A few days after signing an Emergency Declaration over the anticipation of an influx of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to our region, Yates County Chairwoman Leslie Church released a statement explaining what factored into the decision:
“There is reasonable grounds to believe that the County of Yates could anticipate imminent, and an uncoordinated delivery of large numbers of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers into Yates County that creates a substantial threat of a humanitarian crisis and an undue burden of local services in the county.
“We do not have the resources to assist and care for undocumented immigrants and this would adversely impact the ability of the County to continue to provide an adequate level of services to all, including those County residents already dependent upon, or in need of, government services, including health services, social services, law enforcement services, educational services, and the many other services that the county and other local municipalities provide at taxpayer expense. Increased demands for services could include rental assistance, basic needs including health screenings and language interpreters, case management, legal services, and job placement assistance.
“Yates County is a diverse community that welcomes natural and legal immigration to our community.
“The Emergency Declaration issued on May 22 allows a pause for Yates County departments of Social Services, Public Health, Emergency Services, and Sheriff to plan for the anticipated needs of migrant arrival seeking asylum.”
