City drops off over 70 migrants at northeast motel as they await departure

EL PASO, Texas– Over 70 migrants were dropped off by a Sun Metro Bus at a Superlodge Motel in northeast El Paso Wednesday afternoon. 

Migrants, most from Venezuela, tell ABC-7 they were processed and brought to the motel where they are allowed to spend about 2 nights while they wait for departure elsewhere. 

Once they are ready to go, they said the city provides them transportation to bus stops or the airport. 

Migrants also said they are brought water and snacks every day. 

A spokeswoman with the City of El Paso confirmed they are working with non-governmental organizations and hotels to provide shelter. 

She said the city is tracking all the expenses related to migrants and submitting for reimbursement with FEMA’s emergency food and shelter grant 

In a statement, the city said since Aug. 23, they have spent over $600,000 in transportation alone. The City and Office of Emergency Management submits for reimbursement every quarter as the process dictates.

As for the migrants getting dropped off in downtown El Paso, the city said the Federal Government is dropping them off there and the City/OEM’s roving teams are going out to where they are dropped off to offer their support. 

They said those you see out there might decline their help.

Some migrants ABC-7 has spoken with said they had not been approached by city workers.