In Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, there is the Pan de Vida Shelter, a refuge that welcomes migrants while they wait for their appointment with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This shelter has become a temporary home for thousands of people seeking asylum in the United States, providing accommodation, food, clothing, and internet access.

Operation of the Pan de Vida Shelter

Led by Ismael Martínez, Pan de Vida began as a free dining hall for children and transformed into a migrant care center in 2019. Since then, it has assisted over 12,000 migrants, mostly from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Mexico.

The shelter is characterized by offering small homes where families can cook and sleep independently, unlike other shelters with large shared spaces. Stays at Pan de Vida are generally short, ranging from a few days to a month, depending on how quickly migrants obtain their appointment with CBP.

Support and Sustenance

The shelter is sustained by subsidies from the civilian population and donations of food, clothing, and money. Migrants, who often arrive with very few belongings, can prepare for their new life in the United States with the support they receive at Pan de Vida.

Testimonials from Migrants

Migrants who have stayed at Pan de Vida, such as a family from Honduras, highlight the safety and tranquility of the place while they wait for their turn to apply for asylum. Although some must wait for months, the shelter provides them with a stable and safe base during this critical process.

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