San Diego Migrant Shelter Closes Amidst Federal Policy Shifts

The Jewish Family Service of San Diego, which has managed a regional migrant shelter for over six years, announced that it will close the shelter and lay off 115 staff members. The organization attributed this decision to changes in federal funding and policy, noting that adjustments under the Trump administration have forced them to reexamine their approach to meeting community needs.

In a related development, the cessation of the CBP One phone application has resulted in a significant drop in asylum-seeking families and individuals arriving at the shelter. Originally developed during the first Trump administration to assist with scheduling cargo inspections, the app later expanded in 2023 to allow migrants to make appointments at ports of entry. This change, coupled with renewed federal policies, has meant that the shelter no longer receives the same inflow of those released from short-term custody.

With this shift, the organization has announced that it will pause its migrant shelter services while keeping a close watch on further community needs. Instead of operating the shelter, Jewish Family Service is now focusing on providing free legal assistance and community support to vulnerable populations in San Diego. CEO Michael Hopkins emphasized the increased local demand for legal and social service resources, highlighting ongoing collaborations with community partners to explore alternative ways to offer help.

Additionally, it was revealed that despite the organization’s claim of not receiving new asylum-seeking cases, they had been allocated over $22 million in taxpayer-funded FEMA money during Fiscal Year 2024, according to public records. Officials from Jewish Family Service of San Diego and FEMA have yet to comment further on the issue.