Grijalva proposes new legislative plan for immigration crisis in Yuma

Day two of Congressman Raul Grijalva’s visit to Yuma focused on how to end the current immigration crisis in the area.

Grijalva met with city leaders to draft a legislative plan that includes a transportation plan to help migrants get to their final destination to appear in court and possible new operations.

“They have limited resources. This not going to go away, it’s been 28 days and I anticipate that will continue to happen through all of the election cycles,” said Grijalva.

Another option on the table that Grijalva presented was Operation Stone Garden.

“That’s funding that comes from the Department of Homeland Security that would provide local law enforcement agencies use the indirect cost coming from mostly the administrative overhead, but that indirect cost would go to the non-profits,” said Grijalva.

This operation, if approved from a local stand-point, is something that Mayor of Yuma, Douglas Nicholls, does not agree with.

“If it’s reallocating from our police department to this effort, I would not be in favor of that. That’s something our police department work very well with the federal government to utilize that money for the security of the border,” said Nicholls

Mayor Nicholls also stated that he’s not given much time in advance from Border Patrol of when they will release migrants into the area, making it more difficult for shelters to be prepared.

Representative Grijalva added he will have a draft of the plan of action that he hopes to present with county officials as early as next Tuesday or Wednesday.