The federal government began reimbursing the county, during Trump’s first administration in 2019, for the cost of short-term services and shelter for migrants who had just crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, many seeking asylum.
Border officials in Arizona processed these migrants and brought many to Casa Alitas in Tucson.
This March, the Trump administration said they would temporarily withhold reimbursements of the congressionally-approved funding, while still owing the county $12 million, according to the Pima County Attorney's Office.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover says the withheld funds would be a tremendous loss.
“We look forward to going into court and asking that court to direct the Department of Homeland Security to make good for the taxpayers of Pima County,” she said.
Pima County joined Chicago and Denver in Friday’s lawsuit, which says the government owes plaintiffs tens of millions in reimbursements.
