For its efforts in aiding and assisting asylum seekers who have come to the U.S., the City of Las Cruces was recognized Monday, Aug. 19, 2019 as one of 13 real-life heroes on World Humanitarian Day. Here is a statement from the city:
“This is too cool,” exclaimed Mayor Ken Miyagishima. “The whole community was named as a hero. I am honored and so proud of our residents, our City Council and City administration for their compassion and extra efforts to help so many of these people who had no place to turn for help.”
Las Cruces officially began receiving asylum seekers on April 12 and approximately 17,000 had arrived in the City as of Monday. However, some non-governmental organizations, such as churches and faith-based agencies, have been assisting asylum seekers for several years. So far, the Las Cruces City Council has approved $1,075,000 to care for asylum seekers.
Las Cruces was among 13 real-life heroes included in a story published Monday at USA TODAY.com. Monday was World Humanitarian Day. World Humanitarian Day is dedicated to people – and in this case, communities – working for humanitarian causes. Additional humanitarian heroes included Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, and Malala Yousafzai, the women’s education advocate and youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient ever.
“I am so proud of Las Cruces, said Las Cruces Fire Department Chief Eric Enriquez, who serves as the unified area commander of the City’s efforts to assist asylum seekers. “We have come together as one community with one great act of kindness.
“Helping others in need, now that is what heroes are made of.”
The list of heroes was compiled by 24/7 Tempo, a member of the 24/7 Wall St. Media Network, from various sources such as the Good News Network and other media sources.