Phoenix, United States.- Given the imminent end of the asylum restrictions implemented during the coronavirus pandemic -scheduled for this week-, the United States federal government has not presented an adequate plan to deal with a greater flow of migrants, said the Governor of Arizona, the Democrat Katie Hobbs, who called on the White House to provide more funding for border communities.
Title 42, a set of emergency powers that have allowed authorities to quickly remove migrants during the pandemic, is scheduled to end Thursday, potentially prompting more migrants to try to cross the U.S. southern border.
“We cannot handle this flow on our own. Without much more robust action from the federal government, the current situation will only get worse. I have sent letters to President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas detailing the specific actions that need to be taken,” Hobbs said, referring to the Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas.
“To date, we have not received an adequate response.”
Hobbs announced at a news conference from his Phoenix office a five-point “preparedness plan” in which the state will use whatever resources it can to help with public safety, partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, transportation of migrants, and the installation of more shelters. His office will also establish a joint information command to share updates between agencies and cities.
The state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs will provide transportation to migrants in and out of Arizona in coordination with humanitarian organizations. The agency will also allocate funds for temporary emergency shelters.
The Democratic governor promised that she will not transfer migrants to other jurisdictions to carry out “political maneuvers”, in reference to the Republican Governors who sent migrants to progressive cities.
Despite having a preparedness plan in place, Hobbs said there’s not much the state can do. He promised to continue pressing the Biden government to obtain the resources that the entity needs. Among his hopes is that the Federal Emergency Management Agency concludes a shelter program that reimburses states.
Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, who was present at the press conference, echoed the sentiment that the federal government has failed to help Arizona and other border states. The number of people crossing from Mexico into the Border Patrol’s Yuma sector has gone from 300 a day a month ago to 1,000 people on Sunday, according to Nicholls.
“Time and time again, communities like Yuma step up,” the Mayor said.
“This task is going to be too big… The influx of people has already started.”
