As part of our interview series with staff members for World Humanitarian Day, we spoke with Jovana Nieto about the meaning and impact of humanitarian work with – and for – the people she serves in the United States.   

Jovana works as a Programme Manager for the Migrant Accompaniment Network for JRS/USA.  

Why is humanitarian work important to your community?  

Humanitarian work is vital here at the border community in El Paso, Texas, because we receive families who have travelled from countries across central and south America through very dangerous conditions looking for safety. We have to be able to offer them food, water, shelter, medical assistance, and spiritual accompaniment when they arrive so that they can heal from what they have just endured and prepare for the difficult road ahead as they seek safety in the United States.  

How have the people we serve in El Paso been affected by the US funding cuts? 

Since the funding cuts, we have been forced to scale back our accompaniment work. To give a specific example, our safety plans for people have been impacted. Previously we were able to support asylum seekers and refugees with their travels so that they could safely get to their destination cities once they were resettled within the US. This was made feasible through federal funding, since the cuts, it is unclear now how we will support individuals in getting to their next cities.  

JRS/USA’s domestic programmes and the people we serve and advocate for have been significantly impacted by policy changes, not just the funding cuts to humanitarian assistance. The essential ‘closing’ of the U.S. – Mexico border and policy changes that cut off legal pathways to seek asylum and other forms of protection means that there are virtually no people being processed and released by border authorities. Those who do seek asylum or protection at the border are being detained.   

What was the worst moment for you? 

So far, the worst moment for me has been watching these shelters in our communities close down one after another. The uncertainty of what will happen to our families, not knowing where they will sleep or if they will be safe has been the most difficult part.  

How has JRS been able to respond? 

JRS has continued to respond, assisting our migrant brothers and sisters by walking with them and providing accompaniment through case management, legal assistance, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Despite the changes in policies, we, and our Catholic networks and partners, have continued to assist our families. Most importantly, we are still here to welcome people, to offer friendship and companionship as individuals navigate such difficulties.  

We have shifted our work to focus on more of the interior of the U.S. in communities where those we accompanied and helped connect with our Migrant Accompaniment Network are now enduring high risk and anxiety of the U.S. policy focus on ‘mass detention and deportations’ as well as navigating a more complicated immigration legal system.