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DATE: |
December 5, 2023 |
30 |
SUBJECT:
Title
ENHANCING HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RELIEF: SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR ASYLUM SEEKING MIGRANTS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
Details
With the expiration of Title 42 restrictions this past May, San Diego County and a coordinated network of NGOs, grassroot groups and community members have faced an unprecedented level of pressure, exceeding their capacity due to the number of arrivals of asylum-seeking migrants. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) continue to work tirelessly to respond to this influx of individuals. As a border community we have a long history of welcoming new arrivals, however, this situation has become more and more difficult to sustain. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released over 42,000 individuals in San Diego County between September and November of this year.
In our commitment to provide support during this humanitarian crisis, on October 10, 2023 (14), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved reallocating $3.0 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to make these funds available to support our local partners in their work with asylum seeking migrants and mitigate street releases. This action improved the ability to manage asylum seeking migrant relocations efficiently. These funds were designated to provide essential services to individuals processed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), such as translation assistance, geographic information, transportation services, access to equipment and Wi-Fi to contact U.S. sponsors and other services to facilitate their onward travel to their final destination in the U.S. This assistance enables asylum seeking migrants entering the United States to reunite with their U.S. sponsors.
Today’s action is requesting the Board to allocate additional ARPA funds provided by the federal government to make funding available to mitigate additional street releases in San Diego County through the winter by extending funding.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHAIRWOMAN NORA VARGAS AND SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
1. Revise the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Framework to use $3.0 million of the funding anticipated to be allocated to the Evergreen element of the County’s ARPA Framework to fund the grant agreement(s) authorized by the Board of Supervisors on October 10, 2023 (14), and increase the aggregate amount authorized for such agreements by $3.0 million.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to utilize a lost revenue strategy under the final ARPA guidance based on previously allocated General Purpose Revenue in the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) General Relief Program and transfer revenue of $3.0 million from Finance Other, Intergovernmental Revenue to HHSA, based on ARPA revenue to replace previously allocated General Purpose Revenue for the General Relief Program and transfer appropriations of $3.0 million from Finance Other, Other Charges, to the HHSA, Services and Supplies, to fund a grant extension to provide supportive services to asylum seeking migrants using General Purpose Revenue.
3. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to amend the grant agreement for the provision of supportive services to asylum seeking migrants released in San Diego County by the federal government, entered into pursuant to the authority granted on October 10, 2023 (14), to increase the amount of funding by an additional $3.0 million, to extend the term of the agreement through the end of March 2024, and to make minor amendments to the agreement that do not change the purpose or amount of the grant.
4. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer designee(s) to pursue future funding opportunities, if available, for current and future fiscal years related to supportive services for asylum seeking migrants.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
By allocating additional federal ARPA funds, we can further mitigate street releases while also persistently pursuing ongoing federal support. This aligns with our mission to address the inhumane practice of releasing asylum-seeking migrants without adequate support, ultimately safeguarding the quality of life within our communities.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County, in partnership with non-profit organizations and with the support of federal ARPA funds, can offer vital assistance to individuals affected by the migrant crisis. This collaborative effort not only alleviates the burden on local resources and services but also strengthens our ability to address immediate needs. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in promoting the long-term sustainability of our communities by establishing a unified and resilient support system.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds associated with today’s request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Adopted Operational Plan. If approved, this request will result in additional one-time costs and revenue of $3.0 million. The funding source for the $3.0 million additional grant award is existing General Purpose Revenue. Available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds of $3.0 million will be recognized as lost revenue and redirected to the General Relief Program. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
Mitigating street releases and providing assistance to this population, will ensure we uphold the stability of our community and local business environment, ensuring that businesses can continue their operations. Additionally, this approach highlights our dedication to promoting economic prosperity and ensuring that the needs in the areas of health, public safety and welfare are met.
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
The current humanitarian and migrant crisis situation underscores a significant federal immigration issue that has overwhelmed local communities, particularly impacting San Diego County and other border jurisdictions. With an evolving immigration landscape, which includes the Administration’s decision to lift Title 42, as a result of the COVID-19 federal health emergency ending, border counties like San Diego County have stepped in to help manage the influx of asylum-seeking migrants.
While immigration policy and enforcement are a responsibility of our federal government, the County, State, and partner agencies have stepped in to manage the unprecedented number of asylum-seeking migrants passing through our region, a pattern that will continue given our location as a permanent border community. However, the situation has become increasingly complex as Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) released over 42,000 individuals in San Diego County between September and November of this year.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Board of Supervisors took action on October 10, 2023, to approve the reallocation of $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, making funding available to local partners. These funds were designated to provide a range of essential services, including geographic relocation and information, translation assistance, transportation services, access to equipment and Wi-Fi, and other critical support for individuals processed by CBP, to facilitate their onward move from San Diego County to their final destination.
The leveraging of additional ARPA funds for this purpose reflects the County’s commitment to address a federal issue with federal resources to manage and respond to the complex dynamics of this crisis.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s actions to address the asylum-seeking migrant crisis are intricately tied to the County of San Diego's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Specifically, these actions align with the strategic plan's initiatives and directly contribute to the strategic plan's objectives of promoting sustainability by managing resources effectively, fostering effectiveness by addressing humanitarian needs, and strengthening our sense of community through collaborative efforts to support vulnerable populations.
Details
Respectfully submitted,
Nora Vargas JOEL ANDERSON
Chairwoman, First District Supervisor, Second District
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