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Organizations Call for Equitable Distribution of Shelter and Services Program Funding at the Southwest Border
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2024
On Thursday, April 4th, 2024, a coalition of 28 shelters and respite sites providing emergency shelter, humanitarian aid, and hospitality to asylum seekers at the Southwest border delivered a joint letter to President Joseph R. Biden and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter urges for the equitable allocation of fiscal year 2024 Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funds to ensure the effective decompression of the border region and safe transitions for individuals and families seeking asylum into the United States.
Collectively, the signing organizations have served nearly 1,700,000 migrants seeking asylum over the past year alone.
Non-profits, grassroots organizations, and faith groups play a crucial role in ensuring the orderly and dignified processing of asylum seekers, working in partnership with city and state governments and other stakeholders to provide emergency reception and shelter to families and individuals as they are released from initial processing by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The coalition of organizations emphasizes the importance of federal support, particularly through programs like the SSP, which provide vital resources to migrant shelters and local border communities. However, they also expressed concern over the underfunding of humanitarian aid efforts at the Southwest border in fiscal year 2023, resulting in asylum seekers being released to the street without services, and reduced reception capacity in under-resourced border communities.
One of the key issues highlighted in the letter is inequitable distribution of funds during the first round of SSP allocations in 2023 through a non-competitive process, which led to delays in funding to emergency response efforts, and lack of transparency in the administration process. The signatories call for a more coordinated approach to distribution of fiscal year 2024 funding with intention to address the specific needs of border shelters and receiving communities within the first round of funding.
The signatories of the letter include a diverse range of organizations dedicated to supporting migrants and refugees, including Good Neighbor Settlement House, Hope Border Institute, Border Servant Corps, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Jewish Family Services, Women's Refugee Commission, and many others. In their letter, the organizations express eagerness to continue their partnerships with the administration to ensure the orderly and dignified reception of asylum seekers. They call on CBP and FEMA to collaborate with shelters and receiving communities to optimize the effectiveness of the SSP, and ensure continuation of humanitarian services. As of this press release, they have not received a response from the White House or Secretary Mayorkas' office.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact Beth Strano at Beth.Strano@BorderlandsInitiative.org.
Borderlands Resource Initiative is steadfast in advocating for humane asylum policies and bolstering support for dignified reception of asylum seekers. Through strategic coalition building and partnerships along the Southwest border, we strengthen the capacity of asylum organizations. By enhancing their ability to provide vital support and protection to those seeking refuge, we foster resilience and equity within our communities.
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