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'I try the best I can' | San Antonio man turns his home into temporary shelter for families struggling outside Migrant Resource Center

Catholic Charities stressed some migrants are denied services due to the lack of proper federal documentation. Federal funding has been "drastically reduced."

SAN ANTONIO — As the Migrant Resource Center continues to operate at capacity and families are sleeping on the cold streets, one San Antonio man has opened his doors to migrants in need. 

Santiago Rodriguez is a husband and father of three whose humanitarian mission began when he noticed the harsh conditions migrants were enduring at night along San Pedro Avenue. 

“They had no blankets. It’s like wow, all these people, using cartons to cover themselves,” Rodriguez said.

For the past two weeks, Rodriguez has welcomed more than 40 migrants to his Airbnb-turned shelter on the northeast side. He’ll pick up willing migrants outside the Catholic Charities-run Migrant Resource Center depending on their needs. 

The car salesman-turned humanitarian has spent thousands of dollars on food, clothing, and hygiene supplies to support the migrants while they figure out next steps to reach their final destinations.

“Because there’s a lot of kids, a lot of milk, a lot of eggs. Toilet paper, soap, Pampers. Everything is being bought by me,” Rodriguez said.

The four-bedroom home serves as temporary refuge for migrants primarily from Venezuela and Colombia of whom have employment ambitions across the U.S. 

“Some people they say they trying to go to Denver, other people they say they need to go to North Carolina. I got a girl, she’s leaving on the fifth (Jan. 5), she’s already got her ticket, she’s going to New York.”  

Rodriguez understands Catholic Charities is unable to accommodate every migrants’ needs. But he hopes the non-profit is able to collaborate with more community organizations to meet their needs. 

Desperation is apparent outside the Migrant Resource Center as dozens of people crowd the nearby parking lots in search of food and warm clothing. Community members come by throughout the day with vehicles filled with food, clothing and other resources. 

Catholic Charities spokesman Tara Ford stressed the Migrant Resource Center is at capacity on a daily basis. A secondary warming tent has been established for eligible migrants.

As for why many migrants are sleeping on the streets, Catholic Charities noted some are arriving without proper documentation.

“We can only provide services to migrants who meet federal eligibility criteria. Unfortunately, some migrants arrive to San Antonio without the proper Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved release documents. They are not eligible to receive services under our federal funding. Other migrants are refusing to wait in the queue for our intake process and we cannot provide services if they are outside of the premises,” Ford said in an emailed statement. 

The Migrant Resource Center provides an array of assistance, including blankets, food, water, baby formula, and diapers, among other survival essentials.

“Funding has been drastically reduced as of 1/1/24. We have requested additional federal funding to maintain our current operation,” Ford said. 

As for Rodriguez, he’s planning to assist as many migrants as possible through the winter months. 

“I cannot help everybody. I try the best I can,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez is willing to accept donations from the community for maintaining his humanitarian mission. His email is Santiago711autogroup@yahoo.com.

Catholic Charities is also accepting donations of clothing and hygiene items. Donations can be made at St. Stephens CARE Center (2127 S. Zarzamora St.) Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 

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