment but have not heard back.

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