Gallego Visits Southern Arizona to Meet with Border Community Leaders, Nonprofits, & Border Officials
Rep. Gallego discussed the needs of leadership on the ground;
updated officials on his efforts to fight for Arizona’s border communities in
Congress
TUCSON, AZ – Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) today visited Nogales, Bisbee, and Tucson to meet with local leaders, nonprofit officials, and representatives from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to discuss the impact of increased migration on Arizona’s border communities.
“What’s happening at the Arizona border is a crisis, and our state’s border communities should not be the ones forced to figure out the federal government’s failures,” said Rep. Gallego. “After meeting with leaders responsible for keeping our border secure, protecting Arizonans, and ensuring the humane treatment of migrants, one thing is clear: our immigration system is broken, and they need more resources and support. I will continue to do everything I can to push the Administration and Congress to better support Arizona and end this crisis.”
In Nogales, Rep. Gallego toured the Mariposa Port of Entry and was briefed by customs officials from the CBP Tucson Sector on their efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking.
In Bisbee, Rep. Gallego participated in a roundtable with Mayor Ken Budge and other local leaders to discuss plans to reform FEMA’s failed Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which has shortchanged Arizona’s border communities.
Rep. Gallego concluded the visit with a roundtable and facilities tour with officials from Casa Alitas in Tucson. The nonprofit offers shelter, necessities, and travel assistance to asylum-seeking families.
Click HERE to access photos from the visits.
Background on Rep. Gallego’s Efforts to Support Arizona’s Border Communities:
Yesterday, Rep. Gallego called on the Biden Administration to issue an emergency declaration for the Southwest Border to provide Arizona’s border communities and nonprofits the resources they need to humanely process the increased number of arrivals at the border. He also inquired about using National Guard facilities in Douglas, Arizona as emergency shelter for migrants.
Last week, Rep. Gallego met with local officials, farmers, and business owners in Yuma to discuss the impact the closing of the Lukeville Port of Entry has on their
businesses and Arizona’s economy.
Gathering at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Rep. Gallego updated the group on his discussions with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the status of the Lukeville Port of Entry, the impact of its closure on Arizona’s other top ports of entry, and his ongoing efforts to protect Arizona’s border communities and get them the resources they need to deal with the increase in arrivals at the border.
Rep. Gallego recently sent a letter to the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, imploring the Speaker to ensure that any supplemental funding package that comes before the House addresses the needs of Arizona’s border communities.
Prior to the end of Title 42 in May and after communicating 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.
In June, he sent an initial letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (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 Secretary of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas directly, expressing his disagreement with the funding model.
Gallego also sent a letter to FEMA urging the Agency to fix a new documentation requirement that strains border communities and non-profits in Arizona, putting their funding at risk.
Following these letters, as well as a one-on-one call with Sec. Mayorkas, Rep. Gallego announced in September that he had secured over $2 million in emergency funding from the DHS to support Arizona’s border communities as they address an increase in migrant crossings.
In November, Rep. Gallego joined Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10) in sending a bipartisan letter to House Appropriations Committee leadership requesting that any FY 2024 supplemental appropriations include funding for critical programs to aid first responders in communities impacted by immigration.
After close coordination with Arizona’s non-profits, border community leaders, and law enforcement officials, Rep. Gallego rolled out his plan to institute sweeping reforms to address the problems plaguing FEMA’s failed Shelter and Services Program (SSP) that has shortchanged Arizona’s border communities on the front line of the border crisis.