SAN ANTONIO — Catholic Charities CEO Antonio Fernandez says another 700 migrants were bused to the Migrant Resource Center on Thursday night, making it a total of 1,500 asylum-seekers being serviced at a place where 707 is full capacity.
The influx followed several hundred arrivals Wednesday, amid what Fernandez said would likely be the center's busiest week in months.
"The understanding right now is that this is just the beginning, and we're going to have a surge coming very soon. They are taking a lot of pressure from the border to some degree, but it's giving it to us in San Antonio," Fernandez says.
The shelter is now running a dual operation, treating migrants inside the San Pedro Avenue location and outside in the parking lot.
"As we speak, we're feeding people in the parking lot," Fernandez said. "They are getting water. They are getting clothes. They are getting food, because for us it's just a matter of respect and dignity."
Fernandez says he has spoken with city officials who told him they're just as concerned about the amount of migrants being dropped off at the shelter.
But to really address the issue, he says what's needed is money.
"It's not up to the city, it's not about Catholic Charities. This is a federal issue, this is a statewide program, so for us we are at the mercy of other entities along the border who are actually sending people to San Antonio," Fernandez says.
Asked whether Catholic Charities is considering opening a second shelter to accommodate the increase in migrants, Fernandez said the possibility has been on the table for some time. But, he added, you need more than a location to assist asylum-seekers; you also need enough case managers, counselors, food and clothing.
Fernandez says all of those resources for a new center require more funding.
KENS 5 reached out to Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Thursday for comment on the evolving situation, but his office said he was unavailable.
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