The Immigration and Customs Service is opening hotel areas to accommodate asylum-seeking families in the Yuma region. It is one of a handful of emergency shelters that ICE opened through a federal contract with the non-profit Family Endeavor.
ICE announced a nearly $ 87 million contract with Family Endeavor in April to build a number of these facilities in Texas and Arizona.
The Department of Homeland Security has been criticized for its practice of releasing families directly to rural areas such as Yuma after processing. Mayor Douglas Nicholls says this new space is expected to eliminate these releases in his city.
“They understand the dangers of not having shelter and resources in the summer,” said Nicholls. “So as far as I understand it won’t happen, which is a great thing for everyone involved.”
Nicholls says ICE has told his office that the facility is scheduled to open within the next week and can accommodate about 70 families. Endeavours will also be responsible for COVID-19 testing and transportation.
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