A major migrant shelter in San Diego has shut down after more than six years of operation, citing recent federal policy changes that have halted new arrivals. The shelter, run by Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), officially closed its doors after the Biden administration ended its use of the CBP One app on January 20,.
The CBP One app previously allowed migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry, facilitating their legal entry into the United States. With its discontinuation, JFS has stopped receiving new asylum-seeking families and individuals, forcing the organization to lay off 115 employees. The shelter had been a critical resource for migrants, providing temporary housing, legal assistance, and other support services.
Despite the closure of its shelter, JFS has stated that it will continue offering pro bono legal services and connecting migrants to community resources. The organization expressed concerns about the ongoing need for migrant support in the region and urged federal and state agencies to address the situation. CEO Michael Hopkins stated:
We’ve been preparing for these changes in federal policies and enforcement. While there are no longer individuals or families seeking asylum released from short-term federal immigration custody to our Shelter Services, we are seeing increased needs for immigration legal assistance and other social service supports to vulnerable San Diegans. We’re also continuing to collaborate with our community partners to explore new ways to offer assistance.
