As of 2018, there are nearly 50,000 individuals in immigration detention, and our region hosts some of the nations largest facilities. Immigration detention is growing. Unfortunately substandard conditions and violation of rights are frequent and well documented. Those who are detained are isolated and suffering. They need your help as a visitor, pen pal, and an advocate. Please consider volunteering with our organization by contacting us to let us know your interests. Prior to visitation, all new volunteers complete a free training and orientation session. Join us will you.
Advocate Visitors with Immigrants in Detention (AVID) in the Chihuahuan Desert is focused on ending isolation by visiting and writing to individuals held in immigration detention facilities that are located in the general vicinity of El Paso, TX. In addition to these activities, we engage more broadly in advocacy work related to ending immigration detention. Our volunteers are located in Las Cruces and Chaparral, NM as well as El Paso, TX. We presently visit or write to individuals who are held at one of three local facilities:
- Otero County Processing Center (OCPC)
- El Paso Service Processing Center (EPSPC)
- West Texas Detention Center (WTDF).
