--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When asylum seekers began arriving at the…" description: "\"When asylum seekers began arriving at the southern border in 2018, New Mexico's communities answered the call to provide humanitarian care. Churches, n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/ben-ray-lujan-5905_asylum-seekers_when-asylum-seekers-began-arriving-at-th_2663906.jpg" --- # When asylum seekers began arriving at the southern border… ![“When asylum seekers began arriving at the southern border in 2018, New Mexico's communities answered the call to provide humanitarian care. Churches, non-profits, and local government agencies led the charge to feed, shelter, and support families fleeing violence and persecution.” quote by Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/ben-ray-lujan-5905_asylum-seekers_when-asylum-seekers-began-arriving-at-th_2663906.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/ben-ray-lujan-5905_asylum-seekers_when-asylum-seekers-began-arriving-at-th_2663906.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/ben-ray-lujan-5905_asylum-seekers_when-asylum-seekers-began-arriving-at-th_2663906.jpg) > “When asylum seekers began arriving at the southern border in 2018, New Mexico's communities answered the call to provide humanitarian care. Churches, non-profits, and local government agencies led the charge to feed, shelter, and support families fleeing violence and persecution.” [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Local groups mobilized compassion to meet urgent humanitarian needs of refugees at the border. **In simple terms:** People helped refugees with food, shelter, and support. Key Takeaway Community action saves lives. Themes humanitarianism solidarity activism Mood compassionate determined Type activist inspirational When to use this quote - churches - non‑profits - local government - volunteers Key Concepts civic engagement refugee aid Questions to Reflect On - How can communities sustain long‑term support? - What policies could improve refugee assistance? A Different Perspective Resources are limited and political opposition can hinder efforts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asylum seekers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asylum-seekers/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Local government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/local-government/) [Refugee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refugee/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) ## Related quotes > [We have asylum laws that provide humanitarian relief. Those who qualify under those laws are entitled to the relief that we extend. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-mayorkas/we-have-asylum-laws-that-provide-humanitarian-relief-those-who/) [Alejandro Mayorkas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-mayorkas/) > [We need to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians and accept our fair share of refugees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ro-khanna/we-need-to-provide-humanitarian-assistance-to-civilians-and-accept/) [Ro Khanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ro-khanna/) > [I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-my-new-mexico-values-and-help/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico's children deserve a safe and modern learning environment that empowers them to reach their full potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-s-children-deserve-a-safe-and-modern-learning-environment/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every community in New Mexico, and our local leaders have been instrumental in helping New Mexicans get through this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-touched-every-community-in-new-mexico-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico's rural counties must have their voices heard on the federal policies that impact their communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-s-rural-counties-must-have-their-voices-heard-on-the/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico has many infrastructure needs in order to ensure our agriculture, tourism, national laboratories and overall economy can grow and thrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-has-many-infrastructure-needs-in-order-to-ensure-our/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [In New Mexico, service is in our blood. For generations, our young men and women have fought bravely in our most storied battles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/in-new-mexico-service-is-in-our-blood-for-generations-our-young-men/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico succeeds when our students have access to new and exciting opportunities, when small businesses can expand in new markets and when our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-succeeds-when-our-students-have-access-to-new-and-exciting/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico is no stranger to strong women trailblazers such as Esther Martinez, who fought to preserve indigenous languages, Georgia O'Keefe, who skillfully captured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-is-no-stranger-to-strong-women-trailblazers-such-as-esther/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico's greatest resource has always been its people. Our state is filled with individuals proud of our unique culture and history, and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-s-greatest-resource-has-always-been-its-people-our-state/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [“Frontex, a Warsaw-based agency, said in an annual report earlier this month that the number of asylum seekers arriving, mainly in Italy, from North…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/frontex-a-warsaw-based-agency-said-in-an-annual-report-earlier-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ We cannot possibly take them all into this country \[asylum seekers\] - it is a completely unrealistic expectation. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-howard/we-cannot-possibly-take-them-all-into-this-country-asylum-seekers-it/) [Michael Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-howard/) > [Let us leave the EEC, abolish human rights laws, take TV sets, pool tables and phones out of prisons, bring back corporal and capital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-bates/let-us-leave-the-eec-abolish-human-rights-laws-take-tv-sets-pool/) [Ken Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-bates/) > [3 people get stranded on a remote Island A Banker, a Daily Mail reader & an Asylum seeker All they have to eat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-brookmyre/3-people-get-stranded-on-a-remote-island-a-banker-a-daily-mail-reader/) [Christopher Brookmyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-brookmyre/) ## More by Ben Ray Lujan > [I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-my-new-mexico-values-and-help/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Voters went to the polls in record numbers in 2020 to make their voices heard, and it's crucial that Congress takes action to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/voters-went-to-the-polls-in-record-numbers-in-2020-to-make-their/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will always listen to my fellow New Mexicans and look forward to learning from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-always-listen-to-my-fellow-new-mexicans-and-look-forward-to/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [While progress has been made, there is still more work to do to root out systemic racism and inequity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/while-progress-has-been-made-there-is-still-more-work-to-do-to-root/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As a former mayor and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Fudge brings a wealth of experience to the Biden administration. She will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-a-former-mayor-and-chair-of-the-congressional-black-caucus/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Few