The disaster declaration is in effect as the lifting of Title 42 nears
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser has issued a disaster declaration over the migrant influx for the 2nd time in 6 months, as hundreds of migrants cross the border.
Mayor Oscar Leeser states the disaster declaration is done in preparation so that the city can start setting up shelters. Mayor Leeser says that asylum seekers should only be staying within those shelters for one to two days.
According to city leaders, the declaration allows the city to tap into federal and state funds and partner with the American Red Cross to manage the humanitarian crisis.
The city is also preparing to open two temporary shelters at the vacant Bassett Middle School in Central El Paso and Morehead Middle School on the West Side.
Even once Title 42 is lifted, the U.S. Border Patrol is still enforcing the Title 8 immigration law, which includes deportation and a five-year re-entry ban.
