Las Cruces, New Mexico officials reported on Monday that Border Patrol agents released almost 1,600 migrants into the town of just over 100,000 residents over a 10-day period, forcing the city to spend $75,000 on humanitarian assistance. A Border Patrol agent helps migrants out of a van at the Gospel Rescue Mission homeless shelter in Las Cruces earlier this month. On April 12, CBP began releasing the migrants apprehended in the El Paso Sector, according to KVIA ABC7, which come as the agency reaches a breaking point trying to handle thousands of Central American migrant families crossing the border illegally in West Texas and the New Mexico boot heel, reports Breitbart's Bob Price.
The City of Las Cruces responded by setting up a network of temporary shelters to house the “asylum seekers” while they attempt to arrange travel to other parts of the U.S., the Las Cruces Sun News reported. Nearly 1,200 were dropped off by Border Patrol agents during the first week alone.
Mayor Ken Miyagishima told the local newspaper that most of the migrants move out quickly. He said, “75 percent are gone.” He explained the City is providing resources to about 250 people at any given time. -Breitbart
Mayor Miyagishima made arrangements with Santa Fe and Albuquerque to take migrants on a rotating basis, according to the report. "It looks like they’ll be taking some. We just need to figure out transportation," he said, adding "We could easily handle 200, but not 200 a day."
That’s why I’m thinking if Santa Fe can do 150 to 200 every three days, I think it is more manageable."
Homeland Security officials based in New Mexico told KVIA that they expect more "asylum seekers" to be dropped off in Law Cruces "for several more weeks.