Washington declares a state of emergency over migrants

The mayor of the US capital Washington, Muriel Bowser, has declared a state of emergency in the face of numerous buses arriving in the city with migrants from the Texas border area. She announced that due to the “ongoing humanitarian crisis” she would open a new coordination center to better support people upon arrival.

The District of Columbia will initially provide $10 million and then seek federal reimbursement. The declaration of a state of emergency allows federal funds to be diverted. According to the mayor, more than 90 families were housed in hotels.

“Compassionate Response”

Bowser stated, “With this plan, we remain true to our values ​​and are building a system that supports a compassionate, consistent, and well-coordinated response.” She responded with the measure to the ongoing conflict with the Republican governors of the US states of Texas and Arizona on the border with Mexico.

In the spring, they began having migrants from the border area brought to Washington, New York and Chicago by bus in order to hand over responsibility to the democratically run big cities. In Washington alone, more than 9,000 migrants have reportedly arrived this way. Most travel on to other destinations within the United States within a few days.

yy/ww (dpa, rtr)