50 asylum seekers arrive in Albuquerque
The mayor of Las Cruces has called on Albuquerque and Santa Fe to start a rotation when it comes to receiving asylum seekers dropped off by federal immigration authorities.
"If they can somehow take an alternate you know one day. One city takes a group another a day another city takes a group. That would literally be on a 3-day rotation," said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
Miyagishima tells me both mayors have agreed to help.
This afternoon, 50 asylum seekers arrived in Albuquerque and after the holiday, they'll head to Santa Fe.
Miyagishima says initially immigration authorities said his city could expect 150 migrants, but in the last week over a thousand have shown up and federal officials haven't said when it will end, and it's overwhelming the city.
Nonprofit organizations and volunteers in Las Cruces have been caring for the migrants nonstop, providing them food, clean clothes and hygiene products.
The city has set up temporary housing for the migrants at community centers, churches and is using a high school gym during the holiday break.
Some people who live in Las Cruces say they're concerned.
"They're bringing in germs, they're putting our kids in a high school in jeopardy. They say they're gonna get it cleaned up, I doubt that they'll do that," said a Las Cruces resident.
Miyagishima says most of the asylum seekers stay in Las Cruces for only 72 hours before they leave to meet with their sponsor or family member until their next immigration hearing.
They typically fly to their next destination, so they need to be in a city with a large airport, which is why he called on Albuquerque and Santa Fe to help.