The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday an allocation of more than 380 million dollars grants for initiatives that help prevent overcrowding in facilities detention of migrants from the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (CBP).
Funds will be allocated to the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which supports state and local initiatives and organizations that provide critical support, such as food, shelter, clothing, acute medical care, and transportation, to immigrants recently released from DHS custody and awaiting court hearings.
In a statement, DHS said the grants are part of President Joe Biden’s administration’s efforts to secure the border “in a safe, orderly and humane manner,” including restricting asylum and strengthening removal measures for those without a legal basis to remain in the country.
The federal agency highlighted that after the implementation of the initiatives, unauthorized crossings of migrants on the southwestern border of the United States have decreased to the 2019 average.
The funding announced today builds on the $259 million in SSP grants DHS distributed last April.
Last year, more than $780 million was awarded through SSP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
Scams on social media to trap migrants
Misinformation endangers the lives of thousands of migrants crossing Central America and the Darien jungle, whose risks are underestimated by numerous false messages on social networks, a threat that can be addressed with some security measures to avoid deadly deceptions.
EFE Verifica, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has identified suspicious messages on the Internet directed at people who are considering leaving their country of origin to undertake the dangerous Central American route.
In light of this, EFE Verifica and the IOM are calling on people not to fall for disinformation campaigns that appeal to emotions in order to go viral, and to corroborate information on official portals and media outlets.
