Since 2019, cinema has secured more than $1 billion for communities affected by the border crisis through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the new CBP Shelter and Services Grant Program.

Yuma – Arizona Senior Senator Kirsten Cinema – Chair of the Subcommittee on Border Control – is working with Yuma County to explore the impact of the ongoing border crisis on Arizona’s border communities and to develop solutions. A round table was held with first responders and local leaders.

“The more the federal government refuses to provide real solutions, the more small border towns unfairly bear the burden of border crises. By continuing, we are able to provide lasting solutions, and that is exactly what I will continue to do,” Cinema said.

Yuma County is at the forefront of the ongoing border crisis, putting a heavy strain on local community resources. Between fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2022, the number of immigrant emergencies and rescues quadrupled his number, and the Yuma Fire Department required him four months’ man hours’ worth of time to respond to these emergencies. had to spend

In addition, five ambulances serve all of Southern Yuma County, including the San Luis, Somerton, and Cocopa Reservations. At times, three of the five total ambulances were used to transport migrants to local hospitals, leaving only two of his ambulances to serve residents in the entire area.

Cinema spoke with roundtable participants about solutions to the urgent service demands that the border crisis is straining small border communities. The discussion emphasized the need to increase the recruitment and retention of skilled workers so that first responders can focus on keeping their communities safe, rather than overburdened with border security. rice field.

During his time in the Senate, Cinema contributed more than $1 billion for immigration services through the Emergency Food and Refuge Program (EFSP) and the new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Refuge and Services Grants Program (SSP). Secured. This funding will help nonprofits and communities on the front lines of the border and immigration crisis provide critical support to migrants, keep families safe, and ensure migrants are treated fairly and humanely. help.

Senators continue to hold the administration accountable and defend communities in Arizona’s border areas. Cinema takes the lead in June Senators in other border states also criticize Biden administration For underfunding and bankrupting Southwestern border communities through the SSP, It was specifically authorized by Congress to help border communities directly affected by the border crisis.

Participants in the Cinema Roundtable included Yuma Mayor Doug Nichols, San Luis Deputy Mayor Luis Cabrera, San Luis City Councilman Tadeo A. Yuma Fire Chief Dustin Fields, Fire Battalion Chief Alvin Ruedke, San Luis Fire Chief Angel Ramirez, Somerton Cocopa Fire Chief Javier Hernandez, Yuma County Emergency Management Director Tony Badilla, Cocopa Emergency Manager Michael Fira, Cocopa Public Safety Commissioner Paul De Anda, Somerton Police Chief Araceli Juárez, San Luis Police Chief Thomas Garrity, Yuma Police Chief Thomas Garrity, Border Health Regional Center CEO Amanda Aguirre, IAFF Local 1234 President David Padilla, San Luis City Councilman Matthias Rosales, Yuma Fire Department Deputy Chief John Lowther, Yuma County Sheriff’s Department Sheriff Leon Wilmot, Yuma County Superintendent Jonathan Lines and Yuma County Superintendent Martin Pochus.