Spuyten Duyvil volunteers deliver aid to migrants in encampments at US-Mexico border

Spuyten Duyvil volunteers deliver aid to migrants in encampments at US-Mexico border

News 12 Staff

Feb 2, 2020, 6:18 PM

Updated 1,545 days ago

Share:

A group of women from Spuyten Duyvil banded together to deliver aid to migrants in Mexico.
Marti Michael, a retired social services worker, has been going to the U.S.—Mexico border for a year to provide support.
On her most recent trip, her and 13 colleagues brought wagons of hot meals over the border to feed thousands of hungry migrants and their children living in an encampment in Matamoros.
Under the President Trump’s administration's "remain in Mexico" policy, asylum seekers have to wait in Mexico while their cases unfold in U.S. immigration court. 
"They need everything, these people who are stuck in Mexico, most of them have walked from Latin America and gotten this far...during their walk, they've used up whatever supplies they had, they've been robbed and worse,” says Michael. 
The United Nations Children's Fund reported 700 children are among the people stranded in the border city. They say that some children have been there for weeks and even months.
Michael says her group, working with Texas' Brownsville team, are also assisting with a school that was built at the camp for children.
Michael originally started helping immigrants released by ICE transition to sponsors in the U.S. However, she says she realized she had to go into Mexico to make a greater impact.
"Once you see the conditions they are being held in and then you meet the people, and talk to them and hear their stories and love their children, now I can't not do it, I must go,” says Michael.
The group raised more than $18,000 to purchase food, clothing and toys for the kids.
Michael says she plans on going back to the border in two weeks with another group of volunteers.


More from News 12
1:56
Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

0:29
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

1:46
Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

1:46
NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

1:43
See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

1:59
6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

0:29
Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

1:55
Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

0:24
Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

2:03
Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

1:34
MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:30
Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

1:35
NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

1:54
Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

0:19
NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

2:07
Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx

Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx