El Paso to get $6 million in advanced federal funding for migrant response
EL PASO, Texas -- The city is expected to receive $6 million from FEMA to address the migrant surge the borderland is experiencing.
The finds will come from FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program - the funds were approved Tuesday and are expected to become available to the city in coming days.
The funding comes at the heels of the visit from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the border on Tuesday.
El Paso has seen a dramatic rise in migrants crossing the border starting Sunday, and with Title 42 scheduled to be lifted next week local leaders worry that the surge of migrants could get worse and that the city may not have enough funds to address the problem.
According to the city, FEMA has identified $3.8 million for partial reimbursement of the city's request for its third-quarter expenses of $5.13 million.
The city estimated that it will need $4.11 million to cover its expenses for the fourth-quarter. The city did receive $2 million in advanced funding in October, meaning the city will seek to get reimbursed for the remaining more than 2 millions.
The City says is also working with state partners including Texas Senator Cesar Blanco to request state resources, in the absence of an emergency declaration.
