The name “Texas” most likely comes from tejas or tayshas, a Caddo word for friend or ally. Today, with so many women and families being forced to flee their home countries due to personal or systemic violence, Texans are ready to help. Ready to be a friend. The Texas Women’s Foundation believes that Texas is a welcoming state that is made stronger through inclusivity and collaboration. We support Texas women and sometimes that includes those who are seeking a temporary refuge or a new permanent home. That is what we, with your help, do every day. Although our focus may be on Texas women and their families, we also cannot ignore what is going on in other parts of the world.
This list of refugee support agencies from across the state, are connections we have granted to or worked with in the past. It is not exhaustive but is provided to help donors who want to provide support to these women and families.
The agencies below serve refugees coming to Texas from all around the world, Mexico, South and Central America, Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan. Contact information is provided if you want to make a direct gift or you can direct a grant from your Texas Women’s Foundation donor advised fund.
DALLAS
866-223-7500
Catholic Charities provides immigration legal services and refugee services which include, resettlement and educational and support services.
Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
214-855-0520
HRI provides free legal services to people who have suffered human rights abuses, including: asylum seekers fleeing persecution based on religion, race, ethnicity, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group; those protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Victims of Trafficking and the Violence Protection Act; immigrants abused by a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) spouse; immigrant children who are victims of violent crimes, neglect, abuse or abandonment and human trafficking victims.
International Rescue Committee – Dallas
214-461-9781
The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture and other immigrants to thrive in America.
Refugee Services of Texas – Dallas
214-821-4422
RST Dallas offers resettlement services to incoming refugees, helping them integrate into the American workplace and society, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency.
FORT WORTH
Catholic Charities – Fort Worth
817.534.0814
Refugee Services consist of several programs designed to assist refugees and asylees who have been forced to leave their homeland because of persecution based on race, religion or political affiliation.
Immigration Consulting Services (ICS) provides legal assistance to individuals who are eligible under the law to apply for immigration benefits with a focus on the reunification of families.
817-615-9289
817-615-9331
World Relief’s work in the United States, specifically, focuses on helping refugees and other immigrants in vulnerable situations rebuild their lives in a new country.
HOUSTON
The Alliance for Multicultural Community Services
713-776-4700
The Alliance’s Refugee Services offers a variety of programs to welcome newly arrived refugees and support refugees in their integration process.
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
713-874-6681
Catholic Charities is providing services to eligible government-approved refugees from all backgrounds, including assistance with public benefits, medical, and financial needs in addition to employment, vocational and immigration services. In addition, Catholic Charities’ St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance provides a diverse array of immigration legal services in greater Houston.
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
713-333-2200
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative advocates for immigrant inclusion, equity, and justice by uniting and strengthening diverse allies, developing holistic immigration legal services, and supporting creative initiatives through principled, values-based collaboration.
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
713-533-4900
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s Refugee Services department, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department and Episcopal Migration Ministries, resettles legal refugees fleeing their homeland in fear of political, social or religious persecution. IM helps refugees from around the world make new lives in America.
Refugee Services of Texas – Houston
713-644-6224
RST Houston offers a number of case management and cash assistance programs to eligible refugees, asylees and survivors of trafficking. The RST Houston Service Center also provides case management and supportive services to unaccompanied immigrant children (UAC) released from federal custody.
Lower Rio Grande Valley
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
956-541-0220 – Brownsville, TX
956-702-4088 – San Juan, TX
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley is the charitable branch of the Diocese of Brownsville. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has projects that provide assistance to the poor and most vulnerable population in our community.
Angry Tias and Abuelas of the Rio Grande Valley
Donations are accepted via their Fiscal Sponsor TeamBrownsville, Inc., a 501(c)3 charity based in Brownsville, Texas at the following location: https://www.teambrownsville.org/angry-tias-and-abuelas-donations
The Angry Tias and Abuelas’ mission is to provide basic necessities for health and safety and support for human dignity and justice to individuals and families seeking asylum at our borders and as they embark on their journeys to designated destinations in the US.
Donations are accepted via PayPal or major credit card
They work to help asylum seekers who find themselves in Brownsville, Texas and at the Brownsville/Matamoros international bridges, this includes supporting the asylum seeker community in Matamoros, Mexico and welcoming and supporting families released by US authorities into the United States at the Brownsville Bus Station.
EL PASO
915-544-5126
Las Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas providing free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and refugees in West Texas and New Mexico.
SAN ANTONIO
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)
210-226-7722
The mission of RAICES is to defend the rights of immigrants and refugees, empower individuals, families, communities, and advocate for liberty and justice.