news

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) shared with the community the level of unprecedented effort by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in collaboration with her office to reimburse the City of El Paso and El Paso County for costs related to migrant arrivals. 

“We should all be incredibly grateful to Biden Administration, FEMA and its coordinators for their extraordinary efforts to support our community,” said Congresswoman Escobar.“The agency has been responding to this humanitarian crisis created by western hemispheric unrest and decades of congressional inaction on immigration reform. Not only have El Paso’s requests been met with diligent consideration, but subsequent to my conversations this weekend with Secretary Mayorkas and FEMA leadership, they have also been further expedited on our behalf. 

“I am proud to have facilitated the administration’s prioritization of our community, which has resulted in an additional $6 million in advanced payment for the City for this quarter and look forward to my continued partnership with the Administration, FEMA, and community stakeholders.

“My team and I are currently working with the House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro and her staff on other solutions and funding opportunities through the FY23 Omnibus being crafted now that will augment the work happening at the local level and provide the financial support needed as well. I remain committed to securing the resources our community needs and ask that all local stakeholders enhance their collaboration. FEMA has asked for a consolidated effort. I shared this request with stakeholders over the weekend and encourage this approach going forward. We need to ensure that we are efficient with these funds and are maximizing their use through closer collaboration. 

“I am grateful to the County, City, Annunciation House, the Diocese of El Paso, our federal personnel on the ground, and every person in our community who is stepping up to help those in need. While this is an overwhelming time, and more challenges definitely lie ahead, it’s important that we continue to focus on solutions and lead strategically, with the dignity and good will El Paso has always been known for.”

Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Escobar and FEMA: 

City of El Paso:

1. Full reimbursements for Quarters 1 and 2 have been fully paid.
2. Over $3,750,000 has been approved by FEMA for the City’s reimbursement for Quarter 3, their largest expense of the year for migrant arrivals. The remaining balance is making its way through the approval process and is also being expedited. 
3. An additional $6 million in upfront funding for the current quarter, expected in the coming days and weeks. With the prior $2 million advance, this is a total of $8 million dollars in upfront funding for the City of El Paso.  

County of El Paso:

1. $6 million in up-front funding was secured for a migrant processing center.
2. The County requested assistance for an extension for Q4, which was granted for an additional quarter.
3. $1.38 million secured for Q1 in 2023. 

Congresswoman Escobar has been tirelessly working to propose solutions to the challenges at out southern border. Below is a (non-comprehensive) list of the legislative reforms she has proposed and the work she has been doing for El Paso:

Statement on Safe Migrant Releases (September 2022)

Hosting White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall in El Paso (May 2022)

Statement on Biden Administration’s Proposed Changes to Asylum Proceedings (March 2022)

Legislation Proposed to Establish a 21^st Century Asylum Process (October 2021)