History & Mission

History & Mission

In 1986, a new organization was created to serve the asylum seekers and immigrants impacted by the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Formed through a collaboration of the Diocese of El Paso and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the organization was named Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services. DMRS became an independent non-profit in 1990.

After years of service and advocacy, we unveiled a new name in 2023: Estrella del Paso, a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso. Despite our name change, our work remains the same. We proudly continue to work as an incorporated non-profit ministry of the Diocese of El Paso, operating as the largest provider of free immigration legal services in West Texas and New Mexico.

Mission

To provide immigration legal services, advocacy, and community outreach to protect immigrants’ rights and advance justice in the spirit of the Gospel.