LAS CRUCES - As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, Las Cruces has received and served 2,063 asylum seekers in total since federal authorities began dropping off migrants on April 12.

The total number of asylum seekers received Tuesday was 188. Wednesday, Las Cruces received 50 people before 1 p.m., according to a city news release.

The possible shelter locations include: Gospel Rescue Mission, El Caldito, Community of Hope, Crisis Triage, San Jose, and El Calvario (and the city is still exploring the use of Frank O’Brien Papen Center).

A regional Border Patrol official told Doña Ana County commissioners Tuesday the agency is dropping off migrants in Las Cruces because the sheer numbers arriving at the border are overwhelming the federal capacity to hold them. Local officials have called the situation a crisis because resources to serve the people dropped off are slim.

A total of 234 people were sheltered in Las Cruces over Tuesday night. While many migrants are routed onto buses or planes within about a day's span to go to other parts of the country, some must stay up to a few days until their travel arrangements are set. They're bound for sponsors and court hearings in other parts of the country.

Officials are asking volunteers and organizations that are assisting with the immigrants to provide a timesheet or list of hours to keep track of the amount of time/money spent.

The Salvation Army has committed to continue providing meals. They are off on Sundays, however.

Phones have been provided at some shelter sites, which is helping to reduce the time spent arranging travel plans, and they are allowing asylum seekers to communicate with their sponsors about their well-being, according to the city.

Portable showers and laundry facilities are being sought.

The Annunciation House in El Paso and El Calvario have taken in about 100 people, giving Las Cruces a little bit of relief, according to the city.

Read or Share this story: