Trump’s border policies lead to 96.4% drop in San Diego migrant encounters, shuttering major facilities and forcing massive layoffs at Catholic Charities and migrant support networks.
Key Takeaways
- San Diego Sector migrant apprehensions plummeted from 1,090 to just 38 per day, a 96.4% decrease from the previous year
- A 1,000-person migrant processing center in San Diego has been completely dismantled due to lack of need
- Catholic Charities and the San Diego Rapid Response Network laid off 188 employees as migrant support services become unnecessary
- The House is processing a $150 billion border security bill to further strengthen enforcement measures
- Similar processing centers in Texas that cost taxpayers approximately $10 million monthly have also been closed
Dramatic Decline in Border Crossings Transforms San Diego Operations
The impact of President Trump’s enhanced border policies has led to a remarkable transformation at the southern border, with the San Diego Sector experiencing a 96.4% reduction in illegal crossings. Border Patrol officials have closed a major migrant processing facility that previously housed up to 1,000 people, now deemed completely unnecessary with daily apprehensions averaging just 38 migrants compared to 1,090 during the previous administration. The facility’s closure represents a significant operational shift and substantial taxpayer savings.
“Due to the unprecedented decrease in illegal crossings this year, the massive 1,000 person, San Diego Sector Soft Sided Facility has been dismantled,” said San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker
The dramatic decrease in migrant encounters has rippled throughout San Diego’s network of nonprofit organizations that previously provided support services to migrants released into the United States. With President Trump’s termination of what he termed the “catch and release” policy, these organizations have experienced a crisis of a different kind – the complete evaporation of their client base.
Support Organizations Face Massive Layoffs
The enforcement-focused approach to border security has caused significant disruption for organizations that expanded during the surge of illegal immigration under the previous administration. Catholic Charities and the San Diego Rapid Response Network, which once operated extensive shelter networks for migrants awaiting immigration proceedings, have been forced to implement massive workforce reductions. Combined, these organizations have laid off 188 employees as the need for migrant sheltering and support services has virtually disappeared.
This dramatic shift extends well beyond San Diego. Similar processing centers throughout California and Texas have also been shuttered, including facilities that reportedly cost American taxpayers approximately $10 million per month to operate. These closures reflect the broader success of the administration’s border enforcement policies, which have prioritized national security and deterrence over processing and releasing migrants into the interior.
House Advances Major Border Security Funding
To further strengthen these successful border policies, the House is processing a massive spending bill allocating over $150 billion for border security, detention, and deportations. The comprehensive funding package aims to provide long-term resources for border barriers, detention facilities, and increased border security personnel. This historic investment underscores the administration’s commitment to maintaining the dramatic reductions in illegal crossings that have rendered the San Diego processing center obsolete.
The administration’s enforcement-first approach stands in stark contrast to previous policies that critics argue incentivized illegal immigration by allowing migrants to enter and remain in the country while awaiting immigration proceedings. With apprehensions averaging just 47 per day in the early months of the Trump administration – a far cry from the 1,090 daily average seen previously – the evidence clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of strong border policies in deterring illegal crossings.
A New Era in Border Security
The closure of major processing facilities and the layoffs at migrant support organizations mark a significant turning point in America’s approach to border security. These developments demonstrate that when the government adopts and consistently enforces strong border policies, the flow of illegal immigration can be dramatically reduced. This not only enhances national security but also alleviates the burden on border communities and taxpayers who previously shouldered the costs of processing, housing, and supporting thousands of migrants each month.
As additional enforcement measures are implemented and the proposed $150 billion in border security funding is allocated, the administration’s supporters expect these trends to continue, potentially bringing illegal crossings to historic lows across all border sectors. For the residents of San Diego and other border communities, the transformation represents a welcome return to normal operations and enhanced security after years of unprecedented migration challenges.
