Title 42 ending: Arizona Gov. Hobbs outlines plan to handle expected surge of migrants at border

PHOENIX - Arizona officials are expecting a surge of illegal border crossings this week, as a federal emergency policy is set to expire.

Title 42 allows Border Patrol officials to turn away migrants at the border in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. But the rapid removal process ends on May 11. Governor Katie Hobbs announced Monday the state's plan to address the anticipated surge of migrants crossing the southern border.

In the last three years, Border Patrol officials have expelled two and a half million people from Mexico, El Salvador, and other South American countries. Hobbs says her priorities are on humanitarian and public safety efforts. There will also be an increase in DPS troopers along the border, assisting Border Patrol officers. 

The state will also be coordinating the transportation of migrants out of Arizona, meaning bussing migrants to different locations.

The Arizona Department of Emergency Management will coordinate emergency shelter for the migrants, as they await departure from Arizona.

The governor says her administration has been meeting with non-governmental organizations to provide resources for the migrants. Hobbs says she continues to wait for the federal government to respond and step up, but so far has not received the necessary support.

"I've sent letters to President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas outlining specific actions that need to be taken. As of today, we have not received an adequate response," she said. "We will continue to relentlessly pressure the federal government until we truly get the resources we need to manage the expected influx."

Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls says he's seeing the number of illegal crossings increase daily. The most recent count – approximately 1,000 migrants are entering the U.S. illegally on a daily basis through Arizona's southern border.

Hobbs says she’s frustrated with the lack of response and support from the federal government – but says the state is prepared.

"We haven’t gotten specific answers to the things we're asking for that the communities need," she said.

The governor’s priorities are focused on humanitarian needs and public safety.

The governor’s plan of action includes working with non-profit and non-governmental organizations to provide basic needs. State emergency officials will coordinate transportation.

"We will be helping with buses to move people from rural parts of Arizona, to more populated parts of Arizona, and further out of the state of Arizona as needed," said Allen Clark, Department of Emergency and Military Affairs director.

Local and state leaders say they’ll continue to put pressure on federal officials to come up with a long-term solution and contribute financial resources.

"Time and time again, communities like Yuma step up," Sheriff Nicholls says. "But this task is going to be too great. It's going to be greater than anything we've seen in the past."

Every day, 200 migrants are dropped off at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, many fleeing violence, and looking for a new start.

A woman named Carmen says she’s fleeing a violent situation in her home of Peru. She walked for several days until crossing into Yuma where she was detained by border patrol for three days.

Now, she's catching a flight to New Jersey where she has family. She says certain nationalities were processed much quicker than others.

Ahead of Title 42 expiring, Maricopa County says it's giving nearly $5,000,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to support six nonprofit agencies serving refugees. One of those is the International Rescue Committee, which is one of the organizations that help transport the migrants to Sky Harbor.

"It's really crucial to make sure that refugees that are coming into Maricopa County. It can be scary, it can be disorientating, and these nonprofits will be able to support them to make sure that they are able to be thriving members of our community," Jacqueline Edwards said.

Airport volunteers and staff help guide the migrants through the airport. Many are already ticketed and prepared, but some are not.

Volunteers say it can be stressful especially if there's a language barrier.

A bus load had migrants of all ages and ethnicities - Some from Columbia, India, Peru, and China.

A man traveled with his wife and daughter from Columbia. They were detained for four days in Yuma.

Now they’re hoping to be reunited with family in Boston. 

Although these migrants are not staying in Phoenix, Edwards says, resources will be available for those that are.

"So we know the funds that are going toward this really important effort will be going towards providing literacy classes, to housing, to employment, support to aid refugees in being self-supporting members of our community," Edwards said.

A news release was provided after the meeting, reading, saying that the governor’s five-point approach includes:

• Public safety: DPS will assist local sheriffs and law enforcement to maintain safety and security on Arizona’s highways and will prevent drugs like fentanyl from being entered into the state.
• Partnerships: The Governor’s Office has developed a Joint Information Command where NGOs, federal agencies, local governments and tribal communities will be able to raise concerns, share updates and coordinate responses.
• Transportation: DEMA will assist, provide, and coordinate the best, most efficient, and safest mode of transportation for migrants to mitigate the impact of the increased migration on our border communities.
• Emergency shelter: DEMA will ensure migrants are sheltered while they await transportation.
• Executive Action: Governor Hobbs will activate state resources as needed and provide access to emergency resources if deemed necessary.