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Congressman Grijalva Says Yuma County Agencies Serving Migrants Need Federal Assistance

Victor Calderón/KAWC
Left to right: U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, Somerton Mayor Jerry Anaya and Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls speak with communuity leaders including representatives of non governmental organizations serving migrants at Somerton City Hall on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

U.S Rep. Raul Grijalva said the federal government must support agencies who serve migrant asylum seekers released in the Yuma area.

Congressman Grijalva was in Somerton for a second day on Thursday morning where he met with elected officials, law enforcement and representatives of non-governmental organizations who are assisting migrants released in the community.

Grijalva has been vocal in his opposition to what he says is a “manufactured crisis” by President Trump on immigration and border security.

“There’s an effect on this community," Grijalva told KAWC. "There’s a need for supplemental support. The federal government created this crisis and has a responsibility if they are not going to deal with it differently other than dropping people off. There has to be some support to the non-governmental organizations like Catholic Community Services, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.”

Grijalva visited a migrant shelter in the Yuma area on Wednesday. He said the migrants he saw were treated humanely and professionally. He praised volunteers who help migrants arrange transportation to their sponsors.

Officials have not released the location of the shelter due to safety concerns.

Among those in attendance at Thursday's meeting at Somerton City Hall were Somerton Mayor Jerry Anaya, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls, the police chiefs of Yuma, Somerton and San Luis and representatives from Catholic Community Services and the American Red Cross.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
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