/ Modified nov 1, 2019 3:17 p.m.

Nonprofit helping migrants sees shift in demographics

The Kino Border Initiative operates an aid center in Nogales, Sonora.

As the year winds down, so have the number of people detained along the southern border since peaking in April. Arizona 360 traveled to Nogales, Sonora this week and visited the Kino Border Initiative where communications director Katie Sharar offered insight into recent demographical shifts in the migrants and deportees seeking assistance.

“We see a lot fewer Central Americans now. Families from southern Mexico are definitely still arriving, particularly from the state of Guerrero. But what we see more now are folks coming from Cuba and Venezuela,” Sharar said. “There are certainly still families seeking asylum and they’re waiting here at the port of entry somewhere between two and three months.”

At the Kino Border Initiative, staff and volunteers serve breakfast and dinner. Volunteer health professionals also provide basic first aid. Hundreds of people show up for meal services each day, Sharar said.

Arizona 360
Arizona 360 airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on PBS 6 and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on PBS 6 PLUS. See more from Arizona 360.
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