EL PASO, Texas: Oscar Leeser, mayor of the Texas border city of El Paso, declared a state of emergency this week after hundreds of migrants were seen sleeping on the streets in cold weather and thousands being arrested every day.
Democrat Leeser said the emergency declaration would enable city authorities to shelter migrants who have crossed the Mexican border.
"We wanted to make sure people are treated with dignity. We want to make sure everyone is safe," he told reporters.
In recent months, El Paso, a Democratic stronghold that historically welcomes immigrants, has struggled to deal with the influx of migrants crossing the Mexican border, and is bracing for a possible surge in arrivals after COVID-19-related border restrictions, known as Title 42, end by 21st December.
Under Democrat President Joe Biden, who took office in January 2021, a record number of migrants have been caught crossing the US-Mexico border.
Republican opponents who favor tougher policies have subsequently attacked his policies.
The emergency declaration will also provide the city with extra help from state law enforcement, as well as extra transportation options to bus migrants to other locations, said Mario D'Agostino, El Paso's deputy city manager.
Last week, the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied an attempt by a group of Republican states to intervene in a lawsuit to keep Title 42 in place.
The states can appeal to the US Supreme Court.
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