With the lifting of Public Health Policy Title 42, scheduled for May, the number of migrants passing through Pima County could increase dramatically, overwhelming existing rural services.
Title 42 was enacted early in the pandemic to allow the federal government to expel some immigrants from the country immediately. More than 27% of his 221,400 immigrants arrested at the border this year in Arizona were immediately deported under Title 42.
Through 2022, the average number of migrants transiting Pima County and using services each day ranged from 224 to 770. Border Patrol estimates that once Title 42 ends, the county could receive up to 1,200 to 1,500 people per day, overwhelming existing local capacity. Without significant federal support, a memo from county administrator Jean Lescher said.
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Immigrants arriving in Pima County need temporary rest, food, hygiene, baby supplies, shower facilities, change of clothes, contact with family and sponsors, and transportation to leave Tucson and travel to other sponsors in the United States. You can receive services such as arrangements. state. The county is also providing her COVID-19 testing for all arriving immigrants, medical support, and isolation of those who test positive.
Pima County has spent more than $23 million on immigration services since the summer of 2019, which is covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program. A recent federal spending bill included about $800 million to apply her FEMA program to cities and jurisdictions nationwide that provide immigration services.
The county received the April and June grants and will continue to seek additional funding.
On May 11, the same day that Title 42 ends, new asylum rules will come into force limiting the number of asylum seekers allowed into the country. It’s not clear if the county’s immigration estimates take that into account, or the many other factors that could change at the end of Title 42.
Also on May 11, the federal government will end the COVID-19 public health emergency. This could affect various community assets and partners, including hospitals losing flexibility to expand their capacity to respond to surges, the memo said.
It will also increase the cost of providing those services if the federal government stops supplying COVID tests and other related supplies to states and counties after the end of the emergency order.
Immigration services details are part of a broader item on the Pima County Oversight Board’s agenda on Tuesday, responding to policy changes to end the county’s final COVID restrictions on May 11. .
