DHS awards Pima County $21.8 million for asylum seeker temporary sheltering costs

DHS awards Pima County $21.8 million for asylum seeker temporary sheltering costs

PIMA COUNTY April 12, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it will provide Pima County $21.8 million in reimbursement allocation to cover the costs of temporarily sheltering legally processed asylum seekers (LPAS) released by federal immigration authorities in Santa Cruz, Cochise, and Pima counties. The amount should be enough funding to continue sheltering operations through the end of 2024, depending on the volume of border crossings.

The funding is part of the $650 million appropriated by the Congress in March to fund the Department of Homeland Security’s Sheltering Services Program (SSP). Pima County ran out of the last allocation of SSP funds the first week of April. The new funding will be retroactive and will cover the costs incurred since March 31 by the County and the coalition of agencies that provide temporary sheltering, transportation, and travel assistance to tens of thousands of LPAS released each month by DHS immigration agencies.

“I am very pleased that the Department of Homeland Security is providing Pima County with more than $21.7 million so we can continue to work with charitable organizations like Catholic Community Services/Casa Alitas, City of Tucson, neighboring counties, our federal, state and local partners to help legally processed asylum seekers reach their final destinations,” Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Adelita Grijalva said. “The size of this award is an acknowledgement by the Biden Administration of the benefit that our coalition provides to the country and the people of Arizona, Pima County and Tucson. Easing suffering, facilitating travel, and protecting the health and welfare of our border-county communities is a win for everyone. This funding gives us the breathing room to work towards a better solution that, at the very least, will relieve local governments of the burden of mitigating the effects of federal border control and immigration policy.”

As federal funds started to run short in January 2024, County and City of Tucson leaders began sounding the alarm that without further federal funding, the LPAS would be released to the streets without shelter, food, water or other resources by the end of March. Numerous officials and organizations, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, began to appeal to members of Congress about the need for further funding and the benefit the sheltering operation provides to public safety.

“I appreciate the investment by the Biden Administration, DHS Secretary Mayorkas and the advocacy done by our Congressional delegation and Gov. Hobbs for this infusion of funds into our region" said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. "They understand the important role this coalition plays in keeping Tucsonans and Legally Processed Asylum Seekers safe. I look forward to Congress working on permanent solutions including comprehensive immigration reform, so we can realize the benefits of lawful cross-border trade and travel.”

Pima County and the City of Tucson cobbled together the coalition of agencies that provide the sheltering services in 2019 after charitable organizations led by Catholic Community Services became overwhelmed by the sharp increase in releases of asylum seekers. The City and County set up temporary shelter facilities to manage the overflow. As the amount of asylum seekers grew in 2021, the coalition grew to include multiple governments and charitable organizations across the state.

Pima County serves as the fiscal agent for the federal funds that pays for most of the costs associated with the sheltering program and the County also provides logistical coordination and does the contracting with the agencies and vendors providing the sheltering and transportation services. Other costs - long-distance transportation and medical screening - is paid for by the state’s border security and health assistance funds. The state also paid for half of the purchase for the 650-person shelter on Drexel Road. No local funds are used to pay for sheltering services.

More than 98 percent of the LPAS assisted by the coalition travel on to other communities in the United States where they have family, friends, or sponsors. Their stay in the shelter is rarely longer than 72 hours and is usually about 36 hours on average.

Since the coalition began, more than 430,000 LPAS have been provided shelter and travel assistance. Without the sheltering effort, they all would have ended up on the streets of Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, and other communities in the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector.

“The tremendous assistance provided to legally processed immigrants over the last six years has been possible because of several wonderful partnerships,” said Tucson Catholic Diocese Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger. “Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona has worked closely with multiple strategic partners:  the Federal Government, Pima County, the State of Arizona, the City of Tucson, and a host of volunteers and donors. Pima County's assistance with properties on Ajo and Drexel, along with their professional financial oversight of federal funds, remains an essential component and I am exceptionally grateful to them. The Federal funding provided is an equally critical part in responding to the humanitarian crisis on our border. The State of Arizona's transportation of migrants to processing centers has likewise been absolutely critical.  And lastly, a host of committed volunteers representing members of many churches and faiths, along with those of no religious faith, has made possible a humane and charitable response to the humanitarian crisis we face. These creative partnerships resulted in our ability to treat all human beings processed by our government at the Arizona border with dignity. And of course, the continued federal funding is a true blessing as it allows us to continue this work--so dear to our hearts.”

ADDITIONAL INFO

Governments involved in the Coalition:

• Pima County
• City of Tucson
• Santa Cruz County
• Cochise County
• City of Douglas
• City of Nogales
• State of Arizona
• Maricopa County
• City of Phoenix
• City of Mesa
• Department of Homeland Security

Coalition NGOs

• Catholic Community Services
• Red Cross
• International Rescue Committee
• WHEAT
• The Inn of Southern Arizona

Federal Funding from 2019 through March 2024:

• $77 million

LPAS Releases by Year

*Includes Jan.-March releases before County/City assistance started in April

** As of Feb. 28, 2024