In an interview with CBS News on Thursday, Yuma, Ariz., Mayor Douglas Nichols said he has repeatedly called on the Biden administration to activate FEMA to help border cities, but that he will not do so for political reasons. said.
Mr. Nichols said:[R]really, really what we needed, and [I] In fact, we have intentionally asked FEMA to intervene on numerous occasions. This is not something a city can deal with. We don't give food to people. We don't house people. Who do you think will do it? FEMA does. They take up residence in emergencies and feed in emergencies. And that is exactly what we are facing. So it's perplexing to me and most people along the border why the federal government hasn't activated FEMA to do its job here along the border. ”
He added that invoking FEMA “was discussed when I was in the room.” But when I'm not, I don't think it gets discussed much. ”
Nichols added: “I think a lot of it has to do with perspective, but unfortunately it comes down to a political tug of war. The laws that are on the law now have been on the law for decades. Yes, it needs to be updated, but every administration, President Obama and President Trump, have been able to create effective policies under these current laws. I don't believe that they're going in that direction, and that if they do go in that direction, the first thing they need to do is declare some kind of emergency that can trigger FEMA. You will recognize it. And it's not a question, it just happens.”
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