CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 17

Introduced by Assembly Member Jackson

April 23, 2024

Relative to migrants.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AJR 17, as introduced, Jackson. Federal aid.
This bill would request the Congress of the United States to engage in a collaborative effort with, and provide financial support to, California for the purpose of addressing the pressing humanitarian needs of asylum seekers, including by developing long-term solutions, providing operational support for asylum seekers released into California, and appropriating to California the federal dollars necessary to continue migrant services for fiscal year 2025–26.
Fiscal Committee: NO  
WHEREAS, The State of California recognizes the urgent need to address the ongoing migrant situation as a humanitarian crisis; and
WHEREAS, Since 2019, California has been providing aid and funding for migrant services, and the magnitude of migrants arriving at the southern border demands immediate resources and assistance from the federal government; and
WHEREAS, California has seen an unprecedented number of migrant families and individuals seeking asylum, and United States Customs and Border Protection is unable to handle the influx of individuals, which has resulted in street releases and strain on local entities that do not have the capacity or funding to ensure the safety and well-being of this vulnerable population; and
WHEREAS, California has worked with federal agencies, county departments, and nonprofit partners to develop and implement a plan. Through these collaborative efforts, California has been able to provide essential services to asylum seekers, including shelter, warm meals, medical screenings, case management, and travel arrangement assistance to their ultimate destination while they wait for their court hearings; and
WHEREAS, California remains committed to working closely with federal partners, who are responsible for immigration policies and the processing of individuals released to local shelters in border communities, to facilitate the safe reception of migrants; and
WHEREAS, In October 2023, the federal government demobilized the Washington, D.C.-based Southwest Border Coordination Center and San Ysidro-based Region IX Emergency Operations Center, which previously provided California with comprehensive data on arrivals to the state; and
WHEREAS, As a result of these transitions, the State Department of Social Services no longer has direct visibility into migrant arrivals that are not served by one of the partner nonprofits, including numbers or demographics; and
WHEREAS, California has been bearing significant financial responsibilities that fall within the jurisdiction of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, From April 1, 2021, to September 30, 2023, a staggering 472,845 migrants received services at state-funded nonprofit shelters. Following the transition to a nonprofit-led model from October 1, 2023, to February 10, 2024, an additional 62,955 migrants benefited from services provided at state-funded nonprofit shelters; and
WHEREAS, It would help to ameliorate the crisis if the Governor and the California Congressional delegation were to make an official request to have the federal dollars necessary to continue migrant services for fiscal year 2025–26; and
WHEREAS, California needs funding, not restricted by demographics, to continue providing navigation and supportive services to alleviate the burden on local governments and ensure that all migrants can safely reach their final destinations; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That California requests the Congress of the United States to engage in a collaborative effort with, and provide financial support to, California for the purpose of addressing the pressing humanitarian needs of asylum seekers, including by developing long-term solutions, providing operational support for asylum seekers released into California, and appropriating to California the federal dollars necessary to continue migrant services for fiscal year 2025–26; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and the Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.