A migrant shelter in San Diego is shutting down and laying off over 100 employees due to shifts in “federal funding and policy” under the Trump administration.
Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), which has operated the regional shelter for more than six years, announced the closure and the dismissal of 115 employees, citing “changes in federal funding and policy.”
“JFS is working to adapt to evolving community needs in light of recent and expected federal policy changes,” the organization previously stated.
The NGO reported that it has not received any new asylum-seeking families or individuals since January 20, when the CBP One phone app became unavailable.
Originally developed during the Trump administration to facilitate cargo inspection scheduling, the CBP One app was later expanded in 2023, allowing migrants to book appointments at ports of entry to enter the U.S. Initially, this was part of an exemption under the Title 42 public health order. Since May, migrants using the app have had the opportunity to be paroled into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s broader “lawful pathways” initiative.
By the end of December, over 936,500 people had secured parole appointments through the app, according to Customs and Border Protection.
“Without access to the CBP One application, the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter Services, operated by JFS, has not received new asylum-seeking families or individuals released from short-term federal custody into our care,” the organization explained. “Due to these changes in federal funding and policy, SDRRN Migrant Shelter Services will be paused until there is more clarity on future community needs.”
JFS stated that it will now focus on providing pro bono legal services and community support resources.
“We’ve been preparing for these shifts in federal policies and enforcement,” said CEO Michael Hopkins. “While our shelter services are no longer receiving asylum-seeking individuals or families from short-term federal custody, we are witnessing increased demand for immigration legal assistance and other social support services for vulnerable San Diegans. We are also continuing to work with community partners to explore new ways to offer assistance.”
Despite claims of receiving no funding, grant records from FEMA show that JFS was awarded $22,077,365 in taxpayer-funded FEMA money for Fiscal Year 2024.
Good, now our tax money can be used for AMERICANS and not people here in America illegally. How many billions of our tax dollars is spent on these people while we have homeless veterans on the streets?? They lie about seeking asylum. That was an excuse Biden gave them to use to enter America. Then the democrats were going to use them as voters after GIVING them citizenship and then remind them who let them in the country when they went to vote. Democrat corruption.
So now thye want to give them free legal help? They entered the country illegally. Let them pay for their own legal help for what good it will do. America wants these people gone.