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WASHINGTON – The Trump administration warned Congress that the flow of unaccompanied migrant children to the southern border had increased again, contrary to what it had predicted a few weeks ago, and that it might be necessary 1, An additional $ 4 billion to provide housing and care.
In a letter to congressional leaders dated Friday, the administration said that additional funds would be needed, in addition to the $ 2.9 billion that she had already requested to deal with. increasing influx of migrant children. The immigration rate has already exceeded the forecasts used to justify this request, which was sent on May 1st.
"Since then, the situation has continued to deteriorate and exceeds the previous high-end estimate," wrote Russell T. Vought, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget of the White House to the Legislature . The growing demand "will deplete the amounts available to finance services that involve the safety of human life, the protection of property and the immediate well-being of individuals."
The increase in costs has highlighted the fact that in his speeches and public gatherings, the president has focused on the danger of trespassing criminals in the country, the immediate crisis at the border is a humanitarian crisis – caring for the sick, housing children, keeping families in remand and paying for additional asylum inspectors.
The government is so overwhelmed that it has begun in recent days carrying hundreds of migrants from South Texas to detention cells in California. Border authorities arrested 109,144 migrants at the southwestern border in April, including at its legal entry points, the highest number since 2007.
The warning about the increase in spending comes as the administration and Congress struggle to pass a bill of emergency disaster relief that could serve as a vehicle for more money for the situation border. President Trump has resisted efforts to provide additional funds to Puerto Rico, which is struggling to recover from two hurricanes in 2017, saying with inaccurate figures that they already have enough.
Just over a week ago, the House passed legislation providing $ 19.1 billion in assistance to communities affected by various natural disasters and farmers affected by the president's trade war. 34 Republicans have joined the Democratic majority. Trump spoke out against the bill, but Republican and Democrat Senators reported on the progress made in recent days in the search for a compromise.
In a document accompanying Mr. Vought's letter Friday, the administration said the number of unaccompanied minors sent to the Department of Health and Social Services for Care has increased by more than 57% over this period from last year. The letter had previously been reported by Politico.
The administration has already reallocated nearly $ 400 million for the response and reduced non-essential expenditures on children's health and safety. He had previously asked for $ 2.9 billion to increase the accommodation capacity to 23,600 beds.
If the flow does not significantly exceed the ministry's worst-case scenario, then the $ 2.9 billion should be enough, wrote Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Social Services, in a statement. separate letter accompanying Mr. Vought. But he added that he feared that the numbers would continue to grow and require even more money.
The $ 2.9 billion was part of a Overall $ 4.5 billion requested by the administration on May 1 for border expenditures, including spending for security staff, additional detention beds and counter-trafficking operations. trafficking in human beings.
While none of this money would be used to build Trump's border wall, the Democrats objected to some planned spending such as detention beds that they said would allow the president to detain more undocumented immigrants. . But they expressed their support for $ 2.9 billion for child care.
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