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Scalabrini Migrant Center in Tijuana

With the foundation of the House of the Migrants in Tijuana on April 4th 1987, the Missionaries of San Carlos (Scalabrini Missionaries) opened a new horizon in their mission with migrants: the ministry of the welcome and hospitality in the borders of the American continent.

Since then, the House has received almost 130,000 migrants, the majority from Mexico and Central America. Others have come from other Latin American countries, as well as Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.

In the last 5 years around 40% have been deported migrants from the United States.
The House of the Migrate in Tijuana has space to house 200 people.

There are five areas of work the House of the Migrants
in Tijuana focuses on:

1. Humanitarian care: We supply food, lodging, bath with hot water, clothes and footwear, basic medical service (first aid) and an employment agency for the migrants.

2. Psycho-social care: Many of the migrants arriving at the House are frustrated and desperate. Here they find a secure place as well as confidence and moral support. They are provided the opportunity to share their difficulties, and the center offers lectures and discussions, which are aimed at helping in this area.

3. Spiritual care: the Scalabrini Missionaries also offer a place to deepen and to practice their faith in God with celebrations, and all are invited to share in these celebrations. Although the House of the Migrants in Tijuana is a Catholic institution, it does not discriminate against any migrants who may belong to another religious denomination.
4. Advice in the area of human rights: Talks and counseling are offered in this area. The Scalabrini Missionaries recognize that many of the migrants are victims of human rights violations. Work is done to identify those who have been affected, and work is done to bring attention to the proper authorities.

5. Education and awareness: This work includes four elements:
  • a) The formation of missionaries and volunteers who work in the House;
  • b) The formation of migrants in the area of human rights, self-esteem, spiritually, health education, etc.
  • c) Helping society develop a greater awareness of the effects of policies towards
    this migrant population and the consequences of these policies; through events like:
    --- The celebration of the Day of Dead,
    --- The Inn Without Borders,
    --- Via Crucis of the Migrant, and
    --- Participation in forums and conferences on migration;
  • d) We also offer the opportunity for groups of students and adults of the United States and Mexico, to have a direct experience of the work with the migrants and give them the opportunity to learn, first hand, the effects of the policies towards migrants. (The mission office of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will help your group arrange sucha trip.)
The House of the Migrants in Tijuana wishes to thank many people:
  • We give thanks for the financial donations of nongovernmental organizations, federal, state and municipal, and for the generosity of many people, religious families and communities who open their hearts to the necessities of the migrants;
  • We also thank the many adult and young people who have volunteered and have spent many hours in the House,
    . cleaning,
    . cooking,
    . giving talks,
    . living with the migrants, etc.

  • In addition, through the program to Scalabrini Missionaries, there are young people, men and women, who offer a period of formation and dedicate a year of their life to the service of the migrants in the House.

If you would like to plan a future trip to Tijuana for your parish youth or adult group or high school students, please contact David Braun at the Mission Office, (213) 637-7564, or e-mail: missionoffice@la-archdiocese.org

To set up the program, we will need to know when you would like to visit, what you would like to include in the program, and how many you expect to participate. We have room for 15 - 20 participants.

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