SOUTHERN ARIZONA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL APPEALS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON MIGRANT CRISIS

Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) is issuing this press release in response to the imminent loss of federal funding to deal with the migrant crisis affecting our region, state and nation. SALC is a nonpartisan trade organization composed of CEOs and community leaders who engage in public policy to advance economic vibrancy and quality of life in the region and state. Our website may be found here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2024

Contact: Paula Toomey
ptoomey@salc.org

SOUTHERN ARIZONA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL APPEALS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON MIGRANT CRISIS

Since 2019, Pima County Arizona has been supporting local non-profit efforts to provide temporary shelter and transportation services toward a final destination to Legally Processed Asylum Seekers (LPAS) using federal and state funding. These LPAS are being admitted into the United States by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and then dropped off in Southern Arizona communities, including Tucson. Pima County officials recently warned that federal and state funding for these services will be nearly exhausted by March 31, 2024.  Without additional funding, and/or a mandated reduction in the number of LPAS being processed by CBP, after March 31 more than 1,000 LPAS per day could be released onto the streets of Tucson and other Southern Arizona communities.

Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) is a nonpartisan organization of 160 CEOs and community leaders whose mission is to improve greater Tucson and the State of Arizona by bringing together resources and leadership to enhance the economic climate and quality of life in our communities.  SALC recognizes the gravity of this situation and urges our federal, state, and local elected officials to give it their highest priority.   While SALC acknowledges the need for comprehensive federal immigration reform legislation, this situation is one that requires immediate action, including from the Biden Administration to (1) avoid the anticipated reduction in funding for these services or to find alternative funding to offset those reductions and/or (2) reduce the number of LPAS being processed at the border to levels that can be accommodated by both CBP and the local non-profit programs in concert with the level of federal and state funding provided.

SALC also urges our federal delegation, Governor of Arizona, Pima County Board of Supervisors, and Mayor and Council of the City of Tucson to advocate for one or both approaches. Immediate action is required if we are to avoid or mitigate the impending crisis of having thousands of men, women, and children each week left to fend for themselves in our local communities, which is further compounded by the overwhelming of our regional public health, public safety, and emergency management resources.

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