WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan urging the Trump Administration to coordinate with humanitarian organizations assisting asylum-seekers released in Yuma, Arizona. In addition,  he demanded answers as to a change in the administration practice of releasing large numbers of migrants into Yuma despite a greater capacity in larger cities like Phoenix. This comes after Rep. Grijalva traveled to Yuma last week and met with humanitarian organizations and local and state officials to discuss the issue. The letter read in part:

“During my visit, numerous individuals brought to my attention a recent change in the location where DHS releases families. Fewer families are released in Phoenix, yet larger numbers of families are now released in Yuma, Arizona. In the past, your agency was releasing a higher number of families in Phoenix, but it appears that there was a change in your agency’s internal policy and practices.

“It is imperative that you continue to engage stakeholders who are providing shelter and assistance to asylum seeking families by providing details in advance of the number of families that DHS is releasing in Arizona. Additionally, I would like more details about why your agency is now releasing more families in Yuma, Arizona where capacity is severely limited instead of a more centrally located city like Phoenix with more available resources. With increasingly high numbers of asylum-seeking families arriving at our southern border, I expect an expedient reply to this letter.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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