New York massacre hits home for Dallas immigration caseworkers

by Rebecca Aguilar

Workers at Catholic Charities of Dallas Immigration and Legal Services office were feeling on edge Friday afternoon when they learned a gunman had walked into an immigration services office in Binghamton, NY and opened fire. Catholic Charities Division Director Vanna Slaughter listened to media news reports in her Dallas office. The gunman with a high powered weapon killed 13 people and wounded many others, before killing himself.

Slaughter says "I think about our safety all the time, and the safety of those who come here." Last year, caseworkers at Catholic Charities saw more than 12,000 immigrants in Dallas. Immigrants can get counseling there for citizenship issues, family unification, refugee cases, and even attend English classes.

Police in Binghamton are still trying to find out more about the gunman and the reason behind the massacre. Slaughter waits eagerly for those answers. "There are many angry anti-immigrant people out there," she said. "There are immigrants who are frustrated and stressed because they’ve lost their jobs. Other immigrants know they’re not wanted here. This is a good reminder that we have to be careful, and watch everyone who walks into this office. We can’t let our guard down."

Slaughter admits they have little security at their immigration offices at Catholic Charities. She says property management has a security guard who makes the rounds. Slaughter arrived early Friday morning to find many people outside waiting for the office to open. She didn’t think anything of it. "Tomorrow, I will think twice about the people who are waiting to get in."

This article was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.