Officials in Pima County say they’re still waiting on several million dollars from the federal government to help fund short-term shelter, transportation and other support for asylum seekers and migrants.
In recent years, FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program has given funding to local jurisdictions around the country that are providing short-term shelter, medical assistance, transportation and other services to asylum seekers and migrants legally released by the Border Patrol to pursue immigration cases in the U.S.
The program’s latest grant cycle, last August, green-lit roughly $48 million to fund those services in Arizona communities — including almost $19 million for Pima County.
It’s a reimbursement system, meaning communities receive funds to cover expenses after the fact.
In a letter sent to Pima County this month, Homeland Security officials say three grants given to the country in 2023 and 2024 have been officially terminated — and FEMA is determining whether reimbursement is possible under the agency’s new guidelines.
The agency claims the program provided “support for illegal aliens," though, even though local authorities worked directly with Border Patrol to receive only migrants legally released into the U.S.
“The individuals receiving these services often have no legal status and are in the United States unlawfully, such as those awaiting removal proceedings,” the report reads. “This, in turn, provides support for illegal aliens and is not consistent with DHS' s current priorities.”
The county closed its asylum seeker shelter Casa Alitas earlier this year, when arrivals there dipped to zero, but officials say the county is still waiting on a $10 million reimbursement from FEMA.
