Gallego Secures Over $2 Million in Emergency Border Funding from Homeland Security, Urges More
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) announced $2,263,885 in emergency funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to support Arizona’s border communities as they address an increase in migrant crossings.
The funding comes after Rep. Gallego pushed Sec. Mayorkas for additional funds for Arizona in a one-on-one call. Following the call, Rep. Gallego followed up with a letter to DHS requesting that Pima County be granted additional funding.
“After pushing Sec. Mayorkas, the Department of Homeland Security is taking a step in the right direction to help Arizona,” said Rep. Gallego. “A national crisis requires a national response, and Arizona’s border communities are on the front lines. This funding acknowledges the importance of Arizona and border states, but it is not enough. They deserve the requisite resources to keep our communities safe and manage increases in migrant crossings. I’ll continue to fight to secure every available dollar.”
Because of Rep. Gallego’s efforts, the over $2 million in Shelter Services Program funding will head to Arizona counties and non-profits providing services to migrants. In Arizona, these entities include:
- Pima County: $1,093,759
- WHEAT (Maricopa County): $1,170,126
While these funds will ease the burden in Pima and Maricopa Counties, they fall short in the comprehensive solution Rep. Gallego has called for. Rep. Gallego has continuously pushed for the administration to support Arizona border communities as they deal with increased migrant arrivals.
Before his call with Sec. Mayorkas, Gallego sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell urging the Agency to fix a new documentation requirement that strains border communities and non-profits in Arizona, putting their funding at risk. It was his third letter regarding issues with the Shelter and Services Program (SSP).
In June, he sent a first letter to FEMA arguing that border states like Arizona need more funding to address border crossings and provide services. He called the FEMA funding model “misguided.”
After a lackluster response from FEMA, he sent a second letter to Sec. Mayorkas directly, expressing his disagreement with the funding model.
Following the end of Title 42 and communications with Arizona border leaders, Gallego sent four letters to Biden Administration officials and Congress requesting specific resources these communities need to reduce the burden on them and their residents.