SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio migrant numbers are once again on the rise. Over the past week more than 7,000 migrants have come to San Antonio. If the pace continues, more than 30,000 migrants will pass through the city by the end of the month.
As the numbers increase, so does spending.
Since the U.S. government is currently operating on a stopgap funding bill, grant funding for the program that distributes funds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio is currently on hold.
"I made it clear to people that I expect thousands of people in the streets of San Antonio. If we are not able to get more help from the Federal Government," said Antonio Fernandez, CEO Catholic Charities San Antonio.
Fernandez said if more funding doesn't come in, they will have to change the way they operate starting Jan. 1.
We have learned the city has recently met with U.S. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss the migrant situation.
County Commissioner Precinct 3, Grant Moody has recently spoken out about the migrant situation here in San Antonio, and said he wants to bring awareness and visibility to the humanitarian and public safety issue.
Moody also said he would like to see the county get reimbursed for it's cost.
"There's a real cost. It's in the tens of millions of dollars, when we talk about our education system, our health care system, our jails, our courts that all has a cost associated with the humanitarian and public safety issue," said Commissioner Moody
Sources said funding provided through the Shelter and Services Grant Program, normally is not distributed until the Government passes a full year budget, but there is some interest exploring the option to provide funding before that happens.
Last year, the government provided $800 million to the grant program. This year, the Biden administration is asking for $1.4 billion.
Sources said the House Budget Bill has no money allocated for the grant program, while the Senate version has all $1.4 billion.
Fernandez said he has also spoken with Secretary Mayorkas about his concerns.
"I have indicated to federal entities, that I am very concerned with what is going to happen here in San Antonio after Jan. 1," said Fernandez.