Some Arizona leaders are breathing a sigh of relief as the federal government passed funding that will presumably go toward transporting migrants out of border communities or caring for them while there.
There was widespread concern about daily mass migrant street releases starting in April, as federal funding for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Shelter and Services Program was set to expire on April 1, The Center Square previously reported.
Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly said on Saturday that $650 million in the recent spending bill signed by President Joe Biden will go toward the program.
“As Washington partisans fail to secure the border, Arizona border communities pay the price for their inaction – shouldering the burden of a crisis they did not create. I’m proud to secure critical resources to support our border communities, reducing the number of migrant street releases and keeping Arizona families safe,” Sinema said in a statement.
The notion that is would prevent street releases was confirmed by Pima County administrator Jan Lesher on Tuesday.
“Based on this federal action, discussions with staff at the Department of Homeland Security, CBP and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it is our expectation that in the coming weeks we will receive formal notice of additional federal funds that will be directed to Pima County in support of our operation,” Lesher wrote in a memorandum to the county board of supervisors.
The senators, as well as Gov. Katie Hobbs, originally backed $752 million in funding for the program as details were still being worked out. Despite the lower than requested figure, Hobbs praised the incoming funding.
“I am relieved Pima County will receive federal funding to maintain a safe, secure, and humane border. Since the beginning, I’ve committed to prioritizing practical solutions over petty politics in addressing the border, and now, that commitment is delivering results,” she tweeted on Wednesday morning.
The border continues to be a major issue for Arizona communities. The Tucson Sector continues to face a hefty amount of migrant and cartel activity daily, leading ranchers and law enforcement at the border to ask for additional assistance.
The state’s border has surpassed Texas in recent months for migrant encounters, according to CBP data.
They should be going back regardless of funding, what it really means is their NGO ran by personal friends will continue to fleece the taxpayer.
So tax dollars for housing and taking care of these illegal democrat voters instead of DEPORTING THEM
So let’s be sure to notice how thru this taxpayer funding Sinema, Kelly and of course Hobbs are meant to retain their public positions atop their self built pedestals. They know best- so we the tiny thinkers don’t have a care in the world. If more money is spread around then the media will focus on their benevolent intellectual decision making and how humanitarian leftists are. Don’t believe your lying eyes is the second message and the fact they ignore their duty to Americans. Either support their image or shut up about the obscene national security threat of a completely open border with the CBP used mainly as a welcome committee for illegal crossings. Ignore the cartels dictate the border activities and Biden welcomes them as he destroys our sovereignty with his border-less chaos. If crooked Joe doesn’t remember that POTUS has authority to close the border then he should resign as he is a foreign agent working against America’s best interests.
Right On, Jo!
“As Washington partisans fail to secure the border” B.S. It takes one man to secure the border, unfortunately his mind is failing and he is being controlled by his puppet master Obama who is still trying to implement his dream of “one world order”
Yup!
We’re supposed to breathe a sigh of relief because they throw a few dollars of our money at a problem that shouldn’t exist? Now we still have the problem and we have the debt. Self-congratulations are not in order.
Perfectly stated, Mark!
More taxpayer money added to the National debt and for non-citizens…brilliant !!
Why not use the funding to transport all of these unwanted migrants back to where they came from?
So, is The hobbit gonna use this for what it is meant for or just throw a party? Maybe AZ can get some mothballed A-10’s for Border Patrolling! lol
“The state’s border has surpassed Texas in recent months for migrant encounters, according to CBP data”
Maybe that is because Texas knows what is needed and has a good governor.