Local Organization Offers Helping Hand To Immigrant Community

The organization has participated in “Know Your Rights” workshops in town, held free consultations with Catholic charities, hosted fundraisers for people who needed assistance with DACA renewal…

By, Undria Wilson

According to Karen Muñoz, a co-founder, Mano Amiga is an organization centered on improving the lives of immigrants in San Marcos and Hays County.

Founded by Muñoz and Jordan Buckley in February 2017, Mano Amiga was created after Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids took place in Austin, prompting Munoz and other members to form the group as a safety net for immigrants in the San Marcos community.

It began as a project of San Marcos Cinema Club, together with folks in the community who had collaborated on a screening of SELENA at Cuauhtemoc Hall.

The organization has participated in “Know Your Rights” workshops in town, held free consultations with Catholic charities, hosted fundraisers for people who needed assistance with DACA renewal, worked successfully for the release of two men who were detained and helped to campaign for the release of Victor Avendano Ramirez.

“Immigrants across the country are being round up by ICE and detained. Families are being torn apart. For those reasons alone, it’s important San Marcos has an organization in place to keep these injustices from occurring,” says Karen Muñoz.

Another accomplishment for the group was being able to connect with the community and proposed San Marcos City Council to file an amicus brief in the case against Senate Bill 4, the anti-immigrant bill passed by the Texas Legislature.

With its six members, the team hopes to encourage people and the media to understand that all people, regardless of immigration status, “should be treated with equality and respect.”