At least four immigrant shelters have shut down their doors due to lack of support for maintenance, activist Altagracia Tamayo said.

Tamayo, who manages the Cobina shelter, said many other sites like hers have no funds to pay for energy or water.

The activist made the announcement during an event held in downtown Mexicali to unveil a mural to honor immigrant advocates.

Albergue del Desierto shelter manager Mónica Oropeza said the number of immigrants that had arrived in the city has increased up to 50 percent.

In past years, immigrants were normally male adults. That has changed over years and now families have begun to arrive as well.

Oropeza said single mothers have recently arrived in the city with their children fleeing from violence in Mexican states like Michoacán and Guerrero, as well as from Central America.

Every single day the shelter receives two or three families with babies.

According to the activist, although shelters are already at full capacity, managers are addressing the issue in order to provide comprehensive services.

Mexican delegate in Baja California Raúl Ruiz said the government has provided Mexicali shelters with about $100,000 for energy bill payment.

Another shelter that has recently closed for the summer season is Hotel del Migrante, lead by activist Sergio Tamai, whose son seats in the Mexicali City Council.

Hotel del Migrante has received half of the funds announced by Delegate Ruiz.

The delegate said immigrants cannot stay in shelters for life, but must integrate into the local economy.