$18.7M Federal Boost for Pima County’s Migrant Shelter Initiative

Pima County is set to receive over $18.7 million in federal funding aimed at serving asylum seekers, according to U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego. This funding is part of a larger $47.3 million allocation for Arizona, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing an additional $380 million to assist local governments. This marks a continuation of support following the more than $780 million granted to local governments last year through various programs managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Gallego highlighted that nearly $50 million will be distributed to Arizona’s border communities, which are facing increasing pressures due to the ongoing immigration situation. The funding includes $19.3 million for the state, more than $7.5 million for the Regional Center for Border Health in Yuma County, and $1.8 million for the nonprofit Borderlands Resource Initiative. Gallego emphasized the importance of supporting these communities that are on the frontlines of the border crisis.

“I am proud to have helped secure this critical funding for Arizona,” he stated. “Our border communities are facing challenges that must not go unaddressed.” Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs echoed this sentiment, saying she will continue to advocate for effective solutions rather than political maneuvering.

In the past five years, Pima County has received over $98 million to shelter nearly 500,000 asylum seekers, partnering with Catholic Community Services in Tucson. This initiative aims to prevent situations where migrants, after being processed and released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, end up on the streets without adequate support. The county has actively facilitated the transport of individuals processed in other southern Arizona counties to ease logistical pressures.

Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher commented that temporary shelters and travel assistance have evolved beyond the initial crisis response in recent years. However, challenges loom as federal funding has been inconsistent. Lesher warned of potential homelessness as vital resources thin out, particularly as the county began scaling down contracts for post-release care amid uncertainty.

Recent congressional actions have evaded potential crises. Just days before critical deadlines, Congress passed a spending bill that included approximately $650 million for the Shelter and Services Program, which is managed by FEMA. Pima County was allocated nearly $22 million, likely sufficient to sustain operations through the remainder of the year.

Despite securing this funding, discussions within the county government highlight ongoing concerns. Supervisors Matt Heinz and Adelita Grijalva argued that Pima County needs to pursue additional funding to maintain its role as the fiscal agent for migrant sheltering logistics. Lesher indicated that there is a speculated expectation from other jurisdictions that Pima County will continue to shoulder these responsibilities.

Federal scrutiny might also be on the horizon as Pima County investigates potential overcharges by a laundry service used by Catholic Community Services. Reports surfaced indicating that Amado Laundry Service charged nearly $412,000 for cleaning services, with ties to the nonprofit’s leadership raising ethical questions regarding conflict of interest. Catholic Community Services has acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing their commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational integrity.

As these developments unfold, the Biden administration’s new asylum protocols have led to significantly reduced apprehension rates, resembling figures from 2019. The implementation of limits on asylum requests during peak crossing periods has produced a marked drop in encounters with U.S. Border Patrol, reflecting a strategic shift in managing border security.

The evolving landscape of funding and asylum policies underscores the complexities faced by local governments and nonprofits in addressing the ongoing border crisis.