Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) sent letters to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate requesting financial assistance and reimbursement for communities affected by the current border humanitarian crisis.  Rep. Cuellar’s packet to Secretary Fugate and the Appropriations Committee included letters from the City of McAllen, City of Laredo, and Webb County Sheriff’s Office detailing costs incurred by each entity.

“Since the border humanitarian crisis began, local governments, non-profit organizations, law enforcement, and community partners have been shouldering a large and unexpected cost,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “These communities have expended hard-earned taxpayer dollars in support of law enforcement and community efforts to address the surge of unaccompanied minors crossing the border. These communities along the border which I represent have taken it upon themselves to provide support where they can. They understand these children are coming to the U.S. border and need care. Our local governments and non-profits understand our federal law enforcement are stretched thin during this surge and they have stepped up to provide resources and   assist where they can.  Today, I asked Administrator Fugate for his support for the many communities and non-profits in my congressional district and to do his utmost to secure reimbursements for the costs they have incurred.”

The full text of Congressman Cuellar’s letter and letters from the City of McAllen, City of Laredo, and Webb County Sheriff’s Office are attached here.  The full text of Rep. Cuellar’s letter is below.

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         July 24, 2014
                                                

Hon. W. Craig Fugate

Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Administration

500 C Street SW

Washington DC 20472

 

Dear Administrator Fugate:

 

As you are aware the unprecedented number of undocumented immigrants arriving in South Texas, have created a humanitarian crisis on the border.   Local governments, law enforcement agencies, non-profits and community partners have been providing support for the humanitarian relief effort, contributing personnel, equipment, and services. 

These generous communities have contributed food, medical, and transportation assistance as well as shelter and security.  Unfortunately the continuous influx of undocumented immigrants has made this assistance unsustainable and caused an undue hardship to the local tax payer.  The border communities in my district did not anticipate this expense and have contacted my office requesting federal financial assistance and reimbursement for the expenses incurred in response to this crisis. 

As the Federal Coordinating Official for the Department of Homeland Security, I urge you to consider every option at your disposal to provide assistance to these communities, including budgetary adjustments such as allocating unobligated funds to these communities and reprograming agency funds into programs in which these activities qualify as allowable uses. 

Please let us know of any resources these communities can access.  Enclosed are letters I have received detailing some of the expenses incurred by the border communities.  I look forward to your response.

         Sincerely,

         Henry Cuellar, Ph.D.

         U.S. Congressman

         28^th District of Texas

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