Governor Ducey calling for help from Congress amidst migrant influx in the Valley
PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Over the last few weeks, hundreds of migrants seeking asylum, many of them families, have been dropped off at Valley bus stations by ICE, with nowhere to go.
Non-profits and churches are overwhelmed, and now, Governor Doug Ducey is calling the situation a humanitarian crisis, and is asking the federal government for help.
"I'm thankful to the faith-based community and the nonprofits that have stepped up to help in this situation, but resources are running thin, people are overwhelmed," said Gov. Ducey, in an interview with Arizona's Morning News - KTAR 92.3 on Friday.
An ICE official says what's unprecedented is the number of people showing up at the border with entire family units and children, and because of the surge of Central Americans showing up at the border, they're running out of space, and that has led to some of these migrants being dropped off at one Greyhound bus station in Phoenix.
"Two weeks ago, we stopped receiving families because we are to the point where we use all our resources," said Pastor Israel Camacho with Iglesia Nueva Esperanza. "We want to continue, but it's a challenge."
Gov. Ducey is pointing out that some of these churches and non-profits that have been helping these migrant families out are overwhelmed, and called on Congress to step in and help.
Meanwhile, leaders of some churches say the state and city should help too.
"It's good that he's grateful with the churches, what we're doing, but we need Governor's Office help," said Pastor Magdalena Schwartz with the Alliance of Christian Leaders of the East Valley. "Also, we need the City of Phoenix's help, because this is not just Federal issues."
In the flip side, other organizations like the International Rescue Committee say they've been able to serve the migrants who need help without major issues, but agree the government should do more.
"They're left with a bologna sandwich and bottle of water in a strange city," said Stanford Prescott. "That's not a safe place to be and not a good place to be in, and as the United States of America, we should be welcoming these families for them to pursue the legal asylum process."
Many of these non-profits say more people need to help these migrants out. One of their main concerns is that if some of these migrants are left on the streets without enough financial and medical help, it could lead to more crime and diseases spreading.