Renewed federal funding for Casa Alitas

By New Outlook

Migrant support services will continue at Casa Alitas in Tucson following a renewal of federal funding. 

Congressional leaders approved $650 million in funding as part of the bipartisan appropriations legislation for the US Customs and Border Protection Shelter and Services program. Local leaders had expected to scale down operations beginning April 1, 2024, when federal funding would end but the additional funding makes it possible for operations to continue until at least June 30, 2024. 

Casa Alitas opened its doors in 2014. It operates under Catholic Community Services (CCS). In 2019 Casa Alitas expanded its mission to support the thousands of migrants who crossed the border in Southern Arizona. During the last five years the organization has helped more 420,000 people from countries all over the world. CCS refers to the migrants as legally processed asylum seekers because they have been formally released into the United States by federal law enforcement while awaiting court dates. Migrants are released to Casa Alitas after clearing fingerprints, biometrics, and other criminal record checks. 

The current cost for sheltering migrants exceeds $1 million a week in Pima County. The federal government releases the funding to the State of Arizona who then distributes the money to Pima County and its subrecipient, Casa Alitas. Elena Dwyre, the CEO of Catholic Community Services says most migrants are at Casa Alitas for less than 48 hours. Dwyre said, “We are grateful that Congress acted to approve this funding, and we are ready to continue helping those who need us the most. Even so, additional support is needed to maintain Casa Alitas after July 1.” Dwyre said CCS will apply for a second phase of funding when it is made available. 

In Douglas, at Saint Luke’s Catholic Church, Father Jojo Tabo said he would be ending support services for migrants. Fr. Tabo said operations would cease in mid-April because operations were no longer sustainable at the church hall. The City of Douglas plans to continue services at its visitor center.  

Catholic Community Services works closely with more than a dozen organizations, if you would like to support its mission you can donate online -- https://www.ccs-soaz.org/donate/form or visit https://www.ccs-soaz.org/ for more information.