Migrant Families

Two weeks ago I issued a Press Release in which I called upon City leadership to form a working committee, the purpose of which was to proactively address the emerging needs of migrant families and undocumented minors who are arriving in the City of Tucson. To date the work to address the varying needs has been handled by well-meaning non-profit groups. Given that Border Patrol agents have advised us that there is no reason to expect the influx of Central American migrants to diminish any time soon, I believe we can wait no longer to lend assistance to the non-profits who have taken on the work addressing these peoples’ needs.
To that end, today I hosted a meeting in which multiple non-profits, Council member Romero and the mayor’s office joined us in putting the framework of that coordinated effort together. The specific focus was on planning a response to the needs of the migrant families who are arriving daily at the Greyhound Bus Station. These are families who have been processed by ICE and are awaiting deportation hearings. They are legally in the country pending those hearings. Our work is to facilitate their transition through Tucson to family and friends with whom they’ll stay while awaiting the hearing to occur. The wait time for those hearings can be from 1 – 3 years.
We at the Ward 6 office are grateful for the hard work that is being done on this issue by Catholic Community Services and the Jewish Federation. Together, along with the involvement of the Ward 1 and the Mayor’s office we have identified a non-profit driven solution to this continuing humanitarian issue that is on our doorstep. The resources are in the community and as we have done in the past, we will step up and address this challenge.
I would also like to extend a note of thanks to the management of the Greyhound Bus Depot for their patience. We understand the inconvenience they have suffered and are grateful for the grace and diplomacy with which they have handled it.
If you would like to donate items the families will need during their travel, please contact us at the Ward 6 office (791.4601) or Sabrina at Pio Decimo (622.2801) and we can give you an idea as to what sorts of items are needed.
Contact: Steve Kozachik
Ward 6 Council Member
(520) 791-4601
Ward6@tucsonaz.gov