As many as 600 people participated in a protest on Wednesday evening at a Scottsdale hotel that is set to become a temporary shelter for migrants. Concerned residents held signs demanding the Biden administration “secure the border” outside the shelter located near residences, commercial properties, and a high school.
Arizona State Rep. Shawnna Bolick said in a tweet that she sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “to get answers to questions I have about a migrant detention facility located in the suburbs near a public school and neighborhood. I cc’d other local officials on the letter, hoping to get all of our questions answered.”
Today I sent a letter to the acting director at @ICEgov to get answers to questions I have about a migrant detention facility located in the suburbs near a public school and neighborhood. I cc’d other local officials on the letter, hoping to get all of our questions answered. pic.twitter.com/FfEBcicWSo
— Shawnna LM Bolick (@Bolick4AZ) June 2, 2021
According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, even the “lender, who stands to potentially receive some of the revenues from this contract, has itself voiced concerns that this dramatic change in use would require rezoning the property or at a minimum obtaining a variance.”
Rep. David Schweikert also asked for answers in a letter he sent to ICE.
RELATED ARTICLE: Schweikert Wants Answers, Community Input On Scottsdale Migrant Detention Center
Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega admonished residents who expressed concern. In an email, Ortega wrote:
Yesterday morning we were advised in person by ICE, they booked the entire hotel to reunite families privately and move them to airport within 48 hours for “99%” East Coast destinations.
City has no choice in the matter.
Feds say they are recognized, asylum seekers, not illegal border crossers, COVID tested and to be accountable to ICE.Feds control the closed-use property. They are exhausted and have no reason to run now.
“Remember you were once an alien”
Anyone living, working or visiting Scottsdale will be treated with respect and dignity– Mayor David Ortega.
Today I sent a letter to relevant parties urging them to reject a proposed contract with DHS that converts a Scottsdale hotel into an ICE detention facility for up to 1,200 migrant adults and children.
See my statement below.
Letter: https://t.co/u0C5fEzGUs pic.twitter.com/aRInOUe1gb
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) June 2, 2021