Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. on July 18 announced a partnership with Houston-based Justice for All Immigrants to provide immigration legal services for individuals and families living in South Texas communities.
According to a news release, the one-year grant provides $120,000 to support the hiring of legal staff for JFAI’s San Antonio field office located at 1400 Guadalupe St.
Officials with Methodist Healthcare Ministries said this effort is designed to expand access to legal immigration services available to South Texas communities.
JFAI plans to use the funds to educate local residents and community-based groups about the immigration process and laws and their roles in that system.
Legal staff will hold legal clinics and community consultations, meeting with clients both in person and by phone, the release said, adding JFAI will also provide training to MHMST staff members and other organizations upon request.
Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, said making sure immigrant neighbors have access to quality legal information and legal services will help them to thrive in their communities.
“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we believe that health care is more than just caring for your medical needs, but also addressing the inequalities present in communities that prevent all of our neighbors from thriving,” Wesolowski said.
JFAI Legal Director Joy Green said her organization's leaders are thrilled by the support being extended by Methodist Healthcare Ministries.
“Our staff attorney in San Antonio, Daniella Salas-Chacon, started working in May, and has been a tremendous asset to our team. She is eager to serve those in greatest need. We look forward to this continued partnership,” Green said.
News of the Methodist Healthcare Ministries grant award to JFAI comes on the heels of Bexar County announcing the formation of a $1 million immigrant legal defense fund and the city of San Antonio reopening its migrant resource and processing center on the north side.
Establishment of the county’s immigrant legal defense fund passed with a nearly unanimous Commissioners Court vote July 12. County officials and local immigration advocates said nearly 66% of local asylum-seekers face a confusing, daunting legal process with many immigrants ending up representing themselves.
Local grassroots group SA Stands issued a press release and applauded the county’s action, saying the immigrants legal defense fund will help to raise representation for community members, and ensure they have an opportunity to fully present their case.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, who proposed creating the defense fund, said it is “unreasonable and unjust” to expect individuals without legal expertise or resources to navigate a complex immigration law system, much less on their own.
“Our hope is to help balance the scales of justice by providing access to representation for people who cannot afford it so that those with standing to stay in the United States have a true opportunity to receive the rights available to them under U.S. law,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
On July 7, the city restarted operations at its migrant resource and processing facility in a new location, 7000 San Pedro Ave., with city officials saying the new, larger space serves as a main entry point for the local government and nonprofit partners to better serve asylum seekers.
According to the city, more than 185,000 migrants have passed through San Antonio since April 2021 with about 600 people arriving in town daily on average. Local officials said they requested nearly $11 million in federal funds with plans to use that money to offset the costs of opening and operating the migrant resource center.
