Ana Maria Martinez Tiburcio lived in Ocuilan, Mexico all her life with her husband and three children. Two and a half years ago, her husband migrated to the US to help his family financially. Wanting to be together as a family again, Ana Maria decided to migrate to the US with her 14-year-old and 8-year-old sons. On 4th of July weekend, they attempted to cross the Otay Open Space Preserve in San Diego, when suddenly, Ana Maria began to feel very sick. In a panic, her 14-year-old son called his father and then 911. He shared their location, but they were unable to get to her on time. Sadly, Ana Maria passed away in the desert with her two children by her side. Her dream was to reunite with her husband and start a life in Sacramento, California.

Ana Maria was just 39 years old. She is the second woman we have helped through our Volviendo A Casa program. We are profoundly saddened to hear that during a holiday dedicated to celebrating this country’s greatness, she tragically lost her life while pursuing the American Dream.

Ana Maria Martinez Tiburcio, May she Rest In Peace.

Meet our 132nd Familias Reunidas bond fund recipient, Saul. He is a 33-year-old Mexican asylum seeker who spent 8 months inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Saul was swiftly reunited with his daughter and his grandmother, who is also his sponsor. We share this beautiful picture he sent us upon his release.

Unfortunately, due to his grandmother’s age and inability to work, she was unable to afford his $5,000 bond. This situation is all too common among migrant families, where exorbitant bond prices result in prolonged detention simply for seeking asylum. However, with your incredible support, we were able to step in and cover his bond, freeing him from detention.

If you would like to help others like Saul you can donate below, your donation goes towards freeing someone from detention! If your loved one is in the Otay Mesa, Adelanto, or Imperial Regional Detention Center and you need assistance paying for their bond, you can fill out an application on our website.

This past Saturday, we visited the Salvation Army men's shelter in Tijuana. Thanks to two amazing volunteers, Jay and Ruth, we filled three vehicles with donations. After crossing the border and paying the necessary fees, we headed to Costco. With the generous contributions we received, we spent $575.50 on food and cleaning supplies.

As always, we were warmly welcomed upon arrival and received help unloading the donations. With the support of Psicólogos Sin Frontera and AFANMI(Asociacion Fronteriza de Apoyo a Niños y Migrantes), we participated in a community event where residents shared their stories, received haircuts, and received both personal items and food distributed to the shelter.

Stay tuned for signups to our next Caravan of Love soon!

This past weekend, due to the severity of the weather, distress calls, and four known deaths that happened very recently in the desert, our Water Drop consisted of only recurring and experienced volunteers. This 14-person team was made up of groups from several organizations, including Borderlands Relief Collective, and Angeles del Desierto.

This team first discussed an overview of the plan and conducted a memorial to then head to the place where Esturgio, one of the four people who died in the desert, passed away. Once they arrived, Rafael and Antonio of Angeles del Desierto tried to figure out the exact location of his death and placed a cross in his memory. Folks added words, Esturgio’s name and dates, candles, flowers, and words were spoken in his honor.

A water drop point with a crate was then created near Esturgio’s cross. This consists of water gallons and care packages with life-saving supplies such as pop-top canned food and electrolytes. This group also replenished 2 more drop points, both established by BRC on a previous scout.

We are so grateful to this group for dedicating their weekend to over 7 miles and about 8 hours of intense hiking. We also recognize the immense importance of working alongside organizations without whom we could not do this work. We are pained to know of the great trauma the desert still holds and remain committed to preventing deaths through our mission of love.

If you would like to learn more about our Water Drop program please contact osvaldo@PROTECTED

Julia Sage is a local Chilean singer/songwriter who is premiering her song "La Llorona de San Diego." She has decided to gracefully send you a version of her new song upon providing a donation to us,
Border Angels!

We are so excited for the opportunity to support our mission and work through her beautiful artistry.

All you have to do is send her proof of your donation by contacting her through the link below, and she will send you her song.

"A songwriter since very early childhood, Julia Sage presently lives and plays in the greater San Diego area, where she performs both as a solo artist, duo or trio, and with her full band, "Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres," an eclectic ensemble of musicians, guest musicians, and some unusual instruments thrown in the mix."

We are so grateful to our volunteers for their participation at our fundraiser at Mujeres Brewhouse last month. Volunteers are at the core of everything we do, from Water Drops to fundraisers. On behalf of Border Angels, thank you for being part of our mission of love!

If you are interested in our volunteer opportunities email our coordinator at osvaldo@PROTECTED.

The City of San Diego is collecting community feedback on Monument Road until September 30, 2024.

This is our chance to push for better access to Friendship Park. Your input on environmental concerns, traffic safety, and community development can make a real difference.

Monument Road is the only access route to both Friendship Park and Border Field State Park. Its current state, particularly the flooding issues at Smugglers Gulch due to inadequate infrastructure, severely impacts access to the park. Your insights on these challenges are invaluable in advocating for necessary improvements.

 How to Participate
1. Visit the City of San Diego's interactive feedback map: .
2. Click on the map at Monument Road (the road heading into Border Field State Park and Friendship Park) to add your "Bike Barrier" or "Bike Opportunity" with corresponding comments.
Add as many submissions to Monument Road as helpful, focusing on how improvements could enhance access to Friendship Park.
Submit your feedback by September 30, 2024.

 The Friends of Friendship Park believe that bike improvements could enhance the overall roadway. This could promote sustainable transportation and address some of the infrastructure issues that lead to flooding and access problems, ultimately improving access to Friendship Park.

Due to limited storage space we will be receiving physical donations by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 9AM to 3PM.

Call us or email us to schedule today at 619-487-0240 or admin@PROTECTED.

Drop off donations at our office located at the Sherman Heights Community Center at 2258 Island Ave. San Diego, CA 92102. We do not accept used clothing donations.

We have everything from t-shirts, to totes, to water bottles! All merchandise purchases go towards our programs and life-saving work.

Visit our online shop here.