Local non-profits will provide humanitarian aid to migrants

Yuma Sector Border Patrol and the Yuma mayor have confirmed that the Yuma Community Food Bank and the Salvation Army will be the two main organizations helping migrants while they wait for their court dates.

As thousands of migrants continue to enter the United States through unauthorized areas, Border Patrol facilities have also exceeded its capacities.

Deputy Chief of the Yuma Sector Border Patrol, Carl Landrum, said the agency spends about 100,000 dollars a month, making it 1.2 million dollars a year for family units.

” For like food items for the families and everything to get them through the period of time while they are being held, ” said Deputy Chief Landrum.

Both Mayor Doug Nichols and Border Patrol said they don’t have enough resources.

” We are funded for law enforcement operations only. We are not funded for humanitarian aid, ” Landrum added.

A 29-year Yuma resident was present at the conference and was in shock with how many migrants are being detained a day.

” I think it was a little surprising that it can be as many as 200 people a day for an extended period of time, ” said William Bowlas , a Yuma resident. “Will they be given freedom to roam the streets of yuma while they are released? [That] should have been answered.”

Bowlas added he is not afraid of the situation.

” It doesn’t scare me, but I can get a little concerned about are these people allowed to roam the city streets of Yuma because there is a lot of people who are concerned, ” Bowlas said.

Mayor Nichols confirmed that he is in talks with all mayors in Yuma County, and they are asking for the community’s help with any donations to help support the families being released.