SAN ANTONIO — Money is running out for the City of San Antonio and Catholic Charities of San Antonio to care for migrants coming here, that's according to Congressman Henry Cuellar.
Money that is normally given to them is currently on hold, because the Federal Government is operating on a stopgap bill.
"Catholic Charities, the City of San Antonio is running out of money, and they keep coming," said Cuellar.
Cuellar said thousands of migrants continue to cross into the U.S. at the Texas-Mexico border everyday.
"If they come especially through Eagle Pass and Del Rio, they will come into San Antonio and then here somebody has to take care of them," said Cuellar.
Funding for San Antonio and Catholic Charities to care for migrants come through "The Shelter and Services Program Grant," provided through FEMA
$800 million in federal funding was given to the program from Homeland Security, for the fiscal year 2022-23, which ended Oct. 31.
"Last year the area here, got over $50 million," said Cuellar.
Money for this current year is on hold, because the government hasn't approved a full year bill, and is operating on a stopgap bill. Cuellar said until the government passes a full year budget, no new money is guaranteed to come in.
Cuellar said Catholic Charities of San Antonio is expected to get $5 million dollars, left over from last years' program budget, but he calls that money a very temporary band-aid.
"Two things are going to happen. Either you're going to start seeing people sleeping in the streets of San Antonio like we saw in El Paso, sleeping in the streets, the alley's, all over the city of El Paso or the local taxpayers will have to come up with the money to pay and it's not thousands of dollars, it's millions of dollars," said Cuellar.
District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha-Garcia said she is calling on the federal government to step up and act swiftly, to provide funding. She also encourages residents to call their U.S. Representative.
"We have had preliminary discussions that really make us face a reality, the harsh reality that if we don't get this federal funding, there could be migrants that spill over into the streets," says Rocha-Garcia.
Rocha-Garcia said the city has requested $58.5 million for this fiscal year.
"If the city has to foot the bill, it's going to be again on the backs of our residents. I feel like our residents, yes they're compassionate but at one point or another they've done enough," said Rocha-Garcia
Cuellar said too many migrants are being allowed to cross the border. He said 90% of those crossing, who see a judge don't qualify for asylum. He supports stronger border security and quicker due process.
"If they don't qualify, you deport them immediately. You got to put money for deportations," said Cuellar
Cuellar said the Homeland Security budget is currently running on a stopgap bill, which expires on Feb. 2, 2024.