2024 Annual Report
Supporting Our Community In a Moment of Need
Immediately upon learning of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, CASA organizers activated their membership phone trees, conducting wellness checks to all CASA members living in south Baltimore. Sadly, we discovered that two of the workers involved in this tragedy were longtime members of our CASA family, adding an even deeper layer of sorrow to this already grievous situation.
Upon learning this, providing humanitarian support during this crisis became CASA’s priority, as families navigated this tragedy and sought answers about their missing loved ones. While our organizers attended to CASA members, our public policy, communications, development, and legal teams began coordinating with the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA), which tapped CASA and Catholic Charities of Baltimore’s Esperanza Center to provide direct services to the affected families. Because of our deep ties with many immigrant communities and our ability to offer a wide array of support services, CASA was well-prepared to support these families. We began by providing interpretation support, as well as a needs assessment to understand what the victims’ families might need in the short and long term. We worked to direct donations intended to go to the victims and their families to a mutual aid account opened by MIMA. With the situation rapidly evolving, CASA was in daily contact with federal, state, and local officials. CASA was able to secure 34 visas, four advance paroles, and multiple humanitarian paroles for family members of the Key Bridge victims, so that their families abroad could come to pay their respects, and, in some cases, bring the remains of their loved ones back home for burial. We also provided 33 family members with individual legal consultations to determine options for immigration relief and hosted multiple “Know Your Rights” sessions for directly impacted family members to help them understand their legal options. Once available pathways for immigration relief were identified, we assembled a cohort of trusted legal providers to ensure that all family members, including those not represented directly by CASA, were placed in pro-bono and low-bono representation opportunities to help them access the relief identified. Simultaneously, we worked directly with state and federal officials to ensure that relief applications for these families were prioritized.
We also worked hard to protect the privacy of those impacted, guarding against unsolicited attempts by members of the press to contact the affected families while re-orienting the press toward covering the need for greater protection, respect, and support for our immigrant communities. This tragedy highlighted the importance of providing immigration relief to essential workers and other long-settled immigrants who have become integral members of our nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Latino workers are 8% of our construction workforce and suffer over 26 percent of the deaths. They also have the highest workplace injury rates, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
CASA, alongside key partners, held various vigils, rallies, and community actions across our footprint that served as tributes to the sacrifices made by essential workers and a resounding call for justice and fair treatment. CASA’s Executive Director Gustavo Torres met with President Biden in Baltimore on April 5th to deliver a clear message: “Mr. President, thank you for honoring these immigrants and talking to the families. Please continue to help immigrants.”
As we reflect on the collapse and its aftermath, CASA remains committed to supporting, serving, and seeking justice for the individuals affected by this tragedy. We thank everyone who donated to support the affected families directly. We appreciate the outpouring of love, prayers, and continued support as CASA continues to serve affected families and the City of Baltimore.
