Title: Mayor of Douglas, Arizona Excluded from Border Event, Expresses Concerns Over Lack of Funding and Orderly Immigration
The mayor of Douglas, Arizona, Donald Ewish, was not officially invited to a recent border event, which brought together various mayors to discuss the critical issues at the border. Although the reasons behind his exclusion remain unclear, Mayor Ewish took the opportunity to voice his concerns about the lack of funding and the absence of a comprehensive plan for orderly immigration in his community.
Regarding the claim that the Biden administration is providing assistance and supplemental funding to border communities, Mayor Ewish expressed skepticism. He emphasized that the funds being received in his local community of Douglas are limited to transportation funding funneled through Pima County, located in the Tucson area. This lack of direct funding to address the challenges faced by Douglas raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current approach.
Moreover, Mayor Ewish countered the argument that the solution lies solely in providing financial resources. He stressed the need for a comprehensive and orderly immigration policy to tackle the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Asylum seekers arriving in Douglas often find themselves with nowhere to go, as the community of approximately 17,000 lacks major transportation options. The reliance on buses from Pima County has only been temporarily extended through the end of March, thanks to the efforts of Senator Kelly.
The prevailing political blame game between Republicans and Democrats has further complicated the situation. While some in the White House have accused Republicans of using the border issue for potential electoral gains, Mayor Ewish made it clear that the challenges at the border transcend partisan politics. The mayors of Cochise County, including Ewish, penned a letter to President Biden seeking relief and highlighting the urgent need for both humanitarian aid and security measures at the border.
With little progress on either side of the political spectrum, the mayors of border communities find themselves caught in the middle. Mayor Ewish expressed his disappointment in the lack of movement, urging both Republicans and Democrats to prioritize resolving this critical issue together. He stressed that the situation demands a humanitarian and security-centered approach, rather than a partisan battle.
In conclusion, Mayor Donald Ewish's exclusion from the recent border event has provided an opportunity for him to vocalize the concerns faced by his community of Douglas, Arizona. Lamenting the lack of funding and orderly immigration measures, Ewish emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address the humanitarian and security challenges at the border. The political divisions between Republicans and Democrats have hindered progress, leaving border communities feeling neglected amidst an ongoing crisis.
