SAN ANTONIO -- Approximately 8,000 people seeking asylum have passed through San Antonio since the end of March, and on Friday the City of San Antonio approved funding to help them.
- City of San Antonio approves aid for asylum seekers
- 8,000 have passed through city since March
- Aid goes to local nonprofits
The decision comes after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced there would be even more asylum seekers in the foreseeable future.
As a first generation American, San Antonio resident Albert Macias said when his family immigrated they had no idea what was available to them.
"They hope that with new families coming in or passing through get the help to make this an easy process for them." -- San Antonio resident Albert Macias.
The process just got a boost from the City of San Antonio.
"Thanks to the work of our nonprofits and the City of San Antonio volunteers that have worked together, they've kept the migrants in one location very close to the bus stop, offered them what they needed and not really affecting businesses nearby or the greater community," said Ana Sandoval, San Antonio councilwoman.
Now the city is setting aside funds to help groups like Catholic Charities, the Food Bank and Travis Park Church.
"We're going to put aside $141,000 that amounts to less than one-hundredth of one cent for every resident here in San Antonio," said Sandoval.
Approximately $86,000 will help the nonprofits pay for food, shelter and other necessities through June. The rest depends mostly on donations from the public.
READ MORE | Over 100 Immigrants Arrive Locally, Border Facilities at Capacity
After that, for every $2 the public donates, the city will donate $1.
"We're expecting an additional 100 a day so we're talking 300 to 400 people coming through our city that need this assistance,” said Sandoval. “Without us pitching in we don't know what would happen."
Now, Macias plans to help make this part of the journey, smoother for other families.