Torres Small: Funds for towns may be on the way

Local governments, nonprofit organizations can apply

Reimbursements for the care of migrants may soon be on the way to local governments and non-profit groups in communities along the border.

U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small — who represents the southern portion of New Mexico, including along the border — said the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is in the process of finalizing an official notice of funding opportunities. She said an announcement would come soon.

“Funds will then be reimbursed directly to approved applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis,” she said in a video released by her office.

As chairwoman of the House’s Homeland Security Committee’s Oversight, Management and Accountability Subcommittee, she participated in a briefing with Customs and Border Protection, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement

and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to discuss how each agency was using funds from the recently passed $4.6 billion border aid package that includes $30 million in reimbursement funds for border communities.

“I was especially interested to hear from FEMA about the status of their reimbursement process to border communities like Las Cruces and Deming who have been shouldering the burden of caring for migrants,” Torres Small said.

During a tour of a shelter in Deming last week, City Administrator Aaron Sera told the Journal the city had taken care of about 10,000 migrants since May 12. Las Cruces Interim City Manager Bill Studer told the Journal early in July that the city had cared for more than 12,000 migrants. Both cities have declared states of emergency to cope with the influx and have received $250,000 in emergency grants from the state.

Torres Small said reimbursement was available to any government or non-profit organization that has provided food and shelter in support to individuals voluntarily presenting at the southern border. Sera said nonprofits were involved in donating food, clothing and other items at the City of Deming’s shelter.

One organization — Colores United — was also helping pay for migrants’ travel to their sponsors.

Torres Small encouraged government and non-profit organizations to gather all receipts, obtain DUNS (data universal numbering system) numbers and register with the federal government’s System Award Management. She also encouraged those planning to apply to reach out to their local Emergency Food and Shelter Program boards.

“They may have further guidance,” she said.

Torres Small said border communities needed to be compensated fairly.

“I am pleased to report that FEMA is in the final stages of making that a reality and I will continue to keep my community updated as new developments occur,” she said.

Organizations interested in applying for reimbursement are encouraged to call Torres Small’s offices throughout the 2nd Congressional District.