An Underground Railroad type of system has emerged to help fill in the gaps in housing in the Rogue Valley, especially when it comes to undocumented immigrants, made homeless by the fires in the fall of 2020. An anonymous witness who has been working since 2005 to support individuals and families displaced from their homes shared a story that is unfortunately all too common in 2021.

“Seven women and many children were living in a rough camp above town, after the single house they were all living in burned down in the fire last fall. 17 souls in all. They were terrified of ICE coming for them and being separated from their children. These brave families had made the journey from the dangerous conditions in Nicaragua and Honduras and did not have legal documentation. The womens’ husbands were taken by coyotes to Idaho to find work, so the women were stranded, trying to feed their children and hide from the Federal law enforcement. When I met the women and learned of their situation, I worked with a friend and offered support in the form of supplies like tents, blankets, pots, camp stoves and a van load of groceries. Luckily we were able to work with a local organization that supports immigrants in the area. They got in touch with the husbands in Idaho, found housing for them and transported all of them there. The families are now reunited in Idaho, and while still in distress about their legal status, have dignified shelter.”