Last week I drove back from the Mexico-US border at Tijuana. I was stuck in traffic a couple miles before the border. While I was waiting, I noticed an immensely large crowd gathered outside a yellow building – The Desayunador Salesiano “Padre Chava.”

I saw women, children, and men of all ages waiting and pacing. These people appeared concerned, as if they were worried about not being able to gain access into the building.

The Desayunador provides shelter, breakfast, showers, shoes, clothing, computer courses, and legal and psychological services to migrants. The group of people waiting outside of the yellow building, were Haitian immigrants that were seeking the Desayunador's services.

There is a Haitian influx that is occurring in Tijuana, Mexico. Nearly 8,000 Haitians

have shuttled over the past couple of months in Tijuana's shelters. Haitians are traveling to Tijuana in the hopes to gain entrance into the United States. These immigrants are awaiting a chance to speak with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in order to apply for asylum in the United States.

This influx is causing overflow and shortages in shelters, food, and water. Some of the shelters like Centro Madre Asunta, Casa del Migrante, and Desayunador Salesiano "Padre Chava"

are filled to capacity.

Thus, nearly 500 Haitians immigrants

are left with no choice but to sleep in open-air refugee camps in Tijuana. In response to this, a contingency plan is being demanded by Human Rights activists and NGO's in order for the government to provide food and shelter to these immigrants.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security

announced that Haitians faced deportation and detention if they showed up at the border. Few immigrants have seem dissuaded by the news, because despite the announcement, the flow of Haitians immigrants continues.

It is vital that the government provide food and shelter and overall comprehensive humanitarian assistance, because the flow of immigrants is only expected to rise in the coming months.

A contingency plan needs to go into effect immediately. However, the public can help by donating food and clothing to these shelters.

If you reside in or near San Diego and are able to donate food and clothing (especially shoes) they can be donated at any of these shelters: Centro Madre Asunta, Casa del Migrante, and Desayunador Salesiano "Padre Chava."