Washington, D.C., lawmakers approved the emergency creation of a government office designated to respond to the thousands of immigrants being bused to the district from southern border states during its first legislative meeting after the summer recess.
The bill passed through the D.C. Council with a 12-0 vote, creating the Office of Migrant Services after it was proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) when she declared a citywide state of emergency on Sept. 8. The legislation comes in response to more than 8,000 immigrants being bused to the city from Texas and Arizona, creating what Bowser has deemed a “humanitarian crisis.”
DC MAYOR CREATES OFFICE TO RESPOND TO MIGRANT BUSES COMING FROM BORDER STATES
“Today, we thank Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and the Council of the District of Columbia for moving forward our effort to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing our city,” Bowser said in a statement after the vote. “DC is not a border town, but we will not stand by and let the actions of those trying to create instability for people seeking a better way of life. With the establishment of the Office of Migrant Services, we stay true to our DC values by creating a framework for providing support to individuals and families while ensuring our homeless service systems continue to support DC residents.”
The Office of Migrant Services will provide resources such as shelter, meals, urgent medical needs, transportation to final destinations, resettlement services, and translation services. The office will be funded through a $10 million investment from the Washington government, and the city will seek reimbursement from the federal government, according to the mayor’s office.
Under some amendments introduced and passed during the legislative meeting, the bill would also allow the D.C. Council to oversee any contracts the mayor’s office approves, addressing concerns from some homelessness advocates. The bill would also pave the way for immigrants to have access to DC Healthcare Alliance, a local medical assistance program that provides healthcare for low-income residents who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
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The office would build on efforts by the district’s attorney general’s office to provide $150,000 to local nonprofit organizations to help cover the costs of housing, food, clothing, transportation, and legal assistance being offered to immigrants as they await processing in the district. However, some local groups have expressed concerns the bill would limit what resources immigrants can access, blocking them from services available to the district’s homeless population.
The bill, which is set to take effect immediately, is expected to be reintroduced before the council next month as lawmakers seek a permanent version of the legislation.
