/ Modified oct 17, 2024 3:32 p.m.

Tucson migrant operation to receive new funding while spending still in question

Pima County will receive nearly $19 million in federal funding to continue services for asylum seekers who come through Tucson.

Casa Alita beds hero Sleeping area at a shelter that's part of the Casa Alitas program on March 1, 2024.
Danyelle Khmara / AZPM

The new funding is part of more than $47 million in new funding to be distributed to migrant services throughout the state.

The announcement comes after it came to light that two heads of the migrant operations left the organization due to not following conflict of interest policies. The New Republic first reported they contracted laundry services through the former director’s mother and may have overpaid her by $200,000.

The county contracts Catholic Community Services in the migrant sheltering program. And last week, Congressman Juan Ciscomani asked DHS to conduct an investigation into the nonprofit’s use of federal funds to run the program.

So far this fiscal year, the county has received nearly $22 million in federal funds for migrant services.

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