The group was the latest in a series of migrant drop-offs that began late last year and has been continuing on and off ever since. Local church volunteers have been working to accommodate them, but their resources have become increasingly strained.

Many of the migrants arriving Friday had been in the United States less than 24 hours. Some had waited at a port of entry at the Arizona-Mexico border for about two months to make their case for asylum.

They all had in their possession immigration-related documents given to them by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Many of them hadn't showered or didn't have a change of clothes, food and money. Some said they felt lucky volunteers showed up to help them provide temporary housing or a phone to call friends and relatives already living in the United States.