Senator Sinema chairs first border management hearing

Senator seeks information on resources and ways to assist - News 11's Crystal Jimenez reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) chaired the first Senate Border Management Subcommittee hearing Wednesday to help with issues in the Southwestern U.S.

During a virtual meeting, Sen. Sinema heard from a number of people intimately familiar with the situations border communities currently face.

Among them, Beth Strano- the Asylum Seekers and Families Coordinator with the International Rescue Committee in Arizona. The Committee helps oversee operations at several facilities designed to help and house asylum seekers across the state.

The senator specifically spoke to Strano about the resources needed to keep such shelters running. Sinema wanted to know what Congress could do to support the work done at similar facilities.

Strano told the Senator she believes there needs to be long term funding available for asylum seekers and not just when it's making headlines.

She also vouched for border patrol to be able to receive more funding to be used towards transportation to be able to get asylum seekers dropped off where help is offered rather than rural communities.