Detroit is grappling with an unprecedented influx of migrants, straining the city's resources and shelters, as reported by The Detroit News.
The city's shelters, already stretched thin, are working tirelessly to accommodate the rising numbers. This surge coincides with record-breaking encounters of migrants illegally crossing the southern border.
Federal data reveals that the Border Patrol recorded over 2.2 million illegal migrant crossings in the fiscal year 2022, and this number rose to over 2 million in the fiscal year 2023. The escalating situation is palpable in Detroit's shelters, particularly at Freedom House Detroit. The shelter, designed to accommodate 50 people, is currently supporting 74, forcing them to relocate some migrants to hotels and other shelters.
Elizabeth Orozco-Vasquez, the executive director of Freedom House Detroit, expressed the dire situation, stating, "We do not have beds for all that need them." In addition to providing shelter, Freedom House Detroit also offers medical assistance and English classes.
However, the city's capacity to handle the ongoing influx of migrants is reaching its limits. Hayg Oshagan, a professor at Wayne State University and a member of the city's Immigration Task Force, expressed his concern, saying, "We knew this was an issue, but not to this depth. Where do they go? Where do they sleep? They have no way of seeking or receiving help. Freedom House has quadrupled its capacity. All around, its difficult, and Im not sure whats going to happen and what the solution is."
The situation has prompted Democratic mayors from New York City, Denver, and Chicago to unite in a call for increased federal support. During a joint press conference, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We have reached a critical point in this mission that absent real, significant intervention immediately, our local economies are not designed and built to respond to this type of crisis. We are literally building a system as we go along."
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