Media Center

All the Latest

Want more details about what we do? Scroll below to find stories and the latest updates about how our work is helping make an impact. We invite you to learn more about our efforts and help spread the word about our important cause.

 Note: asylum seekers and other migrants encountered at the shelters are referred to by an initial or nickname to protect their privacy. The 2 most recent shelter reports are included below:

——————————————

10/13/26

SSF Shelter Report

Casa Del Migrante: 6 guests

Families: 16 members (8 adults, 8 children)

Sonoyta was wet this morning, with large puddles, blocked roads, police officers directing traffic, and detours. Jill Meierl and I watched a man drive north on what he thought was the correct side of the road only to be yelled at by a police officer because that lane had been preempted for detoured drivers headed south. We thought the police officer was going to throw his hat at the driver, he was so frustrated.

We managed to navigate the puddles and detours and picked up Rochi from Casa del Migrante. Jill and I needed his help as translator when we met with the 4 families at their rental house to ask about their ideas for the immediate future. 

We sat out on kitchen chairs in the cool rain-washed air and listened as, one by one, the parents of the families shared their skill sets and showed us pictures on their phones of projects, crafts, and jobs they’d completed. Soon they were talking excitedly about creating a small restaurant or popup serving Venezuelan food; doing manicures and hairstyles; sewing items, creating tiles with mosaic pieces, making little candles we can sell at the Ajo mercados for them; and gathering tools to work construction jobs. So many words were flying Jill said later it was like trying to make a soup sandwich! We couldn’t promise anything, but we asked everyone to generate lists of what would be needed to help them become entrepreneurs. 

Over lunch, Rochi, Jill, and I talked about the meeting. Rochi said he had a little trouble following the different accents, which evolved into a discussion of feminine/masculine words in other cultures and all the indigenous languages in Mexico. Outside, a Mexican National Guard vehicle, complete with 2 armed men, parked and waited for - what? Take out? 

Bodega Aurrera grocery store was very quiet when we arrived after lunch. The store was out of chicken, and there were no 36 count crates of eggs. I picked up some breakfast rolls, but Rochi switched them out for a Bundt cake, saying Venezuela (his nickname for one of the guests at CDM) is a little special and likes the round cakes better for breakfast. After returning to CDM, all the guests and dogs turned out to help unload the car. 

It was getting late in the afternoon when Jill and I headed back across the border. The CBP agent asked where we’d been, and after we said, “lunch in Sonoyta”, she asked how we were related. I was baffled. She asked if we were sisters because we were wearing matching SSF shirts. I immediately thought about all those folks wearing matching red baseball caps, but just laughed and said no.

Hug someone and don’t let the bastards grind you down. 

Carol

——————————————

10/6/26

SSF shelter report

​

Sarah Cari-Roberts, Jill Meierl, and I rode down to Sonoyta this morning. We did not stop to visit the 4 families - their grocery money is sent via Western Union on Sundays so they don’t have to wait till we visit to buy food, and we didn’t have other donations to bring them this week. Karla Betancourt is working on finding donated winter school uniforms for the children; Sonora, Mexico provides them free for children with documents, but others have to buy their own. Karla thinks she won’t have any problem finding some for the children. 

One of the moms asked about help for a little birthday party for her daughter who will be 7 in November. It would be nice to come up with a little birthday fund for all the kids so they could have a cake and piñata on their special day - something to think about 🎉.

At Casa del Migrante the dogs appeared excited to see us, but when the gate was opened, they ran across the street to the vacant lot to explore. Only Chihuahua (one of the largest dogs, ironically) stopped to greet us. He is always ready to hop in the car and head north to Estados Unidos! 

There are 7 guests this week at Casa del Migrante. One of the new guests is from Chiapas. He doesn’t look much older than a teenager, but of course nowadays everyone looks that way to me. Rochi had his list and reusable grocery bags ready to go, so after a brief tour for Sarah and getting a list of needed medications, we took Rochi to lunch at Stanza. Stanza is a few doors down from a good pharmacy, so while we waited for our lunch order we picked up the medicines we needed. At lunch, Rochi told us he is feeling very good. He is using Aquaphor on his hands and feet several times a day, so the peeling has stopped, though his fingerprints have not reformed. He begins a new course of chemo pills in a few days. He says it’s fine to share this health information with donors and supporters. However, he was more interested in talking about Esperanza, the most recent dog addition to CDM. She’s not old enough to be spayed, but he found out while we were at lunch that there is a free clinic tomorrow that will provide her vaccinations, so he will walk her to the site tomorrow and get that taken care of. He has a hard time watching the dogs receive shots, but he wants them to be healthy. 

After lunch we shopped at Bodega Aurrera, Walmart in México. This weekend the guests will have a spaghetti supper, plus cake and strawberry ice cream, to look forward to. Back at CDM, the groceries were unloaded, much to the excitement of all the dogs. If only they were helpful…

After the groceries were put away, we checked out the garden area. The guests are growing beans in one plot and plan to add peppers and tomatoes. The rabbits have been cheering on their efforts and taking experimental nibbles, so Rochi wants to add some chicken wire to the lower fencing to try to dissuade them. The temperatures are still warm, but mild enough not to incinerate the young plants. Rochi is thinking about creating a salsa garden😊. 

