Border Patrol Doesn’t Accept Donations, but Texans Showed Up Anyway

Over the weekend, people on social media became aware that undocumented people in detention camps did not have access to hygiene products. The lack of toothpaste, soap, and other such products isn’t a new occurrence, for years — longer than Donald Trump’s presidency — people detained have endured inhumane facilities. What makes it worse now is that these camps are over capacity, and the government is actually fighting in court for the right to deny undocumented people the basic necessities. So, if the government can’t provide people with their basic needs, people in Texas are stepping up to the plate.

A group of good Samaritans went to the immigration detention center in Clint, Texas on Sunday and spent almost $400 in diapers, soap, wipes, toothpaste, and toys, but instead of the officials gladly taking the items, what the people found was rather unbelievable. When they arrived, they found that the center was “closed” and also that they do not accept donations, apparently.

“A good friend of mine is an immigration attorney, and he warned us that we were going to get rejected,” Austin Savage told the Texas Tribune. “We were aware of that, but it’s just the idea of doing something as opposed to passively allowing this to occur.”

Texas Rep. Terry Canales wrote a letter to the border patrol requesting a list of items they needed for the undocumented people. He also got the same response: no donations.

Rep. @TerryCanales40 – please let me know if/when you hear back. There are lots of us who would love to help in this effort! Here to help and support. #txlege https://t.co/mRqWNZBKaq

— Matt Krause (@MattKrauseTX) June 22, 2019

“The whole situation is disgusting, but I’m always hopeful that the better part of us as human beings will shine through,” Canales said to the publication. “Those children feel like the world has given up on them, and we have to fight for them.”

The hopelessness is something a lot of people are feeling over the situation at detention camps and Gabriel Acuña, who grew up near this center in Texas, told the Texas Tribune that the issue is dire and the children there need help now.

“It makes me feel powerless knowing there’s children taking care of toddlers and little kids,” Acuña said. “Knowing what’s happening in your community and that you can’t give these kids supplies to clean or clothe themselves — it’s heartbreaking. “For God’s sake, they’re kids, man.”

What is hopeful is that despite knowing that they will be turned away, people are still trying to help in any way they can.