Ducey calls out federal government for handling of released migrants

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By Jessica Swarner
March 27, 2019 at 6:40 pm

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called out the federal government for the way it has handled migrants released into the state, saying officials need “to get their act together.”


“What Customs and Border Patrol and ICE is doing in terms of surprising communities, dropping off asylum seekers and refugees with no forewarning, doing it at bus stops and random locations, is just no way to run a government,” Ducey told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos on Wednesday.


“The first thing we need to do is make sure that our federal government starts to better communicate with our state government, so that we can have a heads-up of what’s happening, how we can be helpful and what we can do.”
ICE told KTAR News on Wednesday that the agency released 18,500 immigrants into Arizona between Dec. 21 and March 20.


Ducey said he doesn’t think a permanent state-run shelter for migrants would be a good solution because most only stay in the area for a couple of days before joining family members or sponsors in other states.


“They need a night of sleep, they need a hot meal, and then they’re going to be leaving the state,” he said.
“They’re going to be going to Maryland or Illinois or Iowa or somewhere with a sponsor family until their asylum hearing comes to a court date.”


Ducey said the federal government has not been able to justify why they are not giving states more notice before releasing migrants from federal detention.



“There’s no reason for it. … I’ve had conversations with them in the past. We’ve got a call scheduled coming up,” he said.


“And I think there is a crisis at the border. There is a crush of people coming to our border … so I think a lot of people are overwhelmed, and it’s a been a stressful time, but I’m confident that with better communication, we can make better decisions around all of these issues.”


Ducey said he wants to thank the churches and other groups that are helping give aid to migrants.
“I know of a parish right now that has 500 volunteers at the ready. They want to be helpful in this night or two transition with food and shelter and cots, but if we don’t know where people are going to be dropped off, people get frustrated and they go home,” he said.


“So what I want our federal government to do is not too much to expect, and I’m confident we can get there.”

https://ktar.com/story/2506455/ducey...ased-migrants/