Grijalva joins lawmakers asking for more FEMA funds for migrants in Tucson
Southern Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva is among several lawmakers asking for more federal money to make its way to aid groups helping migrants in Arizona and elsewhere.
Grijalva and other U.S. House members are asking for $3 billion for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program — which local aid groups use to assist migrants released by the Border Patrol to await immigration hearings in the U.S.
Pima County officials responsible for distributing the money for southern Arizona efforts say services like short term shelters and transportation will come to a halt at the end of March without more funding. Phoenix aid groups say they’ll face the same issue in June.
In a letter sent this week to leaders from U.S. House Subcommittee of Homeland Security, the lawmakers say "congressional gridlock on immigration reform" has exacerbated the need for local aid work. It’s the latest in a string of similar calls to replenish and expand the FEMA money.
