ICE to open hotel space for asylum seekers in Yuma

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is opening up hotel space to host asylum-seeking families in the Yuma area. It’s one of a handful of emergency shelters the agency has opened through a federal contract with the nonprofit Family Endeavors.

ICE announced a nearly $87 million contract with the nonprofit in April to establish a series of these facilities in Texas and Arizona.

The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism for its practice of releasing families directly into rural areas like Yuma after processing. Mayor Douglas Nicholls said this new space is expected to eliminate those releases in his city.

"They do understand the dangers of not having shelter and resources during the summer," Nicholls said. "So it’s my understanding that that will not be happening, which is a great thing for everyone involved."

Nicholls said ICE told his office the facility should be up and running in the next week and has the capacity to hold around 70 families. He said Endeavors will also be responsible for COVID-19 tests and transport.

"It’s only going to be families, those that have cleared criminal investigations. They’re going to COVID test people when they arrive, and COVID test people when they leave," he said.

In an email, an ICE spokesperson said the hotel space is meant to house families temporarily, usually no longer than 72 hours. Families will also be provided medical and mental health care and access to legal aid.

Nicholls said at least eight people have died in the desert borderland around the Yuma area so far this year as summer temperatures soar past 100 degrees. Customs and Border Protection showed more than 180,000 apprehensions along the southwest border in May, but the majority of single adults and some families are still being turned away under the pandemic-era protocol, Title 42.

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