SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday, San Antonio City Council accepted nearly $21.8 million to continue assisting migrants traveling through San Antonio.
The city had asked for $58.5 million.
While the item on the City Council agenda passed overwhelmingly, it was not without some debate and pushback from one council member.
“If we don't accept the funds, then we do put that on our local taxpayers," said District 4 Councilwoman Adrianna Rocha-Garcia.
Rocha-Garcia expressed the sentiment shared by most council members during Thursday morning's City Council meeting.
“This is really simple: If we don't vote yes on this today, then that federal money isn't used to compensate us for the costs that we've already paid,” said District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez.
The funds are distributed through FEMA's Shelter and Services Program to assist migrants traveling through San Antonio, including the funding of the Migrant Resource Center.
“I believe that by supporting this item, we are promoting a failure of our federal government,” said District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte.
Whyte was the only member to vote against the item, calling on the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform, something Councilman John Courage agreed with.
“I think it's up to us to continue to operate the MRC until such time as a better management operation is put forward by the U.S. government,” Courage said.
Whyte says constituents from other districts have called on him to push the conversation on whether having the Migrant Resource Center, located at 7000 San Pedro, is a good idea.
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, the council member for District 2, responded by saying some of those constituents might be exhibiting "anti-immigrant sentiment."
Mayor Ron Nirenberg says the Migrant Resource Center, which serviced an average of 6,316 migrants a month from January through April this year, helps the city maintain order.
“We can protect public safety, and we can treat people with basic dignity and compassion at the same time," he said. "Which is what the MRC is doing."