A migrant shelter in San Diego is closing its doors, leaving over 100 employees without jobs, due to significant changes in federal funding and policies under the Trump administration. The Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), which has operated a regional migrant shelter for more than six years, announced that it will be shutting down its facility and laying off 115 employees. This decision comes as a direct result of shifts in federal policies and funding, which have impacted the organization’s ability to continue providing shelter services to asylum-seeking families and individuals.
The closure of the shelter is closely tied to the shutdown of the CBP One phone app, a platform that allowed migrants to schedule appointments at U.S. ports of entry to seek parole into the country. The app, which was initially created during the first Trump administration to manage cargo inspections, was later expanded in 2023 to help migrants make appointments at ports of entry, particularly as an exception to the Title 42 public health order. By May 2023, the app became a pathway for migrants to be paroled into the U.S. as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to expand lawful migration pathways. As of December, over 936,500 individuals had used the app to schedule appointments for parole into the U.S., according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, when the app went offline on January 20, the flow of new asylum seekers into the San Diego shelter came to a halt.
The Jewish Family Service of San Diego, which operated the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter Services, has not received any new asylum-seeking families or individuals since the CBP One app stopped functioning. This abrupt cutoff, combined with broader changes in federal funding and policy, has forced the organization to pause its shelter services until there is greater clarity on future community needs. In a statement, JFS explained that it is shifting its focus to other forms of immigration support, such as providing pro bono legal services and community resources. The organization’s CEO, Michael Hopkins, emphasized that JFS has been preparing for these policy changes and is now seeing a growing demand for legal assistance and other social services for vulnerable populations in San Diego.
Despite the shutdown of its shelter services, JFS remains committed to supporting migrants and asylum seekers through other means. The organization is collaborating with community partners to explore new ways to offer assistance, reflecting its long-standing dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the community. However, the loss of the shelter and the layoffs of 115 employees mark a significant blow to the region’s capacity to provide aid to migrants. This situation highlights the challenges faced by NGOs and local communities as they navigate the complexities of federal immigration policies and funding uncertainties.
The shutdown of the San Diego migrant shelter also raises questions about the allocation of federal resources. According to grant records on the FEMA website, JFS received $22,077,365 in taxpayer-funded FEMA money during Fiscal Year 2024, despite claims that the organization had not received any funds. This discrepancy has drawn attention, with Fox News Digital reaching out to JFS and FEMA for clarification, though no immediate response was provided. The situation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the distribution of federal funds, particularly when such resources are critical to supporting vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, the closure of the San Diego migrant shelter operated by the Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a stark example of how changes in federal policies and funding can have far-reaching consequences for local communities and the organizations that serve them. As the U.S. continues to grapple with complex immigration issues, the shutdown of this shelter serves as a reminder of the human impact of policy decisions and the importance of ensuring that adequate support systems are in place for those seeking safety and opportunity in America.
