Interview No. 1821
Interviewer
Eloisa Arenas
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
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Summary of Interview
Claudia Hernández Arteaga, originally from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is a mother of four who has lived in El Paso since 2005. The daughter of indigenous teachers, she spent her early years in Chihuahua City and the Sierra Tarahumara. Her decision to migrate was driven by the "terrible" escalation of organized crime violence in Chihuahua; the final "push" came when she and her husband witnessed the aftermath of a massacre where their neighbors, a family of teachers, were killed in their home. Arriving in El Paso with a one-year-old and another child on the way, Hernández faced significant challenges, including a language barrier, social isolation, and a physical injury. She vividly recalls the kindness of a Puerto Rican neighbor who provided food and laundry assistance while Hernández was immobilized with a broken leg, a formative experience of solidarity that continues to drive her humanitarian work today.
Now in her twelfth year at Annunciation House (Casa de Anunciación), Hernández serves as a vital coordinator for the network’s migrant shelters. Her journey with the organization began as a donor and volunteer before she transitioned into a professional role managing food logistics and outreach. Working primarily out of Casa Papa Francisco, she oversees the daily rhythms of the shelter—from preparing communal meals to assigning chores that help guests maintain a sense of purpose during their stays. She describes the arrival of new "guests" from immigration detention as a critical moment of restoration, where providing a hot shower, clean clothes, and a safe bed serves to re-humanize individuals who have often been treated as "less than human" during their journey.
Reflecting on the current state of the border, Hernández expresses deep concern over the "uncertainty" and lack of clarity in modern immigration policies. She notes a heartbreaking trend where many families who entered legally via the CBP One app are being deported at high rates without a full chance to present their cases, often returning to their home countries with nothing after selling all their possessions to make the trip.
Despite the emotional toll of hearing "inhumane" stories, she finds strength in her community of volunteers and her four children. She describes the El Paso-Juárez border as a "zone of war" and struggle that is simultaneously a profound example of "God's mercy" (misericordia de Dios), where the collective resistance and caritative spirit of the community offer a "respite of hope" to those in need.
Date of Interview
2026
Length of Interview
43 minutes
Interview Number
1821
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Claudia Beltran by Eloisa Arenas, 2026, "Interview No. 1821," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.