**Casa Arcoíris Seeks Community Support to Keep Its Doors Open**
Casa Arcoíris, a vital temporary shelter for the LGBTQI+ community in Tijuana, is reaching out for public support to avoid closure. Established five years ago, this shelter offers a safe haven for up to 35 individuals, primarily those seeking asylum in the United States. The need for such a facility arose during the forced migration crisis in 2018, associated with the arrival of migrant caravans, as shared by Natalia Torres, the communication coordinator at Casa Arcoíris.
Currently, 19 residents benefit from a range of services including educational, cultural, legal, psychological, and health support. This includes hormonal treatments for transgender individuals. However, the shelter faces financial difficulties due to recent policy changes in asylum applications through the CBP One app, impacting the number of residents they can accommodate. They are now caring for displaced persons from within Mexico, as well as from Central America and Russia, among others.
Casa Arcoíris aims to raise $30,000 to cover operational costs for the year, and donations can be made via their PayPal or directly through their bank account. In-kind contributions, such as personal hygiene products, non-perishable food, fresh vegetables, and cat food, can be dropped off at El Burro Rayado cafe.
Natalia Torres emphasized the importance of community involvement in supporting such initiatives, as they perform roles that ideally would be managed by governmental entities. She urged the people of Tijuana to contribute to these efforts to create more equitable conditions for everyone, especially in the face of overwhelming migration issues.
—
**Growing Challenges for Asylum Seekers in Tijuana**
Recent developments highlight the increasing struggles faced by migrants and asylum seekers in Tijuana. Honduran migrants are among those most affected, arriving in Baja California in pursuit of asylum in the U.S., amid heightened border restrictions and process delays.
According to recent reports, there has been a 30% surge in requests for legal advice related to humanitarian asylum applications in the U.S., reflecting apprehensions about potential political shifts that could impact asylum policies. Shelters in the region, such as Albergue Juventud 2000, are facing challenges due to a surge in deportations linked to tightened asylum regulations.
Moreover, concerns about migrant safety are prompting organizations to demand legal residency assurances from the Mexican government for those undergoing refugee application processes. The looming possibility of political changes in the U.S. is further complicating the outlook for these vulnerable communities, who rely heavily on shelters like Casa Arcoíris for support and guidance through uncertain times.