D.C. officials have started scaling back their migrant services, following the cessation of bus transportation from Texas and Arizona to D.C. five months ago.
The city was becoming increasingly overwhelmed at one point.
There are approximately 600 migrants living in two hotels in the District, as well as a third hotel in Northeast D.C., the Days Inn, which will close for migrant usage on Friday, according to officials.
Over 13,000 migrants were transported to the District by the governors of Texas and Arizona via buses. Some were even dropped off in front of the vice president’s home as a form of protest against President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. This began in April 2022.
Andrea Sanchez, along with her husband and two children, was one of the migrants who eventually made their way to the District. They spent 10 months living in the Days Inn before moving to Maryland last year.
“It’s no walk in the park being an immigrant in this country,” remarked Sanchez, a Venezuelan immigrant who relocated to D.C. “However, I must say that my experience thus far has been rather positive. I have no grievances or complaints to share.”
She added that Washington, D.C. has provided us with a lot of support, and in her case, it has been a positive experience.
According to district officials, it is estimated that the city has spent a total of $59 million since 2022 to provide accommodation and meals for migrants in the three hotels, with stays lasting up to a year.
According to City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, they believed it was crucial to provide assistance and thus took the initiative to offer their support.
According to Mendelson, the initiative has proven to be quite expensive for the residents of the District.
He stated that the city spends approximately 8 to $10 million per month. However, he emphasized the importance of treating these individuals as human beings and making the city a welcoming place.
Sanchez expressed that her time in the District has been instrumental in easing her adjustment to life in America.
“They provided me with the necessary resources to enroll my children in school,” she explained. “Additionally, they offered us assistance with food supplies.”
Sanchez expressed concern that with the decline in services, some migrants might be hesitant to seek assistance.
According to her, individuals are not inclined to visit a destination that does not provide assistance.
