FONTANA - An estimated 50 immigrants carrying temporary visas arrived Thursday aboard Homeland Security buses at two churches in San Bernardino County that are working with federal agencies to help the families through the immigration process.

A white bus marked "Homeland Security" arrived at a Fontana church early Thursday as volunteers unloaded food and other supplies from other vehicles. Volunteers are expected to transport some of the passengers to Rialto, about five miles east of Fontana.

All of the arrivals are mothers with young children, who are carrying paperwork from ICE that will allow them to remain in the United States as they wait for immigration hearings, Diocese officials said. The families will likely remain at the churches, equipped with air mattresses, for about 24 hours, according to the Diocese.

Nearly all of the passengers are expected to be transported to the Midwest, authorities said.

Fontana police issued a statement on behalf of the city.

"The temporary placement of Central American Immigrants at the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Fontana is a humanitarian effort on the part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino in cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," the statement read.

"While the City of Fontana is understanding of the issues and concerns of residents on both sides of this issue, the City has no direct control over the policies of ICE or the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino. The City of Fontana will continue to monitor the situation for Code and Public Safety issues that may arise."

The plan for the undocumented immigrants, who crossed into the United States at the Texas-Mexico border, is to process them at local facilities before reuniting them with family members and social service organizations. (KNBC)

Story Date: July 16, 2014