The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook (third from the left) and other community leaders celebrate the grand opening of Comunidad de Luz. March 2025.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) has partnered with three other organizations — Via International, the Anglican Diocese of Western Mexico, and Vida Joven — to establish Comunidad de Luz, or Community of Light, a new shelter in Southern Tijuana that aims to provide the necessary wholistic care for women and children in need.
The San Diego/Tijuana border is one of the busiest in the nation. According to the Latin Times, “about 200 people have been deported daily from San Diego to Tijuana since June [2024].” Since the increase of immigration enforcement in January, this number may be rising.
Tijuana is a hub for asylum seekers. Many either await entry into the U.S. or grapple with potential next steps after being deported. Migrants waiting for entry may be stuck in Tijuana for months or even years and, since many are not from Tijuana, they lack the proper legal status or permits to work, driving them quickly into poverty. Deportees may stay in Tijuana if their family is still in the U.S., but adjusting to an unfamiliar place with no connections poses a challenge and potentially a dangerous situation.
ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons and ECS Board of Directors Chair The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook visit Comunidad de Luz. March 2025.
Due to the traumatic experiences many endure, migrants and deportees may also struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They are in need of so much more than just a place to sleep at night; they need long-term care.
Comunidad de Luz can serve up to 100 women and children at once. They offer services such as job training, language classes, childcare, and psychological support. A shelter like this offers resources and community support, which is critical for many migrants/deportees who have no one else to turn to. Comunidad de Luz provides hope and rebuilds lives.
EDSD youth engaged in service trips to repair and prep the space, while diocese members contributed funds. This project falls in line with EDSD’s Migration Ministry.
Congratulations to EDSD on the grand opening of Comunidad de Luz. This is a meaningful step forward in honoring the dignity and resilience of those experiencing migration, loss, and the hope for something better. Read more about EDSD’s involvement in Comunidad de Luz.