Unidos in Tulsa helps refugees in transit
Most of the news surrounding the refugees from Central America has been disturbing, from the use of tear gas at the U.S.-Mexico border to the deaths of two young migrant children in custody in Texas, but a volunteer group in Tulsa is quietly making a difference in the lives of asylum seekers in an unexpected, inspirational, and entirely positive way.
Unidos en Tulsa (United in Tulsa) is an adhoc group of Tulsa Hispanics that got together last year with the aim of feeding the homeless, delivering pre-prepared meals to the less fortunate in the downtown Tulsa area. Unidos founder Rodolfo Sanguilan, who himself immigrated from Mexico several years ago, told La Semana that while the group was handing out meals at the Greyhound Bus station they were surprised to learn that migrant families are passing through Tulsa every day and that these people too have great need and no one to help them.
“I started asking people as they were coming off the bus to wait for their connections, ‘Are you hungry?’ and offering them some of the food we had prepared,” Sanguilan explained. “Many were a little reluctant to talk at first but soon we learned that there were a lot of families who had not eaten since being released from detention centers the day before and getting on the bus.”
Sanguilan said a Greyhound clerk told him buses arrive several times a day from Arizona and Texas, each with anywhere from 2040 migrants en route to destinations like Chicago or other large cities. It’s a frightening and lonely experience for those who speak no English, and there are no Spanish speaking employees at the Tulsa bus terminal. Unidos quickly organized to put together travel-ready meals for the weary migrants with a special focus on food and clothing for the children.
“These people arrive with nothing, and have no knowledge of what awaits them at their final destinations,” a Unidos volunteer explained when La Semana visited the Greyhound station on Monday night. “We help make sure that they don’t miss their connection, and if the families need food, medicine, or clothing we provide this for them while they are waiting in Tulsa.”
All of the donations have been provided by local Hispanics who saw the need on the Unidos en Tulsa Facebook page.
La Semana had the chance of speaking with some of the caravan immigrants that waited for their bus connections at Greyhound station.
Revin Jonathan Raymundo Martinez travelled for 25 days before arriving in Tulsa. He walked from Guatemala with his young daughter to the U.S.–Mexico border, and now with asylum papers looks for a better future in the USA.
“The worst thing was the cold and the hunger,” Martinez said. “But here in Tulsa people have been very kind to us. To those still crossing I advise them to take great care, because the road ahead is very difficult and dangerous.”
Little Alaisa Martinez is only 12 years old, and crossed the border with her dad and her little sister, leaving mom in Honduras.
“I don’t want to remember being held at the immigration center…it was an icy cold place, with nothing tasty to eat,” she said. “But if I had to do it again, I would.”
“Here I would like to become an architect,” said Alaisa, full of courage and expectation. Her dad Joel is still figuring out how to bring his wife along, but knows what comes ahead is far bigger than the memories he has left. “I came here to work,” he explained. “I will do whatever it takes to provide for my children.”
If you would like to donate money, clothing, or help prepare and distribute food to these people who have suffered so much, send a message through the Unidos en Tulsa Facebook page, or call Rodolfo Sanguilan at 918-978-4810.
The asylum seekers are here with us, looking for their destiny beyond the border. While all this happens Tulsa becomes a transit city, were a small group of concerned Hispanics is committed to providing aid to those that are finding their way to their new homes. This proves that in Tulsa we celebrate diversity, we cherish love and treasure kindness, even in times of trouble. (La Semana)