City of LA secures $21.8M to assist newly arrived migrant families

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will provide Los Angeles $21.8 million to fund supportive services, housing and other resources for immigrant families who recently arrived in the city, Mayor Karen Bass' office announced Friday.

The funding will come through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Shelter and Services Program, with a total sum of $380 million being disbursed to cities and organizations nationally. The city will oversee the grant money, allocating it to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Central American Resource Center and Clínica Romero to support their work with migrants, according to Bass' office.

"The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Clínica Romero, and the Central American Resource Center have been on the front lines providing assistance to new immigrant arrivals in our city," Bass said in a statement. "I want to thank Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security for their partnership and for providing these organizations in the L.A. region with support to provide life-saving assistance."

The money can be used for services such as food, shelter, clothing, acute medical care, and transportation for non-citizens recently released from DHS custody and awaiting immigration court proceedings.

"CHIRLA has worked together with L.A. City, L.A. County and community partners to receive our newly arrived migrant families," Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA, said in a statement. "We are committed with these resources to continue to receive our migrant community with efficiency and dignity they deserve."

Calros Vaquerano, CEO of Clínica Romero, said the funding will ensure they can continue providing medical services. He added, "Healthcare is human right."