Salvation Army shelter not being utilized due to decrease in asylum seekers

The Salvation Army is still assisting asylum seekers in Yuma, but they are not utilizing the large building they were using when it first opened its doors in late March.

Asylum seekers assisted by the Salvation Army are now being housed in hotel rooms, according to Captain Jeff Breazeale .

He added that although those released by Customs and Border Protection are not in their larger shelter, the Salvation Army is still providing meals and other necessities they were already offering.

Capt. Breazeale explained this step comes after attendance at the shelter has been low, but when traffic picks up again the larger shelter will be utilized.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol said that there are only about 300 people in their custody, but that does not mean that releases into the community.

” We are still working with the local NGO’s in our community to make sure that these people are received as well as possible after they come out of our custody, ” said Agent Jose Garibay , Yuma Sector Border Patrol.

He added they are still making preparations for another possible influx of people crossing into the U.S.

It is unclear what the costs to house the asylum seekers in hotels is and when asylum seekers began staying there.

This story is still developing.