Thread: Several dozen Cuban refugees decide to call El Paso home, find work

Several dozen Cuban refugees decide to call El Paso home, find work

BY JILLIAN FERTIG THURSDAY, JULY 21ST 2016

Karl Heimer, the pastor at San Pablo Lutheran CHurch, said there are 28 Cubans staying at his facility planning to make El Paso home.

There are still dozens of Cuban refugees staying in El Paso and some have decided to call the city home.

A Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services spokesperson said they're currently helping 156 Cubans. This includes refugees who were here prior to May, as well as those who arrived during the surge. DMRS said there could be more who may not have enrolled to receive assistance.

KFOX14 News checked in with the San Pablo Lutheran Church, where many refugees were staying. Karl Heimer, the pastor, said there are 28 Cubans staying at his facility planning to make El Paso home.

Heimer said that number is much smaller than when the influx happened in May. He said the majority of refugees have moved on to other destinations. But those 28 have decided to stay in El Paso.

Heimer said the refugees are still waiting on their work visas so they can start applying for jobs.

"A lot of them are professionals," Heimer said. We have electricians and things of that nature that are here and one of them is a professional dealing with fencing. We will do our best so that they can have a job. And that's really one of the things we would like to see. And a place to stay, this is just a temporary place."

Heimer said his staff is teaching English courses and doing job interviews to help them prepare.

Amaris Fernandez is one of the refugees who has found a home in Socorro to live in, thanks to a generous resident.

Fernandez said he also has a job offer for when his visa arrives.

"I'm going to use my music to expose kids in the north to Cuban music," he said.

Fernandez said a local group has offered to have him work in the music industry with them.

He said there's a reason why he chose to call El Paso home.

"El Paso has a good reputation as a city, first of all," Fernandez said. "El Paso is known as a safe city and I want to be able to raise my unborn son here."

Fernandez's wife is pregnant. The couple is expecting a son in November. For now, he's volunteering at the church until he can start a job.

Heimer said he's been told there could be another surge of Cuban refugees in the next six months. Although nothing is confirmed, he said they're preparing just in case.

http://kfoxtv.com/news/local/several...home-find-work

How about helping an unemployed American citizen get a job!

Send them BACK...and the pregnant one! Go use your skills to better your country!

Originally Posted by Beezer

Send them BACK...and the pregnant one! Go use your skills to better your country!

Yes, especially the pregnant ones so we don't have to pay your hospital bills and financially support your kids for the
next 18 years!