We left with promises to return next week and greetings for all those who weren’t with us today. It’s not too soon to begin thinking about the Christmas party; we’ll be posting items on our Amazon wishlist in the coming weeks so that every guest will have new clothing for the new year. CDM’s numbers fluctuate, but as long as one person remains at the shelter, we are committed to supporting them. 

Hug someone, vote early, and don’t let the bastards grind you down!

​

- Carol

—————————————

2/19/26

SSF Shelter Maintenance Report

Rick Weibel and Tom Wingo brought supplies and tools to Casa Del Migrante this morning for a work day. They replaced shower valves and a urinal valve, hung 2 smoke detectors (one in dorm #3 and one in the outer office area), wired a new light and switch over the cooking area, and set up a work station so the guests could build/replace the window screens in the dorms. 

More wiring remains to be done and more screen spline needs to be added, but today was a pretty good day.
****************************

1/5/26

Hello Everyone! I hope all of you are well and enjoying time with loved ones. Here in Ajo, we are enjoying the quiet after the holidays and balancing news-viewing 😬 with trips out in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. 
 

2025 was a busy year for Samaritanos Sin Fronteras. Thanks to our supporters, SSF provided funds for ultrasounds, removal of a benign cyst in a CDM guest’s shoulder, dental extractions for 3 guests, dentures for 2 guests, treatment for amoebic dysentery, antibiotics for an extensive infection of the manager’s upper jaw and sinus, treatment for prostate issues, and over-the counter and prescription medications.

We were also able to purchase a new hot water heater and a new toilet for Casa Del Migrante, essential for health and comfort. 

With our weekly grocery runs, accompanied by CDM’s cook who made a list each week of needed items, we were able to buy food to supply approximately 5,840 meals, including special meal celebrations for Easter, Mexican Independence Day, and Christmas Eve. As part of the Christmas Eve celebration, due to generous donations, each guest received a complete set of new clothes in appropriate sizes: a warm jacket, pants, long-sleeved t-shirt, button-down long-sleeved shirt, underwear, socks, shoes, warm gloves, and a knitted hat, plus there was a fun raffle where each guest won a prize of his choice from food items and extra clothing. 

Animals: as of December, there are 9 dogs at CDM and 1 desert tortoise. SSF, vía Karla Vásquez and Clinica Esperanza, has had 8 of the 9 dogs spayed or neutered. The dogs have also had their shots, and SSF provides their food. If you’re looking for a good dog…..

SSF helped the shelter at the beginning of the year with an invasion of ticks and at mid-year with an invasion of bedbugs, providing chemicals and applicators to rid the shelter of creepy-crawlies. We also provided fly strips and mouse traps for ongoing pest control.

When a former CDM guest needed to return to his home country of Honduras to care for his ailing brother, SSF was able to help him with travel funds, and when a former resident of Casa San Pedro migrant shelter (now closed) whose family entered the US legally seeking asylum had a family member deported and subsequently murdered, SSF supporters raised funds to transport the body from Guadalajara to Guerrero, his mother’s home town, bringing a sad closure to an awful and unnecessary tragedy. 

We are continually amazed at the resilience and kindness of those we encounter at Casa Del Migrante, and at the generosity and support of good people all over the world. You are truly making a difference in the lives of folks who, for whatever reason, can’t reach home. People eat healthy food because of you, they have a comfortable place to stay, clean clothing, medical and dental care, and canine companions (and a tortoise!) to give them affection while they are deciding what to do next. Life is better for guests at Casa Del Migrante because of your support. Thank you.

Attached is our revenue statement for 2025.

Happy New Year, everyone, and don’t let the bastards grind you down. Together we can affect change❤️

- Carol​

———————————

Note: If you are able, please consider a donation either via our website donate button, via Zelle [Samaritanos Sin Fronteras (413)695-9571], or as a check made out to Samaritanos Sin Fronteras/121 Rocalla Ave/Ajo, AZ 85321. Thank you for your continued support.

—————————————————

Checks can be made out to 

Samaritanos Sin Fronteras 

c/o Doug Schnare, treasurer 

121 Rocalla Ave

Ajo, AZ 85321

Or we can accept Zelle (National Bank of Arizona)

our business tag is

samaritanossinfronteras

or PayPal on our website www.samsinfront.com) 

—————————————————

Samaritanos Sin Fronteras Amazon wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6SDJCN1N0XMX?ref_=wl_share

or if you’re in Ajo and have donations, contact one of the members of SSF who will be glad to deliver them. We all make a difference.

​

We have the 2026 Candid Gold Seal of Approval:

https://app.candid.org/profile/15337525/samaritanos-sin-fronteras/?pkId=f10ec1df-6f76-48ce-8507-b32c69ef7ce7&isActive=true