A celebration to honor Las Cruces volunteers who have assisted asylum seekers and recognition of the City’s selection by Readers Digest Magazine and USA Today as one of the nicest places in the United States will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 2019 at Plaza de Las Cruces.
Approximately 200 volunteers who have assisted asylum seekers who have been brought to Las Cruces since April have been invited to the celebration and will be honored by the Mayor, Las Cruces City Council and City management. Residents and City officials will also herald Las Cruces’ selection as one of the Nicest Places in the U.S.
Music will be provided by UnLyshed from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, and food trucks will be at the Plaza. The event is free to the public.
Asylum seekers have been brought to Las Cruces since April 12. As of Sept. 9, 2019, slightly more than 17,000 asylum seekers have passed through Las Cruces, where they have been provided with food and water, clothing, temporary overnight shelter if necessary, and assistance in processing applications to seek asylum in the U.S. The Las Cruces City Council has appropriated $1,075,000 in City funds to help asylum seekers.
In May, City residents were asked to share their reasons and experiences with Readers Digest why Las Cruces is one of the nicest places in America. Entries were submitted from across the U.S. detailing the people and places that are welcoming.
For information about the celebration, call Visit Las Cruces 575/541-2444.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Las Cruces Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Daniels talked to a group of asylum seekers. Daniels also served as the unified area commander for asylum seeker support efforts at the Doña Ana County/City of Las Cruces Emergency Operations Center.