World Relief Mourns Tragic Death of at Least 50 Migrants in Texas, Calls for Congressional Action This Year

June 28, 2022

CONTACT:
Audrey Garden
audrey.garden@pinkston.co
571-405-1606

BALTIMORE  – Today, World Relief mourns the loss of at least 50 migrants who passed away in the back of a tractor-trailer in Texas. Reports state that over 16 others, including children,  were injured and hospitalized. In the wake of such a great tragedy, World Relief continues to urge Congress to take action to prevent more deaths by improving border processes and fixing our broken immigration system this year.

“These horrifying migrant deaths are part of a broader and systemic problem. The immigration policies that were put in place with the intention of making border crossings more difficult have not reduced crossing numbers. Instead, they have resulted in even more harm to migrants,”  said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “These policies cause vulnerable people with legitimate claims for protection to resort to extreme and dangerous options in search of safety in the United States. Our government must act this year to reform our immigration laws and create more humane processes at the border to prevent future deaths.”

This year is expected to set another record for migrant deaths near the border, and as Texas enters a heat wave, time is running out for more orderly border processes to be implemented. World Relief calls on the Biden administration and Congress to expand opportunities for lawful migration and capacities at large points of entry to allow more migrants to apply for protection.

“Our nation’s immigration system has been broken for far too long,” said Matthew Soerens, U.S. director of church mobilization for World Relief. “As Christians, we affirm the inherent dignity in every human life. The fact that so many migrants risked their lives and suffered so deeply in an attempt to reach safety on American soil is further proof that the well-being of immigrants is not being prioritized. The chaos at the border is leading to an extreme loss of life. World Relief urges our government to err on the side of human care and address these urgent humanitarian needs.”

Immigrants come to the U.S. border seeking protection and safety, whether they document fear of credible persecution or not. World Relief calls upon the faith community to welcome migrants who are arriving with unique vulnerabilities and fears, and to reject language that dehumanizes our neighbors. Together, we can carry out l Christ’s commandment to support and care for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters through both prayer and action.

To learn more about World Relief, visit worldrelief.org.

To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief 

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.