The White House is requesting an extra $4.5 billion from Congress in emergency funding to tackle the crisis at the southern border.
The money includes $3.3 billion to pay for shelter and food for unaccompanied children and the care of families, as well as $1.1 billion for personnel at a time when the Department of Homeland Security says it is struggling to cope with an influx of migrants.
“DHS projects it will exhaust resources well before the end of the fiscal year. Without additional resources, the safety and well-being of law enforcement personnel and migrants are at substantial risk,” the letter said.
The request comes a day after Border Patrol agents arrested a group of 424 people who crossed illegally into New Mexico — the largest number ever apprehended at once, according to authorities.
[Read more: White House wants $8.6B for 300 miles of border fence in 2020 budget]