diplomats have the expertise of Antony Blinken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/few-diplomats-have-the-expertise-of-antony-blinken/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Paycheck Protection Program has been an important lifeline for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic - and it's help kept the doors open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-paycheck-protection-program-has-been-an-important-lifeline-for/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Growing up as a Head Start kid, I never expected to run for Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/growing-up-as-a-head-start-kid-i-never-expected-to-run-for-senate/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As Navajo Nation President, Albert Hale worked to provide a greater voice for Chapters in Tribal government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-navajo-nation-president-albert-hale-worked-to-provide-a-greater/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Our nation's veterans and their families deserve a VA that will provide the best care and benefits that they have rightly earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/our-nation-s-veterans-and-their-families-deserve-a-va-that-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico is no stranger to strong women trailblazers such as Esther Martinez, who fought to preserve indigenous languages, Georgia O'Keefe, who skillfully captured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-is-no-stranger-to-strong-women-trailblazers-such-as-esther/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The expansion of commercial space exploration holds huge promise and benefits for our country. It will help support government-backed research and programs, provide a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-expansion-of-commercial-space-exploration-holds-huge-promise-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Department of Energy and our National Labs play a central role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-department-of-energy-and-our-national-labs-play-a-central-role-in/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I'm confident that Congresswoman Haaland, a fellow New Mexican, will lead the Interior Department with honor and integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-m-confident-that-congresswoman-haaland-a-fellow-new-mexican-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I've always made it a priority to stand up for our land, water, and wildlife corridors, and in the Senate, I'll continue fighting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-ve-always-made-it-a-priority-to-stand-up-for-our-land-water-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) [Explore all 100 Ben Ray Lujan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## More Asylum seekers quotes > [3 people get stranded on a remote Island A Banker, a Daily Mail reader & an Asylum seeker All they have to eat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-brookmyre/3-people-get-stranded-on-a-remote-island-a-banker-a-daily-mail-reader/) [Christopher Brookmyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-brookmyre/) > [Let us leave the EEC, abolish human rights laws, take TV sets, pool tables and phones out of prisons, bring back corporal and capital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-bates/let-us-leave-the-eec-abolish-human-rights-laws-take-tv-sets-pool/) [Ken Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-bates/) > [ We cannot possibly take them all into this country \[asylum seekers\] - it is a completely unrealistic expectation. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-howard/we-cannot-possibly-take-them-all-into-this-country-asylum-seekers-it/) [Michael Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-howard/) > [“Frontex, a Warsaw-based agency, said in an annual report earlier this month that the number of asylum seekers arriving, mainly in Italy, from North…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/frontex-a-warsaw-based-agency-said-in-an-annual-report-earlier-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What every prime minister struggles with and every leader struggles with is how to balance the two objectives; firstly that of ensuring that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/what-every-prime-minister-struggles-with-and-every-leader-struggles/) [Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/) > [As chairman of the housing committee, I had to help the council wrestle with the pressure on social housing from asylum seekers and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-boles/as-chairman-of-the-housing-committee-i-had-to-help-the-council/) [Nick Boles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-boles/) > [My party's supporters have seen how European political leaders are allowing asylum seekers and migrants to come to us and how they're spending billions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geert-wilders/my-party-s-supporters-have-seen-how-european-political-leaders-are/) [Geert Wilders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-wilders/) > [There isn't really precedent for asylum seekers' being criminally prosecuted at the border before they've had a 'credible fear' hearing. You come seeking asylum.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pramila-jayapal/there-isn-t-really-precedent-for-asylum-seekers-being-criminally/) [Pramila Jayapal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pramila-jayapal/) > [I honestly don't hate asylum seekers - these people are cockroaches and they're doing what cockroaches do because cockroaches can't help what they do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-collett/i-honestly-don-t-hate-asylum-seekers-these-people-are-cockroaches-and/) Mark Collett > [For some time, destitution has been a harsh reality for asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees who are unable to access mainstream accommodation and support.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-viner/for-some-time-destitution-has-been-a-harsh-reality-for-asylum-seekers/) [Katharine Viner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-viner/) > [Journalists casually use terms like crossing the border illegally when referring to asylum seekers - when in fact there is no law that says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-gessen/journalists-casually-use-terms-like-crossing-the-border-illegally/) [Masha Gessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-gessen/) > [Well they're very, very genuine concerns at present as to the status of the 800 people who are to be sent by Australia to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-bishop/well-they-re-very-very-genuine-concerns-at-present-as-to-the-status/) [Julie Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-bishop/) > [Most asylum seekers do get permanent visas, so the earlier they receive the appropriate help, the faster they will become part of the community.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-fraser/most-asylum-seekers-do-get-permanent-visas-so-the-earlier-they/) [Malcolm Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-fraser/) > [All asylum seekers at our border should remind us that we are a nation of immigrants and that we were once strangers at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacky-rosen/all-asylum-seekers-at-our-border-should-remind-us-that-we-are-a/) [Jacky Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacky-rosen/) > [Deporting asylum seekers back to violence does not reflect the values of our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-guerrero/deporting-asylum-seekers-back-to-violence-does-not-reflect-the-values/) [Diane Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-guerrero/) [Browse all 30 Asylum seekers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asylum-seekers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When asylum seekers began arriving at the southern border in 2018, New Mexico's communities answered the call to provide humanitarian care. 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