Republicans and Democrats debate migrant services

Feb 27, 2023

Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Stacey Chamberlain (Producer), Ryan Tiedgen (Editor)

A government program that provides social services to undocumented migrants is in the middle of a tug-of-war between Republicans and Democrats. Senate Republicans are looking to cut the program, but House Democrats are looking to add more funding.

The Case Management Pilot Program offers a variety of services free for an eligible 300,000 migrants. The services include access to mental health care, affordable housing, childcare, transportation services and legal counseling before immigration court hearings.

The program started in fiscal year 2021 with a $5 million budget. Democrats want to add an additional $20 million to go toward the program for fiscal year 2023.

Not only are Republicans calling to defund the program, but they’re asking the Department of Homeland Security for additional oversight, and looking at ways to reform how the funding is used.

Tags: Democrats, House of Representatives, Immigration, Republicans, U.S. Senate

KARAH RUCKER: A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SOCIAL SERVICES TO UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING TO CUT THE PROGRAM. WHILE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING TO ADD MORE FUNDING.

THE PROGRAM AT-HAND OFFERS A VARIETY OF SERVICES FREE FOR AN ELIGIBLE 3OO THOUSAND MIGRANTS.

THE SERVICES INCLUDE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, AND LEGAL COUNSELING BEFORE THEIR HEARING IN IMMIGRATION COURT.

THE PROGRAM IS RELATIVELY NEW – IT STARTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2021 WITH A 5 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.

DEMOCRATS ARE WANTING AN ADDITIONAL 20 MILLION DOLLARS TO GO TOWARD THE PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

NOT ONLY ARE REPUBLICANS CALLING FOR DEFUNDING THE PROGRAM – BUT THEY’RE ASKING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT AND LOOKING AT WAYS TO REFORM HOW THE FUNDING IS USED.