$30 Million for Humanitarian Reimbursements to Local Governments and NGOs at the Southern Border Secured

Texas Border Business

- Advertisement -

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, released the following statement after the House passed the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill to provide humanitarian assistance for children and families at the border. 

$4.6 Billion to Help Children at the Southern Border

“Asa border representative, my top priority is to provide the necessary funding and resources to help the children, families, and communities that are suffering at the southern border. Inaction is simply not an option. This bipartisan emergency supplemental includes more than $1 billion to shelter and feed migrants detained by the Border Patrol and almost $3 billion to care for unaccompanied migrant children who are turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services.  This bill also includes language that reaffirms standards of care for migrants in DHS and HHS custody. I have long advocated for enhanced oversight and have secured language through appropriations that improves detention facility conditions, standards, inspections, and healthcare services.  It is our duty to help these migrants—this should not be a partisan issue.” 

- Advertisement -

$30 Million for Humanitarian Reimbursements to Local Communities

“This bill also provides $30 million for direct reimbursements for local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California who have incurred massive costs for providing humanitarian relief to the many migrants seeking asylum at the border. Even though I advocated for $60 million in the first House version of the Emergency Supplemental, I am pleased we are able to provide these deserved reimbursements that will ensure that the proper entities are compensated and incentivized to continue their critical humanitarian work. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House as well as Senate Leadership to increase the amount of reimbursement aid in the FY20 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.” 

$45 Million for Immigration Judges and Staff 

“Lastly, this bill includes $45 million for 30 immigration judge teams to properly adjudicate the individuals and families entering our country. We can no longer detain individuals and families at the border or release them in hope that they will return for their court day. It is essential to our democracy that we promote the rule of law and enforce due process to every person in this country.”

- Advertisement -