Nogales, Arizona – October 28, 2024 – SAMU First Response is pleased to announce the expansion of its Migrant Assistance Program with the opening of a new Welcome Center in Nogales, Arizona. This facility, which opened on September 1, 2024, operates 24/7 serving asylum seekers who have just crossed the U.S. border. The Welcome Center aims to provide immediate support, resources, and essential services to those beginning their journey in the United States.

In the first two months, the Welcome Center has served 3,588 individuals and facilitated the arrival of 113 buses transporting  asylum seekers, all part of the round-the-clock operation. In this time short amount of time, SAMU has distributed 3,477 meals to newly arrived migrants, who primarily come from Venezuela, Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and various African nations.

The migrant community that we are receiving at the border are often individuals who have endured a perilous journey through the Darien Gap, which is a dense jungle between Colombia and Panama and is considered to be one of the most dangerous migrant routes and challenges to arrive to the U.S. – Mexico border.

At the Nogales Welcome Center, SAMU First Response provides a range of critical services:

Transportation: Free shuttle services are provided to shelters in Tucson, Arizona.

Travel Assistance: Migrants receive financial assistance with tickets (bus, train, plane) and information on their next destination.

Rest and Refreshments: The center offers spaces for migrants to rest, eat, and access amenities like Wi-Fi for communication with family, charging stations, clean clothing, and personal hygiene products.

The work at SAMU’s Nogales Welcome Center is currently funded entirely by SAMU First Response, demonstrating the urgent need for partnerships and alliances to sustain and enhance these critical services.

SAMU invites potential collaborators to join us on our mission to assist migrants and help to expand the services offered to meet the growing needs of those arriving daily.