The U.S. Border Patrol said on Wednesday the Yuma sector was holding more than double the number of migrants than the area has room for, and the cost of supplies for migrants has jumped significantly.
The mayor of Yuma declared a local emergency on Tuesday due to the number of migrants — most of them families — dropped off by the Border Patrol in the city.
But the migrants need supplies, like diapers, while they’re still in Border Patrol custody. Last fiscal year, the Yuma sector spent an average of about $28,000 a month for those kinds of necessities.
Now the price is skyrocketing, said Agent Jose Garibay III.
“Over $100,000 we’re having to spend now a month on just the humanitarian cost. Blankets, baby formula — things like that,” he said.
The Border Patrol releases migrants in Yuma if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn’t have enough space to take custody and bring them to Phoenix, Garibay said.
