On Call, Gallego Pushes Sec. Mayorkas to Support Arizona Border Communities
PHOENIX, AZ – In response to the recent street releases of migrants in southern Arizona, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) pushed Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on a one-on-one call.
Statement from Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03):
“For months, Arizonans have borne the brunt of a national crisis and recent rapid street releases are only further straining our migrant-aid system.
“On today’s call with Secretary Mayorkas, I stressed that DHS needs to surge resources and funding to border communities. They also need to improve communication and coordination with local leaders.
“This is a national crisis which requires a national response - starting at the border. Border communities and nonprofits cannot do the job alone. I’ll continue pushing the Administration and Congress to step up and do better to support Arizonans.”
Background on Rep. Gallego’s Work Supporting Arizona Border Communities:
Earlier this week, 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.